Essential Functions

The ethical practice of dental hygiene requires intellectual ability, physical competence, and personal responsibility. This list of technical standards and essential functions is for students to become aware of and informed of the skills required in the performance of duties of a Dental Hygiene student. The physical abilities and the personal and behavioral characteristics necessary are conditions of admission and for successful completion of the program. The list of essential functions includes:

• Be able to reach up to a height of five feet in order to position equipment and reach, manipulate, and operate equipment necessary for the dental hygienist.
• Be able to assist patients in and out of the dental chair and move, adjust, and position patients as needed.
• Be able to function with both hands and arms and have adequate manual dexterity to perform dental hygiene procedures.
• Work in a sitting position for at least one hour at a time.
• Have adequate hand-eye coordination and the ability to distinguish right from left in order to perform dental hygiene procedures.
• Be able to visually assess patients' condition and clearly see patients' teeth from a distance of 20 inches.
• Have adequate sensory perception in hands and fingers to detect and remove tooth deposits.
• Have the ability to handle instruments and syringes with sufficient fine motor control to avoid injury to the patient.
• Have the ability to hear for reception of spoken communication when the speaker is wearing a mask.
• Be able to visibly differentiate the color spectrum for tissue discrimination.
• Have the ability to collect, interpret, and integrate information and make decisions in order to provide appropriate and safe patient treatment.
• Have the ability to prevent and manage dental and medical emergencies, including performing CPR and/or other appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in a dental practice.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, non-verbal, and written formats with faculty, other students, patients, and all members of the dental team.
• Be able to read technical English rapidly and with comprehension.
• Be able to receive, comprehend, write, and interpret verbal and written communication in both the academic and clinical settings.
• Have the ability to assess the oral hygiene treatment needs of special patients, such as the medically, mentally, or physically compromised patients, as well as the socially and culturally disadvantaged patients.
• Have sufficient emotional stability and responsibility to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and changing circumstances that characterize the work duties of dental hygiene.
• Display flexibility and adaptability.
• Possess compassion, integrity, motivation, and concern for others.
• Demonstrate professional behaviors and a strong work ethic and comply with the Code of Ethics for Dental Hygiene as established by the American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA).