Dental Hygiene Technology

To meet graduation requirements for this program, students must successfully complete the specified courses listed below with a “C” average (GPA of 2.00) or better. A grade of “C” or higher is required in each DHT course to progress in the program. All coursework must be passed.

In addition to general admission requirements, all of the following must be complete to meet the minimum requirements for the dental hygiene program:

• A complete application for admission to Meridian Community College
• Attain an 18 composite score on the ACT
• Submit all transcripts (high school and college) and official ACT scores, to the Admission Office by April 30th
• Submit a handwritten autobiographical information sheet and proof of four (4) hours observation in a dental clinic (faxed to the Dental Hygiene Department at 601-581-3525) by the April 30^th deadline. → Download Here
• Complete all prerequisites with a “C” average or above
• Complete Anatomy and Physiology I and II within five (5) years prior to admission
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average) or higher on all previous college coursework. Final college transcripts must be received by May 21st.
• All applicants must attend a DHT Information Session. Applicants will receive notice about the Information Session once all of their documents have been received.

 

The DHT Admissions Committee will select each year’s class from the pool of applicants who meet minimum requirements. Any application with incomplete records will not be considered for admission.  The admission process is competitive, and completion of minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission. 

Priority consideration for admission will be given as follows:

1. In-district students who complete program prerequisites and/or general education coursework at MCC;
2. Out-of-district students who complete program prerequisites and/or general education coursework at MCC;
3. Mississippi residents who complete program prerequisites and/or general education coursework elsewhere;
4. Out-of-state students. 
5. Check with the Health Education advisor for selection details and deadlines.

Prior to classes beginning, students are required to receive the Hepatitis-B vaccination (or present physician’s statement stating that this vaccination is not advisable). Students are also required to obtain a CPR Healthcare Provider (two year) certification  from the American Heart Association; including infant and child, also use of defibrillator and proof of immunization for MMR and varicella. A Mantoux Two-Step TB Skin Test and drug screening will be scheduled after enrollment. All these conditions must be met prior to the start of clinical training.

All students admitted into the program will be required to pay for fingerprinting and background checks, which will be performed after admission and prior to clinical laboratories. These fees will be attached as registration fees. For additional information, please contact the Health Education Advisor.

Students in the Dental Hygiene Technology Program must attend MCC full time (15 or more semester credit hours).

Performance in the following Dental Hygiene prerequisite academic core courses is used in computing an applicant’s admission ranking:

MCC’s Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without  reporting requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312.440.4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: www.ada.org/en/coda.

Graduates of the program are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene and are eligible to write the National Board of Dental Examiners as well as individual state board examinations for dental hygiene.

MCC’s Dental Hygiene Technology program is a program that meets the education requirements for a Dental Hygiene license in MS, and qualifies graduates to take the National Board of Dental Examiners and individual state board examinations for dental hygiene. 

Determinations about whether the Dental Hygiene Technology program at MCC meets the state education requirements for US States, Territories, and the District of Columbia can be found here.

• Admissions Checklist
• Admission Criteria Points Scale
• Applicant Information Sheet
• Verification of Observation Hours