Dental Hygiene

Mr. Gary-Lee A. Lewis, BS., R.D.H., M.Ed., Department Chair

213 Clement Hall

615-963-5801

Faculty: G .A. Lewis, J. Williams, I. Brandt, T. Stoudemire, G. Battiste

Clinical Supervisors: K. Sykes, T. Robertson, S. Beltran, K. Gordon, B. Kibbel, A. Armstrong, J. Poss, L. Nichols (Supervisory Dentist)

Staff: TBA (Department Administrative Assistant), S. Spurlock (Clinic Administrative Assistant), S. Jones (Clinic Assistant)

General Statement

General Statement: Two academic degree programs are offered by the Department of Dental Hygiene: The entry-level program is our (79 credit hour) Associate of Applied Sciences in Dental Hygiene. The second program is our (41 credit hours) Bachelor of Science Degree Completion On-line delivered Program slated to start its first class in fall 2024.

“The Dental Hygienist is a licensed oral health care professional who integrates the roles of a clinician, educator, consumer advocate, manager, change agent and researcher to prevent oral disease and to promote health.” (Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice, Saunders, St. Louis, MO 2010)

Mission Statement

The Department of Dental Hygiene is committed to an educational program of excellence for its students. The Department further pledges to provide ongoing oral health care to all populations, especially those designated as underserved through community service and cultural diversity. We pledge to continue the promotion of Dental Hygiene as a profession and promote lifelong learning.

Goals

To develop well-prepared dental hygiene professionals who deliver quality care regardless of cultural diversity.
To provide an environment which facilitates students to think; become critical thinkers; learn to problem solve and engage in lifelong learning.
To promote the effective use of technology throughout the curriculum among faculty and students.
To promote a positive value system that will foster ethical behavior throughout a student’s life and career as a dental hygienist.
To promote and provide oral health care to everyone including populations designated as underserved.
To promote Dental Hygiene as a profession through service learning and civic engagement.

Graduates of the AAS degree program in Dental Hygiene are eligible to take the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and Regional/State clinical Board Examinations throughout the country.

Admission/Retention Requirements

A student must be accepted into the University before applying to the Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program. Applications to the Department of Dental Hygiene must be received by January 15th , March 15 or May 15 the year in which admission is requested. Any applications received after these respective deadlines will not be considered for admission.
The addition of the March and May deadlines are designed to enable students who are currently enrolled in a prerequisite course or who missed taking the Admissions Test for Dental Hygiene, ATDH by the January deadline to still be considered for our August enrollment. Meeting this March or May 15th places you in a conditional acceptance until your application review is complete. Your subsequent admission will be based on a review of your packet and “Space Availability”. Admission into Dental Hygiene is required prior to enrolling in any dental hygiene (DHYG) courses.

NOTE

Acceptance to the University does not ensure acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program. After notification of acceptance to the University by the Office of Admissions and Records, the prospective applicant’s admissions materials should be submitted directly to the Dental Hygiene Department. All newly submitted admissions material will then be evaluated by the Admissions Committee in the Dental Hygiene Department. Dental Hygiene applicants will be informed of their acceptance or non-acceptance by the Department Chairperson or designee of the Departments Admissions’ Committee in Dental Hygiene

Programs

Major

Courses

Dental Hygiene