Department of Dental Hygiene

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Illeana Brandt, Ed.D., R.D.H., Interim Department Chair

213 Clement Hall

615-963-5840

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 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 provides an educational program of excellence that prepares students for professional success. We are committed to delivering ongoing oral health care to all populations, advancing the Dental Hygiene profession through research, service, and fostering lifelong learning.

Goals

1. To prepare dental hygiene professionals capable of delivering quality care..

2. To encourage independent thinking, critical reasoning, problem-solving, and lifelong learning..

3. To integrate technology effectively throughout the curriculum..

4. To foster ethical behavior throughout the dental hygiene career and life.

5. To provide oral health care to all populations.

6. To advance the dental hygiene 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 15th, 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 is 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 before 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 Department’s Admissions Committee in Dental Hygiene

Programs

• Dental Hygiene, A.A.S.

Courses

• DHYG 1010 - Dental HygieneTheory I (3)
• DHYG 1014 - Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene Laboratory (2)
• DHYG 1020 - Dental Hygiene Theory II (2)
• DHYG 1024 - Clinical Dental Hygiene I (2)
• DHYG 1030 - Radiology (2)
• DHYG 1040 - Dental Materials (2)
• DHYG 1110 - Orofacial Anatomy (3)
• DHYG 1134 - Clinical Dental Hygiene II (1)
• DHYG 1140 - Head and Neck Anatomy (2)
• DHYG 1200 - Anxiety and Pain Control (3)
• DHYG 2010 - Dental Hygiene Theory III (2)
• DHYG 2014 - Clinical Dental Hygiene III (3)
• DHYG 2020 - Dental Hygiene Theory IV (2)
• DHYG 2024 - Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (3)
• DHYG 2050 - Periodontology (3)
• DHYG 2100 - General and Oral Pathology (3)
• DHYG 2110 - Community Dental Health (3)

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