Do you like helping people and enjoy working with your hands as well as your mind? Dental hygienists help prevent disease while assisting patients to maintain optimum oral health. They are important members of the dental health care team who work with dentists to provide dental care to the community. Hygienists use their knowledge and clinical skills as well as their interpersonal skills to motivate and instruct.
Dental hygiene holds exceptional career opportunities for both men and women. Dental Hygienists are one of the highest paid allied health professionals. At least two years of college (combining classroom and clinical experience) is necessary to become a registered dental hygienist. SUNY Broome is the perfect place to receive your Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene.
Achieving Success as a DH Student
The SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene program is a two-year course of study consisting of a full-time schedule with daytime classes (M-F). In addition to demanding your physical presence, these lectures, labs, and clinics will each involve a considerable amount of preparation and study time. In addition to college tuition, each student will be responsible for purchasing books, uniforms, instruments, and other required supplies. It is important to plan for these personal and financial demands and to be realistic as to how they may impact upon you as a student. The rigorous academic demands of the program require a student to be organized and to possess well developed study habits and note-taking skills. Dental hygienists function as part of a team; therefore strong communication and inter-personal skills are essential. Potential students should be without vision, neck, shoulder, back or wrist problems which may be aggravated by the physical requirements of the profession. These physical conditions may impede a student’s ability to participate in the required clinical components of the program.
Is this the right career for you?
- Would you enjoy working directly with patients to help them improve their oral health?
Dental hygienists work closely with patients while providing a variety of services such as oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planning, polishing, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, nutrition counseling, radiographs, etc. The dental hygienist is an integral part of treating diseases of the gums such as gingivitis and periodontal disease as well teaching the patient how to take care of their teeth and gums. As a dental hygienist, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to work in partnership with your patients to help them achieve optimal oral health. - Are you interested in a program that can often be completed in 2 years?
The Dental Hygiene curriculum prepares students for the contemporary practice of dental hygiene. Graduates are qualified to take written and practical licensure examinations for immediate employment. - Would you like a job with flexible hours and part-time employment?
Dental hygienists typically do not practice on weekends and holidays. Instead they are able to arrange a flexible full or part-time patient schedule with working hours ranging from early morning to early evening. Dental hygienists often have a day off during the workweek to accommodate personal responsibilities. - Would you like to work in a dental office as part of a health care team?
Private practice dental offices provide the most common type of dental setting in which Registered Dental Hygienists are employed. Dental hygienists are an important aspect of the dental team. - Can I transfer credits into the Dental Hygiene Curriculum?
You can become a licensed registered dental hygienist in two years. Many of the students transfer credits into this curriculum to lighten their course load. If you already have an Associates or Bachelor’s degree many of the course requirements can be waived.
Technical Standards
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Test Taking Skills – Must be able to successfully complete standardized tests and other classroom, laboratory and clinical tests.
- 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.
Mobility – Must be able to move freely from place to place to perform clinical procedures and use dental equipment. - Dexterity – Must be able to manipulate dental and dental hygiene instruments, materials and equipment.
- 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.
- 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.
- Communication – Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively to patients, dental health team members and community groups.
- Touch – Must be able to distinguish between various textures, sizes and shapes and be able to palpate tissue during the extra, intraoral examination.
- Smell – Must be able to distinguish the smells (odors) of various drugs, solutions and materials used in the dental setting.
- 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.
- 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.
Program Specific Expenses
Estimated 2024/2025 Student Tuition and Expenses for full time students in the two-year program.
Estimated 2024/2025 Student Tuition and Expenses (pdf)
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Tuition – residents | $5,472.00 |
| Tuition – non-residents (out-of-state) | $10,944.00 |
| Student Activity Fee ($210 per semester) | $420.00 |
| Transportation Fee ($113 per semester) (Replacement Vehicle registration Sticker Fee $25) | $226.00 |
| Service Fee ($180/semester) | $360.00 |
| Student Registration Fee ($152/semester) | $304.00 |
| Program Fee ($60/semester for Health Sciences Students) | $120.00 |
| Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing | $115.00 |
| Laboratory Fees (8 labs @ $150 per lab) | $1200.00 |
| Technology Fee ($344/semester fall/spring) | $688.00 |
| Distance Learning Fee ($15/credit hour) | $15.00 |
| Books | $1,655.00 |
| Instruments & Supplies | $3,552.00 |
| Uniforms | $200.00 |
| Malpractice Insurance | $14.50 |
| American Dental Hygienists’ Association & State Association Membership | $70.00 |
| Online Child Abuse Course | $25.00 |
| I.D. Badge (Replacement Fee-$50.00) | $10.00 |
| BLS (CPR) Certification/ Recertification | $80.00-$120.00 |
| TalEval Clinical Evaluation | $35 |
| Optical Loupes | $1400-$1600 |
| Influenza Vaccine | $10 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Tuition – residents | $5,472.00 |
| Tuition – non-residents (out-of-state) | $10,944.00 |
| Student Activity Fee ($210 per semester) | $420.00 |
| Transportation Fee ($113 per semester) (Replacement Vehicle registration Sticker Fee $25) | $226.00 |
| Service Fee ($180/semester) | $360.00 |
| Program Fee ($60/semester for Health Sciences Students) | $120.00 |
| HESI Exam Prep Package | $150.00 |
| Student Registration Fee ($152/semester) | $304.00 |
| Laboratory Fees (4 Labs @ $150 per lab) | $600.00 |
| Technology Fee ($344/semester) | $688.00 |
| Books | $886.00 |
| Instruments & Supplies | $189.00 |
| BLS (CPR) Re-certification (estimate) | $80.00-120.00 |
| TalEval Clinical Evaluation | $35.00 |
| Uniforms | $200.00 |
| Malpractice Insurance | $35.00 |
| Influenza Vaccine | $10.00 |
| American Dental Hygienists’ Association & State Association Membership | $70.00 |
| US National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Fee | $565.00 |
| Commission on Dental Competency Assessment Examination Fee | $1075.00 |
| New York State License Application Fee | $128.00 |
| NYS Local Anesthesia Certificate Fee | $25.00 |
| Board Review Courses (highly recommended) | $350.00–400.00 |
**Unless otherwise noted, totals are per academic year based on FT enrollment (two semesters).
NOTE: Expenses are subject to change without notice. Tuition and other fees have specific due dates. If tuition payments are not received by the due date, the student course registration is cancelled with loss of reserved place in classes.
Financial Aid, Tuition Payment Plans, and Scholarships are available through the Financial Aid Office, SS-111 607-778-5028, Student Accounts, SS-113 +607-778-5230, and the Foundation Office, 607-778-5182.
The College disburses excess financial aid and refunds electronically. Once you have registered for classes, watch your mail for instructions.
The College has a payment plan available for the convenience of students. Information on enrollment, required down payment, number of payments and months of payments will be available through MyCollege Student Accounts Tab in June.
Part-time students with failing mid-term grades could jeopardize their financial aid.
Dental Hygiene Student Fees
Malpractice Insurance & SADHA Membership
The department has decided that it is necessary for freshmen to be covered with malpractice insurance. Arrangements for group insurance are sponsored by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and administered by Seabird & Smith.
The insurance administrator requires that each student be a member of SADHA (Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association).
National & state dues – $70.00 (subject to change)
Malpractice Insurance – $14.50 (first year)
Dental Hygiene ID Badge
DH students will purchase an ID badge to gain access to the locker room and provide identification while in clinic and when a clinical rotation is out in the community. Students will have access to the locker room Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm only during the fall and spring semesters. Replacement cards will be purchased for $10.00.
TalEval Clinical Evaluation System
DH students will pay $35.00 annually for the web-based clinical evaluation system utilization.
A money order or certified check should be made payable to the Student American Dental Hygienists Association (SADHA) for $129.50. It must be turned into the department secretary no later than a week before classes start in the fall. This will ensure that your malpractice coverage will be in effect on the first day of classes. Admission to DEN 101 will be denied if this fee is not paid.
Student Health Insurance
It is recommended that students carry personal health insurance to cover the costs of post-exposure protocol procedures.
