The first step: Make sure you’ve already applied to the Riverside Community College District and that you’re eligible to attend Moreno Valley College. You’ll also need proof of either graduation from High School or have your GED. You need to have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 in classes taken at Moreno Valley College, and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in classes taken at other accredited colleges. What does that mean? Simply, it means DON’T get any D’s or F’s. Even if you DO bomb out on some classes, you can always retake them. The dental hygiene program at Moreno Valley College will accept the highest grade earned. For the prerequisite science courses, you need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. MVC Dental Hygiene program prerequisites:
One of the benefits of the dental hygiene program at Moreno Valley College compared to other dental hygiene schools in California: the MVC program allows you to have up to THREE of the prerequisite courses in progress when you apply. This simply means, you don’t have to have ALL your prerequisites completed when you apply, but they DO have to be finished before the actual dental hygiene program begins. So, as long as you have completed at least 8 of the prerequisite classes, you can apply while still taking the last 3 prerequisites.
Technically, there’s a waiting list…..which is explained below. But for the most part, students who aren’t accepted need to reapply each year. And as you’ll see by the end of this paragraph, residency in the Riverside Community College District gives you preference during the selection process. Which basically means, if you’re not a resident in the RCCD area, good luck getting in. So, for the Fall 2017 program, your application to the dental hygiene program must be in by March 15th, 2017.
The application window is December 1st, 2016 to March 15th 2017. The dental hygiene program at Moreno Valley College doesn’t have a waiting list. What they Do have is a selection process which gives preference to prospective students who live within the Riverside Community College District who have attended at least 1 semester within the previous 2 years. There are a total of 20 available slots for the Moreno Valley dental hygiene program. Like all dental hygiene schools in California, the MVC program is extremely competitive.
After all applications have been accepted, a random drawing is held to choose the 20 students. There will be an additional random drawing of 20 students. The students from this second drawing will be given a waiting list number to take any spots that may open up before the program begins. An example of an open slot would be if 1 of the initial 20 students decided not to begin the program. The brochure for the Moreno Valley dental hygiene program states that a higher GPA and/or dental experience don’t factor in at all for the selection process. So to sum it all up: Meet the minimum GPA, meet the residency requirements, and it’ll be the luck of the draw! Don’t live in the RCCD area? Bummer…..
The fees and costs of the dental hygiene program at Moreno Valley College are pretty much the same as the other dental hygiene programs in the other California Community College system programs. The tuition still stands at $46 per unit, which comes out to approximately $2,800. As with other schools, the largest expenditure is purchasing the “dental hygienist kit”. This “kit” can be as much as $3,000 or higher. Although the Moreno Valley College brochure doesn’t say whether or not the “kit” can be purchased elsewhere or only through the school, most of the other programs I’ve checked out have stated that the kits must be purchased directly through the program.
The brochure lists the cost of scrubs/uniforms as approximately $100 for the duration of the dental hygiene program, supplies and books at $3,000, student fees at $40 for the entire program, and $66 for Malpractice Insurance. There is also the cost of having an up-to-date American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers course. They have a fee of $18 per semester for Health Services. So, all-in-all, it’s an expensive 60 unit program. Of course, the payoff once you’re done with the program will be more than worth it!
Moreno Valley College Dental Hygiene 951-571-6100 16130 Lasselle Street Moreno Valley, CA 92551
One of the most important roles for a dental hygienist is educating their patients in proper oral care, followed by examining the patient’s teeth and gums. Of course, this takes a great deal of training, and a set of qualifications. In California, ALL of the dental hygiene programs are approximately 60 units, and that’s AFTER at least 30 units of prerequisites! For the properly motivated person going through the education requirements is something that can be done, however, you just need to ensure that you’re setting yourself up for success. The payoff for all your hard work is a great career with a terrific salary. The average dental hygienist salary increases year over year as the population ages and face oral health challenges. The following is going to be a little bit of information on the purpose, requirements and considerations are looking toward becoming a dental hygienist.
You need to be properly trained to deal with oral health issues. Taking x-rays and organizing reports for a dentist’s evaluation requires a particular type of education and training. Oral health is serious business and although the job can be very enjoyable it’s important to take your education seriously and find that this is the job you want to do.
First off, a high school diploma or GED equivalent focusing on plenty of math a lot of hard sciences to be key to set yourself up for success and to meet the prerequisites of the dental hygiene programs. Then, you must pass a dental hygiene program that is properly accredited prior to moving on to either a certificate or a degree program. Depending on your overall career aspirations you can obtain this associates, a bachelor’s or even go so far as to get your masters.
After your schooling is done, you must become licensed, both on the national level and in the state where you will be practicing dental hygiene. You must also be good at working with people, because this is a critical component of your job. You will be working with an office full of dental professionals, as well as patients. If this is the career you’re looking toward your choosing one that has a lot of opportunity. Choosing to go into a career as a dental hygienist is a great one.