Beginning in the fall of 2023, IVCC will offer a dental hygienist program. To qualify for the program,  students are required to have completed the Illinois American Dental Association-Commission on Dental Accreditation dental assisting program. Consider applying if you are interested in studying oral health!

IVCC conveniently provides a pre-existing dental assisting program (mentioned above) for its students. It is currently available to meet the requirements for this new Dental Hygienist program. 

Program Coordinator for Dental Assisting, Heather Seghi, recently spoke with Shaw Local News Network. She said, “This program will meet the needs of local dentists while assuring a quality education for those pursuing dental hygiene close to home.”

The importance of overall health and well-being defines the value of this field. Poor oral health has been linked to diabetes, immune disorders, and heart disease. 

For students interested in this field but unsure of the work routine, the Illinois Department of Public Health explains that, “A dental hygienist will clean teeth, take X-rays, evaluate for gum infection and periodontal disease, and apply sealants and fluoride treatments.”

The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $77,810 in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the population ages and research continues to link oral health to overall health, the demand for dental services is expected to rise. The Bureau stated that employment for dental hygienists is expected to grow 6% from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the national average for any other job.

For more information regarding the dental hygienist program beginning in Fall of 2023, you can contact Program Coordinator Heather Seghi at [email protected]. For any additional questions, the IVCC Counseling Center is open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, & Fridays and from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call 815-224-0360 to verify availability for a counselor meeting.