Competencies for the Dental Hygiene Graduate identifies and organizes the knowledge, skills and attitudes our graduates must attain for entry level into dental hygiene practice in public and private settings. The competencies include the domains recognized by the American Dental Hygiene Association, the American Dental Association, the Council on Dental Accreditation, and the American Dental Education Association. The domains include Professionalism (ethics, values, skill and knowledge integral to all aspects of the profession), Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, Patient Care, Role in the Community, and Professional Growth and Development.

1. Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and medically compromised patient.

2. Graduates must be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care which includes:
a. Assessment: The systematic collection and analysis of the following data to identify patient needs and oral health problems.
b. Planning: The establishment of realistic goals and treatment strategies to facilitate optimal oral health.
c. Implementation: Provision of treatment as identified in the assessment and planning phase.
d. Evaluation: Measurement of the extent to which goals identified in the treatment plan
were achieved.

3. Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all types of classifications of periodontal disease including patients who exhibit moderate to severe periodontal disease.

4. Graduates must be competent in interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups.

5. Graduates must be competent in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating community based oral health programs including, health promotion and disease prevention activities.

6. Graduates must be competent in providing appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.

7. Graduates must be competent in applying ethical, legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.

8. Graduates must be competent in the application of self-assessment skills to prepare them for life- long learning.

9. Graduates must be competent in the evaluation of current scientific literature.

10. Graduates must be competent in problem solving strategies (critical thinking and decision-making skills) related to comprehensive patient care and management of patients.