Program Overview

Introduction to the Dental Hygiene Program

The goal of the UTSD Dental Hygiene Program is to provide students with the opportunity to develop clinical competency and proficiency in preventive and therapeutic oral health skills, as well as personal characteristics of a professional attitude, ethical behavior, and dedication to community service and continuing education.

Program Overview

The program provides students with the opportunity to develop entry-level dental hygiene skills through completion of the two-year post-degree certificate, baccalaureate degree curriculum, and a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene. The dental hygiene curriculum emphasizes the basic and dental sciences, including:

• Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Oral histology and embryology
• Oral pathology
• Nutrition

Curriculum and Clinical Skills

Other components of the curriculum are designed to develop the clinical skills of the dental hygiene student to provide preventive dental health services to the public. The program prepares graduates for positions in:

• Teaching
• Administration
• Management
• Oral health research

Accreditation and Admission

The UTSD Dental Hygiene Program offers a fully accredited two-year program, which leads to either a certificate or Bachelor of Science Degree in dental hygiene. The Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee considers all applicants to the program and makes recommendations to the Dean for admission of thirty students into the program each fall semester.

Degree Requirements

The minimum requirement for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene is 128 semester hours, or for a Certificate in Dental Hygiene is 100 semester hours, 66 of which must be in the required dental hygiene coursework.

RDH to BS Program

In addition to the entry-level program, the Dental Hygiene Program also offers a RDH to BS Program for dental hygienists who have completed an associate's degree or certificate in dental hygiene. After completing the required prerequisites, students enrolled in the UTSD RDH to BS Degree Program have an opportunity to successfully complete the distance-education curriculum and receive a Bachelor of Science degree.

Master of Science Dental Hygiene (MSDH) Degree Program

The MSDH degree program is offered online to dental hygienists who have a bachelor's degree in any field and certificate or associate degree in dental hygiene from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program. The MSDH creates opportunities for dental hygienists to teach in dental hygiene programs and prepares graduates for positions in:

• Teaching
• Administration
• Management
• Oral health research

Minimum Requirements for the Master of Science Degree

The minimum requirement for the Master of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene is 33 semester hours. The American Dental Education Association reports that the need for dental hygiene educators will be increasing in the near future.