Student Responsibilities

Certain moral, ethical, and behavioral standards are expected of students aspiring to careers in health science.  The department therefore requires compliance with policies and procedures, which govern conduct both as a student in the college and as a student in a professional program.  These regulations are considered academic standards within the scope of clinical practicum courses in the curriculum.

Safe Practice in the clinical setting is required.  Students are expected to demonstrate behavior leading to safe practice. Failure to demonstrate those behaviors can result in sanctions determined by the faculty and/or dismissal from the program.  The behaviors expected are identified in the clinic manual.

Compliance with OSHA standards, infection control policies and blood-borne pathogen guidelines is mandatory in all clinical facilities. Students are required to complete an annual review of these standards prior to any clinical experience. If a student has t miss a clinical day because this review has not been completed, the missed day will be counted as a clinical absence.

The student must maintain American Heart Association basic cardiopulmonary life support for healthcare providers certification and TB screening throughout the dental hygiene program.  In addition, each student must meet all the requirements for graduation specified by the college and the dental hygiene program.

Code of Conduct

All Dental Hygiene courses, labs, clinics and activities are governed by the Georgia Highlands College Student Code of Conduct found in the Student Handbook as well as by dental hygiene departmental policies.

Dental Hygiene Grading Policy

In the dental hygiene program we utilize an 8 point grade scale for all DHYG courses.

A  =     100- 92

B  =     91.9 – 84

C  =     83.9  – 76

D  =     75.9  – 68

F  =      67.9 – below

If an incomplete grade is received in a dental hygiene course, it must be completed within the time specified by the dental hygiene faculty.  If this is not done, the student will automatically receive an “F” and will not be allowed to continue in the professional sequence.

If a student earns a “D” in any dental hygiene course they must remediate as specified by the dental hygiene faculty within the specified time frame.  If this is not done then the grade will be changed to an “F”.  Upon receiving a second “D” or one “F” in any dental hygiene course, the student will not be permitted to continue in the professional sequence.  If a student wishes to reapply for admission to the dental hygiene program they must adhere to criteria for admission as an entry level student.  All applications must be submitted by March 15th to be considered for acceptance the following fall semester.

Re-entry into the Dental Hygiene Program:

A dental hygiene student that is eligible for re-entry into the dental hygiene program is a student who has had to withdraw for reasons other than academic failure.

Re-entry requires the approval of the re-entry committee and will be considered on a space available basis. Credit for courses previously taken and passed as well as extended curriculums will be decided on a case by case basis. All dental hygiene courses must be completed within a 4 year period of initial acceptance. (Only one attempt at re-entry).

Students seeking re-entry must inform the Director of Dental Hygiene in writing, at least 3 months before. This letter must identify the reason(s) for withdrawal from the dental hygiene program, the reason(s) the applicant would like to be readmitted and the circumstances that have changed to indicate successful completion of the program.