Dear Applicant: You have indicated an interest in pursuing a career in Dental Hygiene. Enclosed are all the necessary instructions and forms for your application to the Dental Hygiene Program at Lamar Institute of Technology. Applications are due by February 1 st of each year, or the next business day if the 1 st falls on a weekend. The LIT Dental Hygiene Program Mission is to produce entry level dental hygienists who meet the oral health care needs of the public. A graduate of this two-year instructional program is awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree. The LIT Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. Applicants are expected to complete the pre-admission courses prior to admission into the program. Completed application form and transcripts must be sent to the Dental Hygiene Admission Committee by February 1st for consideration into the program. A minimum grade of C must be earned in all courses outlined in the program of study. In addition, a grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained in all courses submitted on the degree plan to obtain the Associate of Applied Science Degree. Students in the Dental Hygiene Program must pass the written National Board Exam and a regional clinical examination. Passing both of these exams earns the graduate a license and the title of Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). Additional information regarding a career in Dental Hygiene can be found at: www.adha.org We look forward to receiving your credentials and if you need additional assistance, call (409)880-8846, or email me at rftornwall@lit.edu. Sincerely, Ruth F. Tornwall Ruth F. Tornwall, RDH, MS Interim Program Director Lamar Institute of Technology 0
Admission Information The Dental Hygiene Program requires a 2.3 minimum GPA, completion of BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402, and passing scores on all sections of the TSI Test. The cumulative GPA is used which includes all college coursework including transfer, academic and technical courses. Health Status will be considered only as it relates to the individual s ability to safely carry out the normal assignments associated with the program of study and the individual s long term health. Technical Standards/Essential Functions Allied Health programs establish technical standards and essential functions to insure that students have the abilities required to participate and potentially be successful in all aspects of the respective programs. Some of the technical standards may be met with reasonable accommodations. If accommodations are needed, it is the student s responsibility to comply with the procedures set forth by the LIT Office of Special Populations. If a student is unable to meet all of the outlined standards, he/she may be withdrawn from the program. The following are categories of essential functions that Allied Health students should demonstrate to be successful: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral and social attributes. Observation: Ability to participate actively in all demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and clinical experiences in the professional program component and to assess and comprehend the condition of all patients assigned to him/her for examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Such observation and information usually requires functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensations. Communication: Ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, non-verbal and written formats with faculty, other students, patients, families and all members of the healthcare team. Motor: Sufficient motor ability to execute the movement and skills required for safe and effective care and emergency treatment. Intellectual: Ability to collect, interpret and integrate information and make decisions. Behavioral and Social Attributes: Possess the emotional health and stability required for full utilization of the student s intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with clients and other members of the health care team. Curriculum 1
The Dental Hygiene Program is 24 months in length. All dental hygiene courses must be taken in the sequence presented in the degree plan. Cost Dental hygiene students pay tuition at the rates published in the Lamar Institute of Technology catalog. Students should, however, be aware of additional costs beyond the typical college student. Dental hygiene students are required to purchase instruments, uniforms, gloves, masks, and miscellaneous supplies used during the educational program. Dental Hygiene Services Dental hygiene students utilize knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom and lab and apply those concepts in the Dental Hygiene Clinic. All students provide dental hygiene services (patient education, oral exam, dental exam, scaling, root debridement, radiographs, topical chemotherapeutic agents, and preventive agents) to selected patients in the Dental Hygiene Clinic located in the Multipurpose Center. Employment Opportunities Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program should expect employment in their field of study. Employment opportunities in the area include private practice, prison system, and educational systems. Employment rates are favorable, however, not as favorable as areas where significant need have been identified. 2
Terms and Conditions for Admission Selective Admission Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is selective and the number of admitted students is based on facilities constraints. Admission to Lamar Institute of Technology does not guarantee admission to the Dental Hygiene Program A point system is utilized to rank the applicants. Students will be awarded points for each criteria listed below. The highest ranking students will receive full acceptance. Required Academic Courses. BIOL 2301 Anatomy & Physiology I with BIOL 2101 Lab BIOL 2302 Anatomy & Physiology II with BIOL 2102 Lab ENGL 1301 Composition I PSYC 2301 General Psychology SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology HUMA 1315 Fine Arts Appreciation CHEM 1306 Introduction to Chemistry with CHEM 1106 Lab BIOL 2320 Introduction to Microbiology with BIOL 2120 Lab The grade point equivalent for each of the required general education courses which are completed with a grade of 'C' or better (A = 4, B = 3, C=2) will be added to the student rank score. Science support courses (Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry) will receive the following: A=8, B=6, C=2 point(s) for each grade. In instances when support courses or general education courses have been repeated, an average of same course grades will be used during the ranking process. Students can only retake a course once to improve their ranking. Grade Point Average. Overall College GPA is added to the applicant s rank score. A minimum GPA of 2.3 is required for admission to the program. Dental Experience. One point will be awarded for a certification in Dental Assisting or for foreign trained dentists. Dental Hygiene Observation. The applicant will earn.5 points for 20 hours of dental hygiene observation within 2 years prior to application. A Verification of Observation Form is included in this application. Conditional Acceptance Applicants will be notified in writing concerning the disposition of their application around mid April. Acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program is conditional, pending all deadline and documentation requirements. These include but are not limited to a satisfactory criminal background check and documentation of immunizations. If any stated requirements in an individual s acceptance letter are not met, the position will be forfeit. Students who are not accepted into the program must repeat the application process the following year. 3
APPLICATION CHECK LIST A complete application packet includes the following: 1. Proof of admission to Lamar Institute of Technology. Your LIT Identification number is adequate proof. All applicants must meet TSI (testing) requirements. The Dental Hygiene Program requires the TSI status to be complete or exempt. 2. Submit all official, sealed college transcripts for colleges/universities attended, including any from courses taken at Lamar Institute of Technology. Official transcripts must be sealed and included in the application packet. Colleges should not send transcripts to the Dental Hygiene Program or the Department of Allied Health & Sciences Office. 3. The completed Dental Hygiene Application Courses Completed Form (pg. 6 of this application). 4. The completed Dental Hygiene Program Observation Form (pg. 7 of this application). 5. Copy of the Dental Assisting National Board Certification, if applicable. Must be current. 6. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. No exceptions. It is the applicant s responsibility to assure that all supporting documents are on file by the deadline. DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING COMPLETE APPLICATION FEBRUARY 1 ST Application packets can be mailed or personally delivered to the following: Mailing address: Personal Delivery Address: Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee Lamar Institute of Technology Lamar Institute of Technology PO Box 10061 Multi Purpose Building, Office 218 Beaumont, TX 77710 Lamar Institute of Technology is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educational institution and employer. Students, faculty and staff members are selected without regard to their race, color, creed, sex, age, handicap or national origin, consistent with the Assurance of compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Inquiries concerning application of these regulations may be referred to the Director of Human Resources. 4
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Personal Contact Information Date: Name: Phone No: T Number: e-mail address: Date of Birth: Address Street: City: State, Zip: Permanent Mailing Address Street: City: State, Zip: 1. Have you ever had a misdemeanor conviction/deferred adjudication or felony conviction/deferred adjudication involving crimes against persons? If yes, explain. 2. Have you ever had a misdemeanor conviction/deferred adjudication related to moral turpitude? If yes, explain. 3. Have you ever had a felony conviction/deferred adjudication for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics? If yes, explain. 4. Are you a registered sex offender? 5. Do you have any medical condition which may limit you in performing the duties of a health care professional? If yes, explain. 6. Have you ever attended another Dental Hygiene School? If yes, give name of school and how many semesters attended. I hereby certify the information contained in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand any misrepresentation or falsification of information is cause for denial of admission to any Allied Health Program or expulsion from Lamar Institute of Technology. I understand that information contained in this application will be read by faculty and/or staff of Lamar Institute of Technology Allied Health admissions personnel. Signature of Applicant Date 5
Dental Hygiene Application Pre-Enrollment Courses Completed Prerequisite Courses Name of School Course Number BIOL 2301 Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL 2101 Anatomy & Physiology I Lab BIOL 2302 Anatomy & Physiology II BIOL 2302 Anatomy & Physiology II Lab Support Courses Name of School Course Number CHEM 1306 Introduction to Chemistry CHEM 1106 Introduction to Chemistry Lab BIOL 2320 Introduction to Microbiology BIOL 2120 Introduction to Microbiology Lab ENGL 1301 Composition I SOCI 1301 Introductory Sociology HUMA 1315 Fine Arts Appreciation PSYC 2301 General Psychology Year Year Grade Grade 6
Lamar Institute of Technology Dental Hygiene Program Observation Verification Sheet Date Dental Office Name & Address Hygienist s Name and Signature Hours Observed A total of 20 observation hours must be documented to receive 0.5 pts. 7