Dental Hygiene Program

Dental Hygiene Philosophy

The dental hygiene faculty accepts the following philosophy of education and that of the profession of dental hygiene.

Philosophy of Education

Education is a continuing process requiring involvement of the total individual. Education is enhanced by building upon earlier learning/life experiences, and is proportionate to the degree of active individual involvement. Learning is evidenced by behavioral changes. Optimum development of potential is dependent on an environment conducive to learning. Learning is facilitated when experiences occur on a continuum of simple to complex and within a framework that allows career mobility and continuing education.

Philosophy of Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene is interpreted as a service to the community in fulfillment of the basic human needs of oral health, including health education, prevention, and treatment of oral disease. The individual, as a member of the community, is concerned with the preservation and restoration of oral health.

TMCC's dental hygiene faculty and staff believe that each individual regardless of age, sex, race, creed, or ethnic background has an inherent right to oral health. To achieve this right, dental hygiene care should be directed toward the patient as an individual, encompassing their unique needs. This holistic approach is implemented through the use of the dental hygiene process and an individual's commitment to continue to learn.

We believe dental hygiene education is based on the theory of education and philosophy of dental hygiene and is correlated with the concepts from the humanities, social sciences and life sciences. We believe there are multiple roles and practice levels for beginning practitioners, and identifiable competencies for each. Dental hygiene education has as its primary objective preparation of graduates to function as a professional in these multiple roles and practice levels which facilitating the attainment of personal and professional goals.