Welcome to the Department of Dental Hygiene
The Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree program is designed to prepare competent dental hygiene professionals, capable of providing quality dental hygiene care in a variety of settings within a changing health care system, and a culturally diverse society. Students gain skills and knowledge required to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) and American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Hygiene Examination, and learn to practice in a manner consistent with the highest standards set forth by the ADA/CODA, ADHA, OSHA, CDC, EPA and Massachusetts General Laws pertinent to health care providers/settings, including the State Dental Practice Act. Service-learning is infused in the Dental Hygiene coursework including the clinical experiences.
Students who wish to pursue a career as a dental hygienist in public health, health management, forensics, health education or dental hygiene education are encouraged to transfer to a baccalaureate program after graduation.
According to the 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national dental hygiene average wage was $89,890 and the Massachusetts state average for full-time hygienists was $96,410 with a median hourly wage of $46.35 as of May 2023. Job prospects for dental hygienists are projected to grow 7% from 2022- 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow as a result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force. Because graduates are permitted to practice only in the state in which they are licensed, prior to 2022, hygienists wishing to practice in areas that have an abundance of dental hygiene programs, may have experienced strong competition for jobs. Currently, dental hygienists are in high demand with many opportunities for full-time, part-time, and temporary employment.
Students accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program must complete CORI/SORI background
checks and health clearance in compliance with the Health Programs Health Requirements
Policy (HPHRP) in order to participate in clinical education. These records are managed
by the Health Compliance and Data Coordinator, and held in Castlebranch, a secure
electronic system used to store student information. Only pertinent information that
is determined as creating special needs in planning the clinical experience will be
shared with the program director.
Students accepted to the Dental Hygiene Program must be in compliance with the HPHRP
including current immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health for Health Care Personnel (HCP) in order to participate in Community
Outreach experiences. Students may also be required to meet additional requirements
of the particular clinical agency to which they are assigned. These requirements
may include, but are not limited to site specific CORI/SORI background inquiries,
fingerprinting, and drug screening. Fees may be associated with these screenings
for which the student may be responsible to pay. For more information on what is
included and required of the HPHRP, please contact the the Health Compliance and Data
Coordinator, Kori Boeckeler, boeckelerk@middlesex.edu.
Students who are not in compliance with these site specific requirements will not
be allowed to participate in Community Outreach experiences, which may jeopardize
their ability to continue in the program.
All information regarding the health status on an individual is considered confidential,
and protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1994.
Once admitted, Dental Hygiene Students recieve their own instruments and supplies,
as well as lab coat laundry service as coordinated through the dental hygiene department.
Supply kit fees will be included in the first and second semester tuition and fees
at a cost of $1000 each semester, totaling $2000. This amount is subject to change.
Accreditation and Licensure
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.
Dental Hygiene Applications
Admission requirements and due dates for the Dental Hygiene Program may be found by clicking here. 24 students are admitted to the professional class in the Fall semester only.
For additional admission information call 1-800-818-3434 or email admissions@middlesex.edu
New and Returning Clinic Patients
Dental hygiene services are available to the public in our Dental Hygiene Clinic at a significantly reduced cost. Fall clinic appointments are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Spring appointments are available Tuesday through Friday. To make an appointment, please call the clinic phone/voicemail at 978-656-3250.
You can also visit the dental hygiene clinic website for more information.
For Further Information Contact:
Christine Lombardo, Department Chair for Dental Hygiene, lombardoc@middlesex.edu 978-656-3051