Taft College Dental Hygiene Program

HP program: When did the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program begin?
The Taft College Dental Hygiene Program began as a vision of local dentists, because at that time, there was a significant shortage of dental hygienists in Kern County. In 1991, the local dentists approached Dr. David Cothrun, Taft College President and Ben Dykes, D.D.S., a local retired dentist to explore the possibility of creating a dental hygiene program. Members of the Kern County Dental Society also became involved in the development and pledged to support the start-up of the program. In 1993, Taft College Dental Hygiene Program was built, implemented and recognized as the first dental hygiene school to open in the state of California in 20 years.

Who is the administrator of the program?
Pioneer Ben Dykes, DDS became the first director of the hygiene program in 1993. He developed the program to its entirety and in 1996, Stacy Eastman DDS, became the director. She is currently joined by an excellent staff including Michael Westwick, DDS; Ms. Sandy Jennings, BSBH, MS; Mrs. Diana Champion, RDH, BS; Ms. Marilyn King, RDH, MS; Ms. Kelly Donovan, RDH,BS; Mrs. Julie Ortlieb, RDH; Ms. Robin Shaffer, RDH/AP; Ms. Susan McCracken, RDH/AP; Mrs. Debby Woodson, Office Manager and Ms. Laura Riss, Receptionist/Tech.

Dr. Eastman’s education began at West Hills and Cabrillo Colleges where she earned her registered dental hygienist degree. After working as a hygienist and having the vision of becoming a dentist, she returned to college at the University of Southern California where she earned her doctorate in dentistry.

In addition to the directorship of the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program, Dr. Eastman directs the Kern County Children’s Dental Health Network, a mobile dental services program for children funded by First 5 Kern (Proposition 10-tobacco tax initiative). The program is in partnership with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office whereby preventive and treatment services are mobilized to preschool and kindergartners, at their school-site. Dr. Eastman is a member of the Kern County Dental Society and also has a private dental practice in Coalinga, CA.

What are the educational requirements to be admitted into the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program?
In order to be admitted into the program, there are several required courses that must be completed with a grade of “C” or better: Anatomy 6, Biology 15, Chemistry 8 & 9, Microbiology 8, Physiology 7 & 7L, and English 1A. Applicants must also complete before graduation, Sociology, or Speech 11, or Speech 7 and Sociology 3. First-time applicants can earn “points” to increase their opportunity to be admitted. These points are accumulated by earning a high GPA while completing undergraduate classes, completing prerequisite course work at Taft College, earning a college degree, and/or having related work experience. Additionally, letters of recommendation, community service activities, and the quality of the applicant’s personal statement also increases an applicant’s consideration.

How long does it take to complete the hygiene program?
The completion of the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program is two school years. In addition, a four-week summer clinic is offered to the second-year students to prepare them for the State Examination offered in July of each year. The summer clinic is a unique opportunity that no other known dental hygiene school offers to their students.

Approximately how many students are accepted into the program?
Twenty-four applicants who have met the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program requirements are accepted each year. Twelve applicants are chosen by a lottery system and the remaining twelve are chosen based on the "earned point system."


What are some of the highlights a Taft College Dental Hygiene Program education?
First year students learn about sterilization, the importance of using standard precautions, taking x-rays, administering local anesthesia, and using hand instruments. The hands-on experience begins in the dental clinic where students begin their hygiene skills on tooth models. It is the goal in the first semester to provide the students with education and hands-on experience so that they can begin providing hygiene services to adults in the second semester of the program.

The second-year focuses on perfecting the student’s hygiene skills. This is done by their ability to recognize and treat different levels of gum disease in a variety of people in the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program clinic each week. They also travel to elementary schools and provide dental services to young children 0-5 at a variety of Kern County schools sites and to veterans at the local VA Hospital, under the direction of Stacy Eastman DDS. These experiences help build their skill and knowledge and prepare for the national and CA hygiene exams.

What do the hygiene students do when they travel to school dental clinics?
Under the direction of Stacy Eastman DDS, Robin Shaffer, RDHAP and Susan McCracken RDHAP, the preschool and/or kindergarten children are given an oral assessment. After the assessment, the dental hygiene students provide to the preschool or kindergarten students a prophylaxis with fluoride. They also instruct each child (chairside) on the importance of good oral hygiene. As a reward, each child is given a new spinbrush for home use. Additionally, any children whose first primary molars have erupted and have no existing decay, the hygiene students apply sealants to the molars to prevent future decay. If any child is identified with decay, parents are contacted and offered the opportunity to have the decay treated by any one of four local pediatric dentists at no charge.

How can I learn more about this program?
For more information on the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program, please send an e-mail to dwoodson@taft.org or visit their website at: taftcollege.edu or telephone 661.763.7706.

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