Dental Hygiene Program Header Image

 

Dental Clinic

Dental Clinic

 

Job Title Median Wage Annual Job Openings Expected Growth
Dental Hygienist MT: $77,920/yr
US: $77,810/yr
MT: 60
US: 15,600
MT: 9%
US: 11%

*Information obtained from O*NET OnLine

 

The Dental Hygienist is a licensed professional member of the healthcare team who integrates the roles of educator, consumer advocate, practitioner, manager, and researcher to support total health through the promotion of oral health and wellness. The focus of dental hygiene is on preventing oral disease.

Upon receipt of the Associate of Applied Science Degree, successful completion of the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination is required. The graduate will also need to obtain a license for the state he/she wishes to practice in by successfully completing a regional practical examination (WREB). The dental hygienist must practice in accordance with the requirements of the individual state's practice acts and abide by requirements to maintain licensure.

The Great Falls College MSU’s Dental Hygiene Program is a limited enrollment program, accepting 25 students each year. Interested students are urged to contact the Program Director or the Advising & Career Center Advisors for student advising specific to admission requirements and criteria for program acceptance.

Dental Hygiene Program Estimated Costs

Dental Hygiene Program Requirements

Program Admission Process

Application packets are accepted on an ongoing basis, but must be postmarked on or before June 16 to be eligible for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program for the upcoming Fall semester. Only complete application packets will be processed. Hand delivered application will not be accepted nor will the GFC MSU verify receipt of application. DO NOT CALL US REGARDING RECEIPT OF YOUR APPLICATION. If you call, we do not have access to received applications and will not be able to look for you. If you are concerned about receipt and would like verification of delivery

The priority deadline for applications to the Dental Hygiene Program is June 16. Completed Program Application Packets may be hand delivered to Health Science Program Assistant at the College or mailed to the College.

Contact Information

Dental Programs Administrative Assistant
406.771.4364

Mailing Address:

Great Falls College MSU
Dental Hygiene Program Admissions Committee
Attention: Dental Clinic Manager
2100 16th Avenue South
Great Falls MT, 59405

  • Please send all application items as a completed packet. Items sent separately and at random are easily lost or misfiled. We are not responsible for any late, lost or misfiled information. Please only send required documentation as other supplemental items will be discarded.
  • Priority Application Due Date: June 16
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements are met by the established deadline. Deadlines, guidelines, and policies apply equally to all students; thus, there can be no exceptions.
  • Great Falls College MSU’s Dental Hygiene Program does not maintain a waiting list. Applicants must reapply each year.

Application opens February 15th and application submissions must be postmarked by June 16th.

Dental Hygiene Program Application

The Dental Hygiene Program at Great Falls College MSU has undergone an accreditation process through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). CODA granted the dental hygiene program the accreditation status of “approval without reporting.” The next site visit will be 2026.

LAST SITE VISIT DATE: October 2 and 3, 2018

For dental hygienists looking to take their education to the next level we would encourage you to look at the ADHA website for the most current and up-to-date information on colleges offering degree-completion programs or master’s degrees in dental hygiene.

ADHA Professional Roles

  • Provide Dental Hygiene care at Nexus Methaamphetamine Treatment Facility in Lewistown.
  • Providing Dental Hygiene care at the Fort Harrison’s Veterans Administration in Helena
  • Work with Patients at Great Falls Clinic Cancer Center and Benefis/Sletten Cancer Facility
  • Gateway Recovery Program
  • Children’s Receiving Home
  • WIC and Opportunities Inc
  • Pre-Release Center-boot Camp
  • Special Olympics/Special Smiles
  • Saint Thomas Child Care Center
  • Senior Citizen Newsletter
  • Veteran’s Upward Bound
  • Migrant Farm Worker Project in Polson
  • Montana State Prison
  • Crest Program at the Boys and Girls Club
  • Dental Health Activity at Cambridge Court Senior Living Facility
  • Project Homeless Connect in Kalispell and Missoula
  • Providing Dental Hygiene care at the Cooperative Clinic in Helena
  • Give Kids a Smile Day (Sealants)

Great Falls College MSU
Dental Hygiene In The News


Dental Hygiene Faculty

 

Rachael Bruce photo

Rachael Bruce

Dental Hygiene Program Director

Office: R183
406.771.4365
rachael.bruce@gfcmsu.edu

Kim Dunlap photo

Kim Dunlap

 

Office: R185
406.771.5122
kim.dunlap1@gfcmsu.edu

Gwen Honeycutt photo

Gwen Honeycutt

 

Office: D106
406.268.4429
gwendolynn.honeycutt@gfcmsu.edu

Dr. William Hammer photo

Dr. William Hammer

 

Supervising Dentist

william.hammer2@gfcmsu.edu

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