Congratulations on your acceptance and decision to attend the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (Fast Track) program at MCPHS. We’re excited that you’ll be joining us in the fall. Before the program begins there are some next steps you’ll need to take to get ready. On this page you will find important information and forms that you will need to begin your studies. We will continue to post program specific information here so please bookmark this page and visit it often.
Next steps for incoming Dental Hygiene students.
White coats and name tags will be ordered for each student by the department. White coat sizes should be based on blazers or jackets that you wear over other clothing. The Fall 2020 White Coat Order Form will be available in the summer.
The Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene has stringent clinical attire criteria which will be reviewed when you arrive for your first day of pre-clinic. In the meantime, here is some preliminary information regarding uniforms, shoes, and socks that you will need to purchase:
Scrubs and warm up jackets will be available for purchase online and/or through a local vendor, Uniforms For America located in Watertown, MA. Students can purchase approved scrubs (Cherokee Workwear brand ONLY) with designated color from other vendors or suppliers as well as Uniforms For America. However, the warm up jackets MUST be purchased from Uniforms For America because of the embroidery requirements.
Scrubs (two sets: pant, top and jacket) must be purchased by September 8th, 2019 (end of the first week of school). Worcester students will purchase black colored scrubs. Further information regarding ordering scrubs will be provided to students before the beginning of the semester. In addition to scrubs, shoes and socks will also need to be purchased. Students are free to choose whatever style they wish as long as they fall within the following parameters.
- Shoes should be ALL leather with a full heel/back (slip-ons or shoes with back straps are not acceptable). There should be NO nylon, mesh, or cloth on them.
- Shoes can be only be black or white and should have minimal logos and/or additional colors.
- Socks must be high enough to cover exposed skin when clinician is seated. The color of socks is optional.
Instrument kits/equipment will be distributed to students during the first pre-clinic session.
The American Heart Association CPR/BLS Life Support Provider Course (formerly called Training for Healthcare Providers) must be completed by all students by October 6, 2019. Online BLS/CPR training is NOT accepted and a face-to-face/hands-on training course must be completed in order to meet the FSDH program requirements. A list of qualifying courses offered at a location near you can be found here.
Students are encouraged to complete this training prior to the beginning of their entering fall semester. If you hold current CPR certification, you will need to provide proof of this by sharing a copy of both sides of your signed CPR card with a course director. You are not required to repeat CPR training until your current certification period expires.
It is strongly recommended all students have a current eye exam prior to beginning the dental hygiene program. This will be helpful as students are fitted for dental loupes (magnification lenses). If you wear prescription glasses or contacts you will need to have a copy of your prescription from your eye doctor when placing your order.
Multiple DHY (dental hygiene) courses require the use of clickers (ResponseCard RF LCD) as a part of course participation. Some of these courses also require the purchase of a subscription along with the clicker. If you are not familiar with clickers, additional information will be provided to you regarding the use of this technology prior to or during the first week of class in September.
LiveText is an online e-portfolio which provided students with a virtual platform where they can present various projects and assignments. The purchase of a LiveText Account is mandatory for all students in the dental hygiene program, and the one time purchase of a LiveText account provides students with a 7-year subscription.
The current fee for purchasing LiveText is $139, however this fee may be subject to change. If you would like to purchase your account prior to the beginning of the school year, please visit the LiveText website and click on “Register” at the top of the page. Choose “Purchase Membership” and enter the information requested to create your LiveText account. When prompted select the “Standard Edition” option.