Dental Hygiene: A.A.S.
SUNY Broome’s Dental Hygiene Department offers a unique program that provides quality educational experience for dental hygiene students.
Dental hygiene is the science and practice of the recognition, treatment and prevention of oral diseases. SUNY Broome graduated its first class more than 50 years ago and the Dental Hygiene Department has become a premier program in New York State. The program’s reputation and examination results attest to the department’s outstanding accomplishments.
This Associate's degree program is designed to prepare competent dental hygiene professionals, capable of providing quality dental hygiene care in a variety of settings within a changing healthcare system and a culturally diverse society. Students gain skills and knowledge which prepares them to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Clinical and Computer Simulated Examinations.
The on-campus dental hygiene program's state-of-the-art clinic houses 26 dental units, seven x-ray operatories, two labs and various classrooms for student use. All of the dental and x-ray units have computers using computerized patient data management software, digital radiographs and clinical evaluation.
In order to participate in clinical rotations, which are required to graduate from this program, students must submit proof of a current physical and up-to-date required vaccinations, including influenza or declination. Students are required to obtain their own health insurance and arrange their own transportation in order to participate in clinical rotations. Specific instructions about required documentation and deadlines are provided by the Program Director.
All students are required to complete the Dental Hygiene program within three years from the time they are accepted into the DEN professional courses. All courses required within the program must be completed with a minimum grade of C to successfully progress in the program.
Pain Management Certification
SUNY Broome’s Dental Hygiene two-year curriculum includes the NYS certification course in local infiltration anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia. This is noteworthy because many New York dental hygiene schools do not include this certification course in their curriculum. Their graduates must then seek this education at additional time and expense. Our graduates are competent and are ready to enter the current practice of dental hygiene care in New York State.The New York State Dental Hygiene Practice Act outlines the allowable responsibilities for a Dental Hygienist.
Individuals who have been found guilty, or plead guilty to a felony, may not be eligible for dental hygiene licensure. The State Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. Contact NYS Office of the Professions for further information at www.op.nysed.gov
Notice of Opportunity to File Complaints
The SUNY Broome Community College Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education. In compliance with the Commission, the department provides the following notice for students who feel they have a complaint regarding the program’s compliance with the accreditation standards set by the Commission.
Notice of opportunity to file complaints with the Commission of Dental Accreditation
The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program’s compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.
A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago IL 60611 or by calling 800-621-8099 extension 2719.
Adopted January 1994 Commission on Dental Accreditation
The program is designed for students planning to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
SUNY Broome has transfer agreements which provide students with a smooth transition to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree should they choose.
Dental Hygiene Advisory Council 2023 - 2026
| Raymonda Barnardt, RDH 20 Standish Apalachin, NY 13732 |
607-972-9206 – C CRDHA Alternate Director, Membership Chair |
| Ryan Comfort, DDS 501 Plaza Drive Vestal, NY 13850 |
607-797-5932 rcomfortdds@gmail.com General Practice |
| Cynthia D’Intronio, RDH, BT 55 Oak Street Binghamton, NY 13905 |
607-760-8999 – C President, NYDHA, Central Region General Practice |
| Julianne Klepfer, PT SUNY Broome PTA Dept. 907 Upper Front Street Binghamton, NY 13905 |
607-778-5329 – W Professor klepferje@sunybroome.edu |
| Lisa Lapallo, RDH Columbia Dental 515 Columbia Drive Johnson City, NY 13790 |
607-770-1122 – W lisalapallo@yahoo.com General Practice, Retired |
| Amy Limoncelli, CDA Dental Assisting Program Director GST BOCES 459 Philo Road Elmira, NY 14903 |
607-739-3581 ext. 1618 alimoncelli@gstboces.org |
| Jamie Matts, RDH Dinosaur Dental 1700 Monroe Street Endicott, NY 13760 |
607-953-4445 – W 607-725-7390 – C mattsjt@aol.com Pediatric Practice |
| Messina, Erin, RDH Lourdes Dental Care, Ascension Health 219 Front St. Binghamton, NY 13905 |
607-584-4545 – W Pediatric and Family Members |
| Comlan Missih, DDS 355 Riverside Drive Johnson City, NY 13790 |
607-798-7188 – W upstatedentalimplant.com Periodontist |
| Carolyn Riley, DDS 151 Riverside Drive Binghamton, NY 13790 |
607-765-3353 – C 607-724-1389 – W criley@summitdentalarts.com General Practice |
| Nolan Robinson, DDS Vestal Dental Associates 533 Clayton Ave Vestal, NY 13850 |
607-785-3339 – W nrobinson@vestaldental.com General Practice |
| Nick Timko, RDH 2712 Columbia Drive Endwell, NY 13760 |
607-953-4265 ntimko@stny.rr.com General Practice |
| Kristina A. Vingelis, DDS 145 Oakdale Road Johnson City, NY 13790 |
607-217-5853 www.vingelisleedentistry.com kvingelis@gmail.com Pediatric Dentist |
| J. Michael Weber, DMD, MSD 78 Court Street Binghamton, NY 13901 |
607-723-1941 – W Jmweber13901@yahoo.com Periodontist |
| Pamela Bouton, DDS 153 Main Street Owego, NY 13827 |
607-687-7536 – W Skigirl44@hotmail.com General Practice (Liaison to SDDS) |
SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene Program Accreditation
The SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “Approval Without Reporting Requirements.”
Approval (without reporting requirements) is an accreditation classification granted to an educational program indicating that the program achieves or exceeds the basic requirements for accreditation.
The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at:
- Phone: 312-440-4653
- Address: 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678
Commission on Dental Accreditation Posting Form for Third Party Comments (PDF)
NC-SARA Disclosure
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to determine whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements in the following locations:
- The U.S. State where the institution is located
- U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment
- U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting licensure/certification requirements
- U.S. States where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified
The Dental Hygiene, A.A.S. program at SUNY Broome Community College is registered by the New York State Education Department and therefore meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in New York State.
Through a good faith effort and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the Dental Hygiene, A.A.S. program also meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following U.S. State: Pennsylvania (PA).
However, SUNY Broome Community College is not the licensure/certification authority in these states and cannot guarantee individual licensure/certification.
Students admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program must complete course requirements that necessitate the abilities below.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association mandates dental hygiene program standards.
Students with documented disabilities are entitled to appropriate accommodations under the law to assist them in meeting academic requirements. Disability documentation should be submitted to the Student Support Services Program to determine appropriate accommodations.
- Comprehension – Must be able to interpret, understand and apply abstract concepts from general studies, biomedical, dental, dental hygiene and clinical sciences. Must be able to process and follow directions related to dental hygiene treatment.
- Analysis – Must be able to interpret patient findings, recognize anomalies and make decisions that affect patient care. Must be able to visualize and apply spatial relationships to instrumentation skills, radiographic skills and a variety of clinical skills.
- Writing – Must be able to write clear, legible and accurate notations on clinical records including patient charts. Must be able to develop accurate and complete drawings and written descriptions of clinical findings. Must be able to organize thoughts and ideas into written essays and research papers.
- Calculation – Must be able to count pulse and respiration and time various clinical procedures. Must be able to measure and mix chemicals, dental materials and various clinical agents. Must be able to compute dental indices and statistics and other mathematical computations required in classroom or clinical procedures.
- Test Taking Skills – Must be able to successfully complete standardized tests and other classroom, laboratory and clinical tests.
- Physical Ability – Must be able to perform clinical procedures. Must be able to perform basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assist in emergency procedures. Mobility – Must be able to move freely from place to place to perform clinical procedures and use dental equipment.
- Dexterity – Must be able to manipulate dental and dental hygiene instruments, materials and equipment.
- Vision – Must be able to read charts, records, small print, typed and handwritten notations. Must be able to observe changes in patient status and distinguish colors both extra and intraorally. Must be able to discern shades of black and white for dental radiographic interpretation.
- Equipment Operation – Must be able to operate equipment related to dental hygiene treatment. Equipment includes, but is not limited to: blood pressure, crepitation, ultrasonic, sonic and other equipment.
- Communication – Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively to patients, dental health team members and community groups.
- Touch – Must be able to distinguish between various textures, sizes and shapes and be able to palpate tissue during the extra, intraoral examination.
- Smell – Must be able to distinguish the smells (odors) of various drugs, solutions and materials used in the dental setting.
- Interpersonal Skills – Must be able to establish sufficient rapport to effectively relate to patients, dental health team members and community groups. Must be able to demonstrate concern and empathy for a diverse pool of clinic patients.
- Professional Behavior – Must be able to maintain composure during stressful situations. Must be able to demonstrate ethical behavior and decision making. Must be able to use constructive criticism for self-improvement.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Tuition – residents | $5,472.00 |
| Tuition – non-residents (out-of-state) | $10,944.00 |
| Student Activity Fee ($210 per semester) | $420.00 |
| Transportation Fee ($113 per semester) (Replacement Vehicle registration Sticker Fee $25) | $226.00 |
| Service Fee ($180/semester) | $360.00 |
| Student Registration Fee ($152/semester) | $304.00 |
| Program Fee ($60/semester for Health Sciences Students) | $120.00 |
| Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing | $115.00 |
| Laboratory Fees (8 labs @ $150 per lab) | $1200.00 |
| Technology Fee ($344/semester fall/spring) | $688.00 |
| Distance Learning Fee ($15/credit hour) | $15.00 |
| Books | $1,655.00 |
| Instruments & Supplies | $3,552.00 |
| Uniforms | $200.00 |
| Malpractice Insurance | $14.50 |
| American Dental Hygienists’ Association & State Association Membership | $70.00 |
| Online Child Abuse Course | $25.00 |
| I.D. Badge (Replacement Fee-$50.00) | $10.00 |
| BLS (CPR) Certification/ Recertification | $80.00-$120.00 |
| TalEval Clinical Evaluation | $35 |
| Optical Loupes | $1400-$1600 |
| Influenza Vaccine | $10 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Tuition – residents | $5,472.00 |
| Tuition – non-residents (out-of-state) | $10,944.00 |
| Student Activity Fee ($210 per semester) | $420.00 |
| Transportation Fee ($113 per semester) (Replacement Vehicle registration Sticker Fee $25) | $226.00 |
| Service Fee ($180/semester) | $360.00 |
| Program Fee ($60/semester for Health Sciences Students) | $120.00 |
| HESI Exam Prep Package | $150.00 |
| Student Registration Fee ($152/semester) | $304.00 |
| Laboratory Fees (4 Labs @ $150 per lab) | $600.00 |
| Technology Fee ($344/semester) | $688.00 |
| Books | $886.00 |
| Instruments & Supplies | $189.00 |
| BLS (CPR) Re-certification (estimate) | $80.00-120.00 |
| TalEval Clinical Evaluation | $35.00 |
| Uniforms | $200.00 |
| Malpractice Insurance | $35.00 |
| Influenza Vaccine | $10.00 |
| American Dental Hygienists’ Association & State Association Membership | $70.00 |
| US National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Fee | $565.00 |
| Commission on Dental Competency Assessment Examination Fee | $1075.00 |
| New York State License Application Fee | $128.00 |
| NYS Local Anesthesia Certificate Fee | $25.00 |
| Board Review Courses (highly recommended) | $350.00–400.00 |
Dental Hygiene Student Fees
Malpractice Insurance & SADHA Membership
The department has decided that it is necessary for freshmen to be covered with malpractice insurance. Arrangements for group insurance are sponsored by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and administered by Seabird & Smith. The insurance administrator requires that each student be a member of SADHA (Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association). National & state dues – $70.00 (subject to change) Malpractice Insurance – $14.50 (first year)Dental Hygiene ID Badge
DH students will purchase an ID badge to gain access to the locker room and provide identification while in clinic and when a clinical rotation is out in the community. Students will have access to the locker room Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm only during the fall and spring semesters. Replacement cards will be purchased for $10.00.TalEval Clinical Evaluation System
DH students will pay $35.00 annually for the web-based clinical evaluation system utilization. A money order or certified check should be made payable to the Student American Dental Hygienists Association (SADHA) for $129.50. It must be turned into the department secretary no later than a week before classes start in the fall. This will ensure that your malpractice coverage will be in effect on the first day of classes. Admission to DEN 101 will be denied if this fee is not paid.Student Health Insurance
It is recommended that students carry personal health insurance to cover the costs of post-exposure protocol procedures.Contact Information
Admissions Office
607-778-5001
admissions@sunybroome.edu
- Meghan McGuinness, EdD, RDH
- Decker Center, Room 217
- 607-778-5055
- mcguinnessma@sunybroome.edu
Dental Hygiene in the News
Dental Hygiene Licensure Pass Rates:
| Year | National Board Pass Rate | CDCA Clinical Pass Rate | CDCA Computer Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 97% | 100% | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2020 | 100% | 100% | 100% |