Dental Hygiene (Associate to B.S.)
Bernice Mills, RDH, MS, BS
bmills@une.edu
Mission
The Dental Hygiene Program improves the oral health of individuals and communities by graduating students who value life-long learning along with the desire and motivation to achieve beyond the limits of self-expectation. Individuals are supported by faculty in an environment that develops both intellectual curiosity and professional expertise.
Major Description
The 91AV offers a bachelor of science completion program for registered dental hygienists already holding an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. The bachelor of science program advances education in dental hygiene skills and prepares students for a broader range of careers in dental hygiene, community health, administration, research, or teaching. The bachelor of science degree program builds upon the knowledge obtained at the associate degree level with core curriculum courses in the arts and sciences and upper division courses in dental hygiene, management, health care, and interprofessional education. This program is designed to prepare students to meet the challenges of the changing health care delivery system and to establish a foundation for graduate study.
Admissions
Admission Requirements: Current 91AV Dental Hygiene Students
- Must currently be maintaining a 2.5 GPA.
- Must have written approval of the program director.
- Must have a current physical examination form on file at 91AV.
- Must complete all degree requirements for graduation from the Dental Hygiene (Associate Degree) program at the 91AV.
- Must submit a "change of major" form.
Admission Requirements: Dental Hygienist with an Associate Degree
- Must be a graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association - Commission on Dental Accreditation.
- Must have completed the requirements for a Dental Hygiene (Associate Degree) with at least a 2.5 grade point average(GPA).
- Must submit official college transcripts reflecting an overall GPA of 2.5, in addition to a GPA of 2.5 in all science and math courses.
- Must submit official high school transcripts.
- Must submit a health record indicating specific findings regarding applicant's complete physical exam.
- Must complete the 91AV admissions application.
See Undergraduate Admissions also.
Transfer Credit
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
For students transferring from another institution, a minimum of 45 credits in attendance is required for a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene. That is, you must take at least 45 credits at 91AV. The student's individual course of study may include a mandatory clinical component if the associate degree was awarded more than ten years ago. If there appears to be an area of clinical deficiency, due to time away from clinical practice or the introduction of new technology and knowledge into the practice of dental hygiene, a clinical dental hygiene course may be required. Other restrictions apply.
Program Academic and Technical Standards
A minimum grade of "C" is required in all BIO, CHE, and DEN prefix courses and professional electives. A "C" or higher must be achieved in all prerequisites for these courses.
Curricular Requirements
| Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 208 - Anatomy and Physiology I or BIO 108 Human Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 209 - Anatomy and Physiology II or BIO 109 Human Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 242 - Applied Microbiology | 4 |
| ARH, ENG, HIS, LIL, PHI, PSC or REL 276 HT: Beginning to Ren | 3 |
| ARH, ENG, HIS, LIL, PHI, PSC or REL 278 HT: Ren to Present | 3 |
| CHE 130 - Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| CIT 400 - Citizenship Seminar | 1 |
| Creative Arts Experience | 3 |
| ENG 110 - English Composition | 4 |
| Exploration | 3 |
| SPC 100 - Speech | 3 |
| Advanced Humanities (2 courses) | 6 |
| MAT 120 - Statistics | 3 |
| PSY 220 - Sociocultural Context of Human Development I | 3 |
| PSY 270 - Sociocultural Context of Human Development II | 3 |
| Elective courses | 6 |
| Minimum University Core Requirement Credits | 57 |
| Major Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| DEN 101 - Dental Anatomy, Oral Histology, and Embryology | 3 |
| DEN 102 - Head and Neck Anatomy | 3 |
| DEN 210 - Nutrition | 3 |
| DEN 211 - Clinical Dental Hygiene I | 4 |
| DEN 212 - Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 4 |
| DEN 213 - Radiology | 3 |
| DEN 217 - Preservation of Tooth Structure | 3 |
| DEN 221 - Concepts of Community Health | 2 |
| DEN 301 - Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene I | 5 |
| DEN 302 - Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 5 |
| DEN 305 - General and Oral Pathology | 3 |
| DEN 308 - Dental Pharmacology | 3 |
| DEN 321L - Community Health Practicum | 1 |
| DEN 330 - Periodontology | 3 |
| DEN 340 - Clinical Periodontology for Dent Hygienists | 3 |
| DEN 436 - Seminar: Current Concepts in Dental Hygiene I | 3 |
| DEN 470 - Dental Hygiene Internship | 3 |
| Professional Elective(s) - Should be selected with approval of your program director or academic advisor-must be 300 level or higher. | 6 |
| Integrated, Interdisciplinary Health and Healing Course | 3 |
| Minimum Major Course Requirement Credits | 63 |
| Minimum Required Total Credits | 120 |
Learning Outcomes
The Dental Hygiene Program offers students the opportunity to:
- Competently provide the public with dental hygiene care based on a sound foundation of scientific knowledge and effective decision-making.
- Provide individuals and groups with up-to-date dental hygiene care as an essential component of comprehensive, interprofessional health care.
- Explore the complexities of ethical decision-making as it relates to professional situations.
- Gain access to dental hygiene licensure in the state of choice by successfully preparing students to complete the national and regional board examinations.
- Develop a commitment to life-long learning by continuing with educational plans following graduation.
- Demonstrate the knowledge necessary to assess, plan, implement and evaluate community-based oral health programs.
- Utilize appropriate communication methods to effectively provide patient care.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.