Health Requirements / Policies

Bloodborne and Infectious Disease Policy

The Dental Hygiene Program at University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry has policies and procedures in place to prevent transmission of infectious diseases, including diseases caused by the Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and Human Immunodeficiency virus.  These policies and procedures include the Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Disease Policy, and Infection Control Policy are in place to protect students, faculty, staff and patients, and include training and education, vaccinations, use of protective attire, disinfection of clinical surfaces and equipment and sterilization of instruments and devices used to provide oral health care, among others.  Students treat all patients that are assigned and therefore are at risk of exposure to bloodborne and other diseases. We respect the rights of patients who have bloodborne diseases to receive health care services, and no student will be denied access to education at the University of the Pacific solely based on bloodborne disease status.   

Health Requirements 

Prior to entry into the professional portion of the program health requirements must be met and documentation submitted to the Cowell Wellness Center.

Required

• Health History and Physical Examination
  • Complete within 3 months of classes starting if new to Pacific. Continuing Pacific students do not need to have a physical if they had had one completed within 3 months of starting at Pacific or during their education at Pacific.
  • Form is available students.pulse.pacific.edu/HealthForms and https://healthservices.pacific.edu
• Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Three documented vaccines (Titer will suffice if documentation is not available)
  • Hep B Surface Antibody showing immunity (Must have even if you have 3 vaccines)
• MMR (Meals, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Two Documented vaccines or titer showing immunity
• Varicella Vaccine (Chickenpox)
  • Two documented vaccines, documented disease or titer showing immunity
• Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis)
  • One documented vaccine in the last 10 years
• Tuberculosis Screening (see Tuberculosis Screening Information Sheet)
  • 2-step PPD screening within 3 months of starting school if no history of positive PPD test or disease
  • Chest X-ray within 3 months of starting school if history of positive PPD test or disease
• Influenza Vaccine
  • Required before matriculation and offered on campus at Cowell Wellness Center

Recommended

• Meningitis Vaccine
  • Must Submit signed disclosure form if living in Residence Halls
  • Recommended if not updated in last 5 years
• HPV Vaccine
  • Recommended for males and females, 26 years or younger. A series of three vaccines.

Inquiries about health requirements and supporting documentation are handled through the Cowell Student Health Center (209) 946-2315.

The School of Dentistry will not deny admission to the program to any person based on the presence of bloodborne disease.