ADMISSIONS/READMISSION POLICY

I. Admissions Policy

A. All students apply through the Admissions Office according to the admission procedures as stated in the BCC College Catalog.

B. All students must meet the "Academic Preparation for Admissions to College Curricula" for Dental Hygiene as stated in the BCC College Catalog.

Required High School subjects:
1. Math Level I: Regents Course 1 or Math A or
Applied Math I and II or
Algebra I or
Equivalent (minimum grade 74)

2. Regents Biology or
Applied Science I and II or
Equivalent (minimum grade 74)

3. Chemistry or
Equivalent (minimum grade 74)

C. The competitive admission process is applied to only the students meeting the minimum requirements.

D. Students not admitted into the fall dental hygiene class must re-apply the following year through the Admissions Office to repeat the competitive admission process.

E. Students not meeting the minimum requirements may be placed into the Liberal Arts Interested in Health (LA-IH) Program to complete pre-requisites. Upon successful completion of all required courses students then apply through the Admissions Office to go through the competitive admission process.

F. BCC offers admissions to the College and opportunities in any aspect of the College's business regardless of the applicants race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation or disability that would not interfere with providing services to patients.

II. Readmission Policy

A. Personal/Medical Withdrawal

Students who are in good academic standing but chose to withdraw from the program for personal/medical reasons may petition the following year for continuation in the Program.

B. Academic dismissal

1. All students attending BCC are subject to the "Policy of Standards for Academic Progress" as defined in the BCC catalog.

2. Students accepted into Dental Hygiene are also subject to "Dismissal,
Readmittance for Degree Programs" as stated in the BCC catalog. In accordance
with this policy the Dental Hygiene Department has set the following policy for
students who fail one or more introductory courses in the Department's major
sequence:

Students failing DEN 101, DEN 103, DEN 108 and/or 109 are dismissed from the Program, but not necessarily from the College.

3. Students waiting to be re-admitted into the next freshman class must re-apply through the competitive admissions process.

III. Completion of the Dental Hygiene Program

All students are required to complete the dental hygiene curriculum within four years from the time they are accepted into the DEN professional courses in order to graduate from the Program.

Department Policy Adopted: January 31, 1996

TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENTS

Students admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program must complete course requirements that necessitate the abilities below.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association mandates dental hygiene program standards.

Students with documented disabilities are entitled to appropriate accommodations under the law to assist them in meeting academic requirements. Disability documentation should be submitted to the Student Support Services Program to determine appropriate accommodations.

1. Comprehension - Must be able to interpret, understand and apply abstract concepts from general studies, biomedical, dental, dental hygiene and clinical sciences. Must be able to process and follow directions related to dental hygiene treatment.

2. Analysis - Must be able to interpret patient findings, recognize anomalies and make decisions that affect patient care. Must be able to visualize and apply spatial relationships to instrumentation skills, radiographic skills and a variety of clinical skills.

3. Writing - Must be able to write clear, legible and accurate notations on clinical records including patient charts. Must be able to develop accurate and complete drawings and written descriptions of clinical findings. Must be able to organize thoughts and ideas into written essays and research papers.

4. Calculation - Must be able to count pulse and respiration and time various clinical procedures. Must be able to measure and mix chemicals, dental materials and various clinical agents. Must be able to compute dental indices and statistics and other mathematical computations required in classroom or clinical procedures.

5. Test Taking Skills - Must be able to successfully complete standardized tests and other classroom, laboratory and clinical tests.

6. Physical Ability - Must be able to perform clinical procedures. Must be able to perform basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assist in emergency procedures.

7. Mobility - Must be able to move freely from place to place to perform clinical procedures and use dental equipment.

8. Dexterity - Must be able to manipulate dental and dental hygiene instruments, materials and equipment.

9. Vision - Must be able to read charts, records, small print, typed and handwritten notations. Must be able to observe changes in patient status and distinguish colors both extra and intraorally. Must be able to discern shades of black and white for dental radiographic interpretation.

10. Equipment Operation - Must be able to operate equipment related to dental hygiene treatment. Equipment includes, but is not limited to: blood pressure, crepitation, ultrasonic, sonic and other equipment.

11. Communication - Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively to patients, dental health team members and community groups.

12. Touch - Must be able to distinguish between various textures, sizes and shapes and be able to palpate tissue during the extra, intraoral examination.

13. Smell - Must be able to distinguish the smells (odors) of various drugs, solutions and materials used in the dental setting.

14. Interpersonal Skills - Must be able to establish sufficient rapport to effectively relate to patients, dental health team members and community groups. Must be able to demonstrate concern and empathy for a diverse pool of clinic patients.

15. Professional Behavior - Must be able to maintain composure during stressful situations. Must be able to demonstrate ethical behavior and decision making. Must be able to use constructive criticism for self-improvement.

CHEMICAL IMPAIRMENT POLICY

The Health Sciences Faculty defines the chemically impaired student as a person who, while in the academic or clinical setting, is under the influence of, or has abused, either separately or in combination: alcohol, over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs, prescribed medications, inhalants, or synthetic designer drugs.

LATEX ALLERGY/SENSITIVITY

Latex allergy/sensitivity is a growing concern for health care professionals. Our facility on campus has an open clinic design. Therefore, a student with a latex allergy wearing alternative vinyl or nitrile gloves is still exposed to the latex residue of others working in that area. If you have latex sensitivity you may want to consult with your personal physician prior to entering a health care profession

NOTICE OF CRIMINAL RECORD (FELONY)

Individuals who have been found guilty, or pleaded guilty to a felony, may not be eligible for dental hygiene licensure. The State Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. Contact NYS Office of the Professions for further information at www.op.nysed.gov.