Program Policies

Repetition and Remediation 

Incomplete (I) Grades 

All DHY courses need to be completed and successfully passed to continue in the program. In any given semester, an (I) grade will only be used when an emergency prevents a student from completing coursework during the regular College session. The student must be passing and have completed 75% of the coursework to be eligible for an (I) grade. 

Arrangements must be made with the course instructor to complete the coursework with a 75% competency or better. A written contract between the student and the instructor is created to specify requirements and the time frame in which the coursework is to be successfully completed. The incomplete (I) grade will be removed and a letter grade given when all course/clinic requirements are met. All incomplete grades from a semester must be satisfied by the end of the following semester or sooner, as mandated by the instructor. 

If the instructor deems it beneficial, the student may be referred to the Accessibility Compliance Center and Educational Support Services (ACCESS) office for additional assistance. If the student fails to meet the terms of the contract, they will be dismissed from the program. For more information about incomplete grades, refer to the College grading policies. 

Remediation in Dental Hygiene Coursework 

Instructors in the dental hygiene program provide ongoing feedback to students. When a student is deficient in a clinical skill, the student is notified by an instructor. At this time, the student will undergo remediation with a member of the dental hygiene faculty. If remediation proves unsuccessful and the student still fails the clinical portion of a DHY designated course (such as DHY 1250, DHY 1281, DHY 1282, DHY 1283, or DHY 1284), then they are determined to be incompetent/unsafe in their clinical skill and will be expelled from the dental hygiene program without the option of further remediation. 

During the mid-term conference, students in jeopardy of failing a didactic course will receive a Notice of Being in Jeopardy of Failure and given a referral to the Accessibility Compliance Center and Educational Support Services (ACCESS) office. It is then the student’s responsibility to be proactive in contacting the ACCESS office to schedule tutoring to improve their performance. If a student is in jeopardy of failing a clinical course, a meeting will be scheduled with the Clinical Coordinator and Program Coordinator. 

Withdrawals 

If a student is selected into the program, enrolls, and then withdraws early enough for their seat to be reassigned, there is no penalty for the withdrawal. If this student wishes to re-enter the program, they designate DHY as their curriculum. The student will be offered a place in the next starting cohort. 

A student who decides to withdraw from the dental hygiene program should notify the Program Coordinator at the time of their decision before taking official action. The student must schedule a personal interview with the Program Coordinator to complete a form of intention to return or to permanently withdraw from the dental hygiene program. 

If the student intends to return into the dental hygiene program, it is contingent upon availability of space in the program. Once the decision is made, the following procedure is followed: 

• The student must indicate their intention to return at least 3 months prior to the anticipated date of return to the program or by the date determined during the exit interview with the Program Coordinator. 
• The student must comply with all Oakland Community College and program policies and requirements in effect at the time of readmission. 
• A student who withdraws twice from the dental hygiene program for personal and/or academic reasons (i.e., 2W or 2WS marks or a failing grade) will be ineligible for readmission. 
• Students will be considered for readmission after a first failure (a final grade below 75%) in a dental hygiene course. The student is ineligible for readmission after a second failure of the same course or in a different dental hygiene course. 
• In deciding on readmission, the applicant's completion of any remedial action recommended and/or required by the program officials and/or their level of progress through the general education and support courses, will be taken into consideration. Students who request/are required by the program officials to repeat course(s) already successfully completed may audit these courses with the officials’ approval.