Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

The Department of Dental Hygiene provides the fundamental and technical skills needed to become a licensed dental hygienist. Through classroom instruction, clinical practice, and community outreach, students gain real-world experience and the interdisciplinary knowledge essential for today's dental hygiene field.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene is offered through a flexible, personalized education with courses available in both hybrid and face-to-face formats. Certain prerequisite courses, including a minimum of one academic year of courses, are required prior to applying to the dental hygiene program.

What You Will Learn

In the program, students will learn about:

• Clinical dental hygiene care
• Patient management
• Head, neck, and dental anatomy
• Teamwork
• Periodontal care and therapy, including local anesthesia
• Interprofessional education
• Oral radiology
• Problem-solving skills

Career and Salary Outlook

As a dental hygiene graduate, students can become employed as a dental hygienist once they have their professional license. The average starting salary for a dental hygienist in the state of Utah is around $100,000, although this varies greatly depending on clinics and hours.

Associate's to Bachelor's Pathway

The associate's degree to bachelor's degree path allows students to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene while enrolled in the associate's degree program. Students must complete all associate of science and bachelor of science degree requirements from the university, which include general education courses and several program prerequisites.

Course Requirements and Prerequisites

Before starting the dental hygiene program, students must complete certain prerequisite general education and science courses. All course prerequisites are listed in the university catalog.

Bachelor's Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene requires the completion of a minimum of 120 total credit hours, including 40 upper-division credits and 30 residency credits at the university.

Possible Course Sequence

The following is a suggested course sequence for students pursuing the associate's to bachelor's degree pathway:

Semester One (Fall)

• ENGL 1010: Introductory College Writing (3 credits)
• PSY 1010: Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
• HTHS 2110: Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
• COMM 1020: Principles of Public Speaking (3 credits)
• Quantitative Literacy (QL) Requirement (3-6 credits) Total Credits: 1619

Semester Two (Spring)

• ENGL 2010: Intermediate College Writing (3 credits)
• HTHS 2111: Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
• SOC 1010: Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• NUTR 1020: Science and Application of Human Nutrition (3 credits)
• American Institutions (3 credits) Total Credits: 16

Semester Three (Fall)

• Information Literacy requirement or ENGL 2015 (1 or 4 credits)
• HTHS 2230: Introductory Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• General Education Requirement (3 credits)
• General Education Requirement (3 credits)
• General Education Requirement (3 credits) Total Credits: 13 or 16

Semester Four (Spring)

• Five General Education or Upper Division Courses (3 credits each) Total Credits: 15

Semester Five (Fall, First Year in Program)

• DENT 2201: Concepts of Community Dental Health (1 credit)
• DENT 2205: Head/Neck and Dental Anatomy (2 credits)
• DENT 2206: Clinical Dental Hygiene/Radiology (4 credits)
• DENT 2207: Dental Hygiene I (3 credits)
• DENT 2208: Radiology (1 credit)
• DENT 2250: Professional Ethics (1 credit) Total Credits: 12

Semester Six (Spring)

• DENT 2211: Oral Pathology (3 credits)
• DENT 2215: Periodontology (2 credits)
• DENT 2216: Clinical Dental Hygiene II (3 credits)
• DENT 2217: Dental Hygiene II (3 credits)
• DENT 2235: Dental Medicine (2 credits) Total Credits: 13

Semester Seven (Fall, Second Year in Program)

• DENT 2219: Dental Materials (1 credit)
• DENT 3305: Pain Control (3 credits)
• DENT 3336: Clinical Dental Hygiene III (4 credits)
• DENT 3337: Dental Hygiene III (3 credits)
• DENT 4530: Principles and Application of Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice (2 credits)
• DENT 4800: Individual Research (1-3 credits) Total Credits: 13 minimum

Semester Eight (Spring)

• DENT 3301: Community Dental Health Service Learning Lab (1 credit)
• DENT 3346: Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (5 credits)
• DENT 3347: Dental Hygiene IV (2 credits)
• DENT 4780: Baccalaureate Thesis (3 credits)
• DENT 4800: Individual Research (1-3 credits)
• DENT 4890: Advanced Community or Clinical Work Experience (2 credits) Total Credits: 12 minimum

Degree Completion Notes

Minimum for graduation: 120 total credit hours. Additional requirements: 40 upper-division credits and 30 residency credits at the university.

Bachelor of Science Completion Degree

If students already have an associate-level degree in dental hygiene, they can transfer into the university's dental hygiene program and earn a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Prerequisites include general education and science prerequisite courses, along with the courses required for an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene.

Course Requirements

In addition to the associate's degree coursework, the following courses are also required to earn a bachelor's degree:

• DENT 4530: Principles and Application of Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice (2 credits)
• DENT 4780: Baccalaureate Thesis (3 credits)
• DENT 4890: Advanced Community or Clinical Work Experience (2 credits)

Degree Completion Requirements

Minimum for graduation: 120 total credit hours. Additional requirements: 40 upper-division credits and 30 residency credits at the university. All course requirements and prerequisites are listed in the university catalog.