The Dental Hygiene Program provides the students with academic and clinical opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to become a dental hygiene professional. A dental hygienist is a member of the dental team who provides direct care to patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The duties of a dental hygienist include patient assessments, taking radiographs, teeth cleaning and polishing, applying preventive agents, nonsurgical periodontal therapies (scaling & root planning), administering local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, taking impressions, pouring up study models and making bleaching trays.

The education program is a combination of classroom lectures, hands-on lab and clinical activities, along with numerous service learning opportunities. The program is demanding and quite rigorous in the scope and depth of study. Individuals who are strong in the biological sciences and human anatomy, have good dexterity, attention to detail and possess critical thinking skills are excellent candidates for a career in Dental Hygiene. Upon graduation, students must successfully complete the National Dental Hygiene Board Exam, the Central Regional Board Exam and then obtain a license in the state they wish to practice. Dental Hygiene is a very competitive program.

Process

Additional Program Information is available from this webpage on the left-hand side including the Admissions Process for the programs, Program Faculty Information, and other important program related information.  Please review all of the program information on the Program Admissions link.  This is a professional education program and you will be expected to display personal responsibility and understanding of the requirements of the program and profession.  If you still have additional questions, please attend an information meeting and learn more about applying to the program and what types of jobs this education can lead towards.

Informational Meeting

All students that are interested in the Dental Hygiene program should sign up for an informational meeting. For those interested in the program you will get a chance to meet faculty, tour the Dental Clinic and receive all the information needed to be considered for the program. You may reserve a seat for an informational meeting by signing up online here.