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 leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

Program Overview

The registered dental hygienist is 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. The dental hygiene AAS degree is a three-year program with one year of prerequisite science and general education courses and 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.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the dental hygiene program is competitive. Six students per year are accepted, 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 with a C 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
  • Required prerequisite courses include:
    • BIOL F213X: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
    • BIOL F214X: 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)

Program Requirements

• Complete the general university requirements
• Complete the AAS degree requirements
• 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)
• Minimum credits required: 69 credits
• Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.

Accreditation

The dental hygiene program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.