Thank you for considering Northeast Texas Community College and our Dental Hygiene Program. We are committed to supporting the success of our students personally, educationally, and professionally. One way we can support your success is to introduce you to the program requirements and the role of the dental hygienist. Northeast Texas Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status or disability.

The Program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. The Commission is specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. A copy of the accreditation standards and the Commission’s policy on third party comments are available of review. The Commission can be contacted at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678 or telephone (312) 440-4653. The next program site visit by the Commission is planned for 2014.

Program Mission
NTCC Dental Education Program is dedicated to educating and training Dental Health Care Professionals (DHCP) through core values in order for graduates to accept their roles in the professional and general communities.

Six Core Values:

1. Demonstrating excellence in teaching
2. Empowering students to think critically
3. Guiding students in the development of professional and ethical behavior
4. Teaching methods for achieving excellent technical skills
5. Imbuing the desire for continued professional excellence
6. Giving back to the community that which they give to us

Program Philosophy

The philosophy of the Dental Hygiene Program is twofold: (1) To provide an educational environment that promotes problem solving, self-discipline and self-esteem in acquiring the skills necessary to provide preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene care to the public; (2) To encourage students to recognize the need for continued growth by actively supporting their chosen profession, participating in community activities, and continuing their education, “in the interest of the dental hygiene profession and the public it serves.”

Program Goals

In order to prepare students for licensure as dental hygienists and to meet job requirements needed to participate in the delivery of dental health care to the public, our goals are to provide the students with opportunities:

1. To maintain a state-of-the-art dental hygiene program that is consistent with the mission of the college.
   
   
2. To provide an environment that fosters a respect for the ADHA Professional Code of Ethics and Conduct and assures recognition and acceptance of the responsibilities of the profession of dental hygiene
   
   
3. To prepare professional, competent, entry-level dental hygienists who demonstrate:
   1. An awareness of their present and future roles and responsibilities in the community
   2. An understanding of their role as a member of the dental health team
   3. A concern for the total well-being of patients in addition to their dental needs
   4. The ability and motivation needed to educate patients in oral health
   5. The knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide optimum dental hygiene care within the framework of total patient care.
      
      
4. To prepare the graduates of the basic two year curriculum in dental hygiene for:
   1. Successful completion of the Dental Hygiene National Board
   2. Successful completion of the Dental Hygiene Texas State Board Examination