Your journey to a rewarding career in dental hygiene starts right here! Known as a leading Dental Hygiene School in Texas, we provide a nationally recognized program that empowers you to promote oral health, transform smiles, and make a profound impact in your community.
The Dental Hygiene program requires that students complete a program application and purchase instructional supplies and materials specific to the program.
In addition to applying to WCJC, Dental Hygiene requires a program application. Complete the application and return it to the Dental Hygiene department via email. A faculty member will follow up with you to schedule an orientation.
Please contact Cylinda Konvicka for information about the application process for Dental Hygiene or information about the Anna T. Harrison Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Phone: (979) 532-6429
Email: konvickac@wcjc.edu
Estimated Total: $4,905 / $5,515 / $6,035 (In District / Out of District / Out of State)
Estimated Total: $3,891 / $4,623 / $5,247 (In District / Out of District / Out of State)
Estimated Total: $441 / $563 / $667 (In District / Out of District / Out of State)
Estimated Total: $3,490 / $4,100 / $4,620 (In District / Out of District / Out of State)
Estimated Total: $3,541 / $3,968 / $4,332 (In District / Out of District / Out of State)
Attendance at student conferences is required 1 time during the 2-year program. The estimated cost for the registration fee and the hotel is $500. This fee has been added to the estimated total cost.
* The projected cost for the two-year (five-semester) Dental Hygiene Program is about $11,500 in the district with used books. This projection is an estimate and can change at any time according to the college catalog schedule of fees, price of books, state and national exams, and miscellaneous expenses
At WCJC, we pride ourselves on offering a learning environment that mirrors the professional world. Our on-site dental clinic, part of our Dental Hygiene Program, boasts cutting-edge facilities. With 24 modern dental units designed for both right and left-handed instruction, the clinic ensures a hands-on learning experience for all students.
The laboratory is equipped with the latest technology, where students learn advanced techniques such as teeth bleaching, the usage of the intra-oral camera, and digital radiography. In this dynamic setting, you'll be exposed to real-world experiences, preparing you for a successful career in dental hygiene.
At WCJC, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. The Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) provides an avenue for students to engage, network, and grow professionally.
We also encourage involvement in national and state organizations. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association (TDHA) offer expansive platforms for professional development and networking. Visit their websites at www.adha.org and www.texasdha.org to learn more about how these organizations can enhance your dental hygiene career.Ms. Derkowski received her AAS degree from WCJC and is a registered dental hygienist. She received her BAAS and MAIE from Sam Houston State University. Ms. Derkowski has 8 years of clinical experience and has been a dental hygiene instructor for Wharton County Junior College since 1977.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building 206-B
Phone: (979) 532-6428
Email: carold@wcjc.edu
Ms. Wilson received her AAS in Dental Hygiene degree from Wharton County Junior College. She later continued her education with a B.S. in Dental Hygiene. Ms. Wilson was a part-time instructor for 13 years while working in private practice for 27 years prior to becoming a full-time instructor. Ms. Wilson is the senior clinic coordinator and teaches Contemporary Dental Hygiene Care I and II, Dental Materials, Pre-clinic Dental Hygiene, and Clinical Dental Hygiene I, II, and III.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building 110-H
Phone: (979) 532-6398
Email: wilsong@wcjc.edu
Ms. Bay received her A.A.S. degree from Wharton County Junior College. She earned her B.A.A.S. degree from the University of Houston – Victoria with a major in Psychology. Mrs. Bay has been a part-time/full-time instructor for Wharton County Junior College since 1999. She currently teaches Clinical Dental Hygiene, Dental Materials, and Dental Radiology.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building 110-U
Phone: (979) 532-6448
Email: francih@wcjc.edu
Ms. Mayfield has been a Dental Hygiene instructor at WCJC since 1998. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Science degree from the University of Houston at Victoria in 1984 and a Master of Education – Administration & Supervision in 2002. She teaches Community Dentistry, Practice Management, Pre-Clinic, and Clinic I, II, and III.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building 110-J
Phone: (979) 532-6427
Email: smayfield@wcjc.edu
Archived Administrative Master Syllabi
Wharton County Junior College offers its facilities for the CRDTS dental hygiene licensure examination.
The Dr. Anna T. Harrison Dental Hygiene Clinic is located on the Wharton Campus in the Johnson Health Occupations Center, on the first floor.
Parking: Parking is free and available in Parking Lot #6. Participants should park between
the white lines.
Building Hours: The building will be open each day from 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM. No additional visitors will be permitted without prior permission from the site manager.
Site Fee: All candidates, including WCJC students, will be assessed a fee of $250. This fee will include the use of the facility, equipment and miscellaneous supplies. The Site Fee Form must be completed and returned with a non-refundable money order or cashier's check payable to WCJC.
Site Photos:
WCJC will provide the following equipment:
There is no repair service available for equipment the candidate brings to the site
or a guarantee that such
equipment is compatible with the clinic facilities. Therefore, we encourage you to
use the equipment
provided by our site. There is no additional charge.
WCJC will not provide the following:
Personal Protection and Infection Control:
Candidates must strictly adhere to all CDC guidelines concerning barrier protection
and instrument/equipment
sterilization. It is the policy of the Wharton County Junior College Dental Hygiene
Program that all students/candidates wear scrubs, disposable over gowns, protective
eyewear with side shields, gloves, face
shield and face-masks while performing patient treatment. Each candidate is responsible
for providing this equipment. All instruments must be sterile and appropriately packaged.
Sterilization services are not available prior to or after the examination.
Local Accommodations:
Holiday Inn Express
1200 Hwy 59
Wharton, TX 77488
979-282-8300
Express Inn
2393 FM 102
Wharton, TX 77488
979-488-9440
Questions?
Contact Carol J Derkowski, RDH, MAIE
Chair, Allied Health Division
Director of Dental Hygiene
carold@wcjc.edu
979-532-6428
The scope of practice for dental hygienists is defined by the Texas Occupations Code and the rules established by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). Dental hygienists are authorized to perform various preventive and therapeutic procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist. These procedures include removing deposits and stains from teeth, smoothing rough root surfaces, polishing teeth and restorations, applying topical medications, taking dental X-rays, applying pit and fissure sealants, and monitoring nitrous oxide sedation after obtaining appropriate certification. Hygienists may practice in a supervising dentist's office or in alternate settings such as schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and public health clinics, provided they are under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Recent legislative changes, such as House Bill 3824, have expanded the scope of practice by allowing dental hygienists to administer local infiltration anesthesia after completing board-approved training. Additionally, dental hygienists seeking to use lasers for non-diagnostic purposes must complete specific continuing education requirements, including clinical simulation training. These regulations ensure that dental hygienists in Texas provide safe and effective care within their defined scope of practice.
Clinical services provided in the Wharton County Junior College Dental Hygiene Clinic by students, as well as supervising faculty, are classified as Category 1 Tasks. Category 1 is defined by the OSHA guidelines as follows: “All procedures or other job‐related tasks that involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them.”
Dental personnel are exposed to a wide variety of microorganisms in the blood and saliva of patients. These microorganisms may cause infectious diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, herpes, hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS. The use of effective infection control procedures in the dental clinic will prevent cross‐contamination that may extend to the students, patients, and staff. Because all patients cannot be identified by history, physical examination, or readily available laboratory tests, each patient must be considered as potentially infectious and the same infection control procedures should be followed for each patient. The Wharton County Junior College Dental Hygiene Program strictly adheres to a routinely practices the “Standard Precautions” against bloodbourne pathogens enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
