UCFV to launch Dental Hygiene program

Aspiring dental hygienists have something to smile about. The University College of the Fraser Valley is in the final stages of approving a two-year Dental Hygiene diploma program set to launch this September. Applications are being accepted starting February 1, 2006.

"We're very excited about launching this program," said UCFV Health Sciences director Hannah MacDonald. "We're responding to student demand for training close to home, a growing need for hygienists in the Fraser Valley, and strong support from dentists who want to employ our graduates."

UCFV already offers a one-year Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) program. The new Dental Hygiene program, with spaces for 16 students, will complement UCFV's CDA program.

Dental hygiene is a health profession concerned primarily with the prevention of oral disease and the promotion of optimum oral health. Hygienists often work as part of a dental team, performing tasks such as scaling, polishing, and providing educational counselling about oral health. They are licensed to apply local anaesthetic and can also set up independent practices or work in community health settings.

UCFV dental hygiene students will receive both clinical and community health experience through partnerships with local dentists and community agencies to complement their theoretical studies.

"There are numerous employment opportunities, which will continue to increase as the population ages, the Fraser Valley continues to grow, and the public becomes increasingly aware of preventive dental care," said Rosie Friesen, an instructor in the Dental department at UCFV. "Dental hygienists earn a good salary, they're in great demand, and it's a portable profession in that every community needs hygienists. We had almost 100 people attend an information session last year and we're getting calls all the time, so we know this will be a popular program."

UCFV's program will run from September to May for two years. Applicants must have completed first-year sciences at the post-secondary level.

Graduates will be eligible to write exams to qualify for national certification and licensing with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia. They will also be eligible to apply to UBC to complete the fourth year of the Bachelor of Dental Science (Hygiene) degree program.

Local dentists also support the new program with enthusiasm.

"There has long been an urgent need in the dental community for hygienists," stated Dr. Mark Huang, chair of the UCFV Dental Advisory Committee. "A dental hygiene program would have long-term benefits for our community and the province."

"I wholeheartedly endorse the proposal for a dental hygiene program," said Dr. Edmund Liem, past chair of Chilliwack General Hospital dental staff. "Graduates of the program would have numerous employment opportunities from which to choose."

For more information about the new UCFV Dental Hygiene diploma program, to be offered at the Chilliwack campus, or call 604-795-2817, or 604-504-7441, local 2817.