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Dental Hygiene

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Help the world smile brighter with a degree in dental hygiene.

The Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene prepares students to serve as consumer advocates for oral healthcare. They are an integral part of the dental team, able to provide instruction and therapeutic services in the prevention of oral diseases. The curriculum combines general education, biomedical and dental sciences, and hygiene courses that provide didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Admission to the program is highly selective. A grade of C or above is required in ALL courses applicable to the program in order to progress. A separate program admission application process is required.

Successful completion of the program prepares graduates for the written National Board Examination and the clinical dental hygiene examinations required for licensure to become a registered dental hygienist, an integral part of any dental team.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wage for dental hygienists in 2023 was $87,530.

Format

On Campus

Credit Hours

120

Degree Plan

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Online Completion Degree Option

Dental Hygiene-A.A.S. to B.S. Dental Hygiene Online Completion

This program is specifically designed for dental hygienists with an associate degree who desire to advance their education toward a baccalaureate degree. The fully online A.A.S. to B.S. completer provides enhanced theoretical and clinical knowledge to promote career advancement or the option to move into a new field related to dental hygiene, pursue a master's degree, or strengthen professional skills in communication and evidence-base practice.


Certificate of Proficiency

This 9-credit hour program provides curriculum designed for those in helping professions such as human services, health care organizations, educators, and others. Courses include Intermediate Spanish I, II, and Spanish for the Professions. Beginning Spanish I and II or required placement scores are prerequisites for Intermediate Spanish I. Please note that this certificate program is associated with the College of Arts and Sciences. For more information please contact the World Languages Department.


Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

  • demonstrate all graduate competencies set forth by the Commission on Dental Accreditation to become a successful and productive hygienist who delivers optimal care to patients in the private healthcare setting.
  • be clinically competent in assessing, exposing, and electronically storing dental radiographs when delivering care to patients.
  • apply the knowledge to deliver the Dental Hygiene Process of Care to patients by assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating.
  • demonstrate the provision of dental hygiene care to promote client health and wellness using critical thinking and problem solving skills in the provision of an evidence-based practice.
  • communicate effectively to patients and other dental healthcare professionals.
  • access and evaluate appropriate information through written and electronic means.
  • apply ethical frameworks to resolve a variety of ethical dilemmas.

CODA Accreditation

CODA Accreditation LogoThe program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements."

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