Dental Hygiene A.A.S. Degree
Program Overview
University of Alaska Fairbanks: Dental Hygiene Program
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers a Dental Hygiene program through the College of Rural and Community Development, Community and Technical College. This program is designed to prepare students for a career as a registered dental hygienist, a licensed oral health educator and clinical operator who uses preventive, educational, and therapeutic methods to help individuals and groups attain and maintain optimum oral health.
Program Overview
The dental hygiene A.A.S. degree is a three-year program that includes one year of prerequisite science and general education courses, followed by two years of coursework in dental hygiene. The program prepares graduates clinically and academically to take the National and Western Regional Examining Boards for licensure. Once enrolled as a dental hygiene student, the student can anticipate a four-semester, 40-hour-per-week intensive program, with some evening classes and clinics scheduled.
Accreditation
The dental hygiene program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the dental hygiene program is competitive, with six students accepted per year based on the following criteria:
- Complete UAF application
- Complete dental hygiene program application
- Proof of immunity to rubella, rubeola, varicella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
- Evidence of freedom from tuberculosis by PPD or chest X-ray within the previous six months
- Current CPR certification for health care providers
- Complete the required prerequisite courses with a C* (2.0) or better in each course, and an overall GPA of at least 2.5
- Scores on the Health Occupational Basic Entrance Test (HOBET)
- Personal interview for top-tier candidates
- Complete prerequisite courses:
- BIOL F111X: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- BIOL F112X: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- BIOL F240: Beginnings in Microbiology (4 credits)
- CHEM F103X: Basic General Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHEM F104X: Beginnings in Biochemistry: A Survey of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (4 credits)
- HLTH F203: Science of Nutrition (3 credits)
- PSY F101: Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
Major Requirements
To complete the A.A.S. degree in Dental Hygiene, students must:
- Complete the general university requirements
- Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements, including SOC F100X for the human relations requirement
- Complete the following program (major) requirements:
- DA F150: Dental Radiography (4 credits)
- DH F111: Dental Anatomy Embryology and Histology (2 credits)
- DH F112: Techniques I for Dental Hygienists (7 credits)
- DH F114: Anatomy of the Orofacial Structures (2 credits)
- DH F121: Periodontics I (2 credits)
- DH F122: Techniques II for Dental Hygienists (4 credits)
- DH F165: Introduction to Dental Pharmacology (2 credits)
- DH F181: Clinical Practicum I (4 credits)
- DH F182: Clinical Seminar I (1 credit)
- DH F211: Periodontics II (2 credits)
- DH F212: Techniques III for Dental Hygienists (3 credits)
- DH F214: Pathology of Oral Tissues (2 credits)
- DH F224: Principles of Dental Health (3 credits)
- DH F283: Clinical Practicum II for Dental Hygienists (5 credits)
- DH F284: Clinical Seminar II (1 credit)
- DH F285: Clinical Practicum III for Dental Hygienists (6 credits)
- DH F286: Clinical Seminar III (1 credit)
- DH F310: Oral Pain Control for Dental Hygienists (3 credits)
- Earn a minimum of 69 credits
Additional Information
Students must earn a C grade (2.0) or better in each course. Courses with equivalent content transferred from another university may be substituted for the above UAF courses.