A+ for Chabot's Dental Hygiene Grads

By JoAnn Galliano, Dental Hygiene Program Director

The Chabot College Dental Hygiene Class of 2011 achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the Dental Hygiene National Board
Exam. This is the seventh year in a row the graduating class has earned a perfect pass rate.

We are very proud of our graduates. I think the biggest reason for our success is that our faculty focuses on student success. We do all we can to support the students’ learning, and the students are extremely committed to doing their best to achieve their goals.

Once again, the class also exceeded the national average scores. Test
score averages were 86.7 percent, compared to the national average of
82.7 percent. The exam is administered to all dental hygiene students at colleges and universities nationwide.

The Dental Hygiene Program at Chabot College is small and selective,
enrolling 20 out of a pool of approximately 90 qualified applicants each
year. Most applicants have completed at least two years of prerequisite college course work. The program is demanding and requires a full-time commitment for two years. It attracts a diverse student body.

The diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area population is reflected in the program’s demographics, and the curriculum addresses this diversity. Students from different backgrounds share their own and their families’ dental care experiences. This gives students a better understanding of different cultural attitudes.

Students prepare to serve a diverse patient population through their
work in Chabot College’s dental clinic and their community service at
day care centers, elementary schools and elderly care residences.

The program is closely involved with the Chabot College Dental Hygiene Education Fund, supported by local dentists, dental practices and hygienists.

The Chabot College Dental Hygiene Program clinic also provides low-cost dental hygiene services to the community. The clinic is open from Aug. 17 to May 16.  Individuals can schedule an appointment by calling 510-723-6900. For more information about the program, please visit the website at www.chabotcollege.edu/dhyg.