The Utah Tech University Dental Hygiene Program prepares students for safe and competent general practice in the dental hygiene profession. Each program candidate must be able to meet or perform the following essential career functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
NON-DISCRIMINATION IN ADMISSIONS Utah Tech University is committed to the principle of diversity. All admission policies shall be applied without regard to race, color, ethnic background, national origin, religion, creed, age, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or gender. In that spirit, admission to the Utah Tech University Dental Hygiene (UTDH) program is open to qualified individuals in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
PREPARED FOR PRACTICE UTDH recognizes that the award of a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree carries with it the full authority of the institution and communicates to those who might seek the services of the bearer that he or she is competent to practice dental hygiene. The degree certifies that, upon licensure, the graduate is prepared to practice all disciplines of the dental hygiene profession. This requires that the student acquire cognitive and technical skills and attitudes determined by the faculty as requisite for the practice of dental hygiene with all of its patient responsibilities.
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF CURRICULUM The University recognizes the unique cognitive, technical and attitudinal aspects of the dental hygiene curriculum. Students must possess the skills and abilities that will allow them to successfully complete the course of study and receive the full benefit of the educational program. The student is required to direct or perform treatment on the patients of the University as part of the curriculum. The University has responsibility for ensuring the safety of patients and student clinicians. This includes the completion of treatment safely and within a reasonable amount of time. The student must be able to meet or perform the following essential functions with or without accommodation.
ADMISSIONS & PROGRAM CONTINUATION The University has determined that the functions and skills listed above are essential to the program of instruction and will consider for admission any applicant who has:
Although the University may not inquire whether an applicant has a disability prior to making a decision on admission, an applicant may disclose during the admissions process a disability for which he or she desires accommodation. If this occurs, the University may request that the applicant provide documentation of the disability to the dental hygiene department chair. Notwithstanding such disclosure, the applicant will be considered based upon the published admissions criteria required of all applicants.
ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS
| Capability | Standard | Examples |
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| Cognitive Perception | Ability to perceive events realistically, to think clearly and rationally, and to function appropriately in routine and stressful situations. Students must independently and accurately assess or contribute to the assessment of a client |
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Critical Thinking:
Careful thought, reasoned judgment. Differentiated from personal opinion and superficial memorization of facts by the ability to obtain and use an appropriate quantity and quality of data for a given situation. Critical thinkers question assumptions, routines, rituals, reconsider “known facts” when new information becomes available and develop new “rules” when old ones fail or become unavailable. |
Critical thinking skills demanded of dental hygienists require the ability to learn and reason: to integrate, analyze and synthesize data concurrently. Students must be able to solve problems rapidly, consider alternatives and make decisions for managing or intervening in the care of a client. |
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| Capability | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Skills | Ambulatory capability sufficient to maintain a center of gravity when met with an opposing force as in supporting, and/or transferring a client |
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| Organization Skills | Ability to plan routines, to think clearly and rationally, and to function appropriately in routine Able to manage time within a given time period |
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| Activity Tolerance | Ability to tolerate lengthy periods of physical activity. Able to tolerate repetitious and strenuous work. |
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| Capability | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Communicate in English with others in oral and written form. Able to communicate with clients and members of the health care team in order to plan and deliver safe care. |
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| Interpersonal Relationships | Interact with clients, families, staff, peers, instructors, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. |
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| Capability | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to hear normal conversation and/or assess health needs | • Ability to monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds (e.g. B/P, cries for help, telephone interactions, dictation) • Communicates with clients, families and colleagues |
| Vision | Visual ability sufficient for observation, assessment, and performance.of safe dental care. |
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| Tactile | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment, inclusive of size, shape, temperature and texture. |
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| Capability | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Psychosocial Behaviors | Possess the emotional health required for full use of “intellectual” abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt and safe completion of all responsibilities. |
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| Capability | Standard | Examples |
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| Environmental Adaptability | Ability to tolerate environmental stressors |
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