AAS in Dentalhygiene

As a licensed health care professional, the dental hygienist becomes an integral part of the patient care team. The range of services may include providing preventive dental care, educating patients about oral health, cleaning teeth, taking dental x-rays, placing dental sealants, providing fluoride treatments, administering local anesthetics, and more. Most of all, hygienists manage patient treatment and information while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with ethical responsibilities.

The curriculum for NCC's two-year program includes a combination of sciences, lectures, labs, and direct involvement with patient care at the on-site dental hygiene clinic. The program prepares graduates to be competent oral health clinicians with the ability to develop effective oral health programs that can be utilized in practices, schools, private businesses, and a variety of private and public settings in the community.

NCC's dental hygiene program is among the most respected and competitive in Pennsylvania and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

This is a selective program, please carefully review all provided information and requirements.

Transfer Potential: Penn College of Technology, West Virginia University, Farmingdale State College, University of Bridgeport, St. Petersburg College

State licensing

If you are a Northampton Community College student living outside of Pennsylvania or intending to complete an internship or clinical placement outside of the state in an NCC program leading to professional licensure, you should review the requirements on the state board website to make sure that the program qualifies.

Licensure requirements vary from state to state and you may require additional authorization from the professional licensing agency in that state. Participating in a program from outside of Pennsylvania, if not properly authorized by that state's professional licensing board, could result in loss of licensing eligibility. If you need help or have questions, please contact the Program Director for more information.

With an enduring commitment to the regional community it serves and a focus on student success, Northampton Community College has developed a reputation as an institution of extraordinary distinction, earning accolades at the state and national levels for innovative programs, outstanding faculty, and impressive student achievements.

It counts among its successful alumni a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and an Academy Award-winning director as well as a host of CEOs, presidents, and leaders of business and industry. Today, Northampton Community College has locations in Bethlehem, Southside Bethlehem, and Monroe County, serving nearly 20,000 students each year from 53 counties, 48 countries, and 25 states.

Mission

Recognizing that students are the primary reason that Northampton Community College exists, we seek to provide excellent, accessible, and comprehensive learning experiences in partnership with the dynamic, diverse communities we serve.

Values

We believe that learning thrives when there is a sense of curiosity and excitement about the world in which we live. As such, we value:

Excellence Quality in the educational and training experiences that we provide, is based on our dedication to teaching and learning

Innovation Creative problem solving, responsiveness, entrepreneurship, and our ability to adapt quickly to a changing world

Sustainability Commitment to the long-term health of the institution, the community, the economy, and the environment

Accountability Institutional and individual responsibility for our actions, growth, and development

Integrity Academic and personal honesty, fairness, ethical conduct, and respect for others in our learning and working environments

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion An environment that fosters and values every person's contributions, celebrating the ways in which cultures, identities, and backgrounds enrich the college community and enhance our academic excellence.

Engagement Involvement in and collaboration with the college, local and global communities

Vision

As one of the leading community colleges in the nation, we will:

• Promote the highest level of student success in achieving academic, personal, and professional goals
• Provide state-of-the-art education and training in every community we serve
• Be the college of choice for innovative programming
• Encourage every member of our community to have a lifelong connection to the college
• Respect and affirm the dignity of all people

Why NCC?

NCC is one of the most affordable colleges in Pennsylvania. Students save more than $25,000 each year on tuition costs when compared to other area colleges and universities. The institution has evolved during the past 54 years into the region’s largest, most diverse college that is not only recognized within the state but around the country for the excellence of its programs and people. NCC prides itself on its expansive breadth of programs and commitment to student success and access. It offers a highly engaging, collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment to learn and develop. NCC continues to grow to meet the needs of the community. The addition of the Follett Family Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Fowler Family Southside Center has expanded NCC’s ability to provide excellent and accessible learning experiences to people in the community and ensures the college’s position as a workforce pipeline for the area industries for the near future.