Dental Hygiene, B.S.

Applicants who apply to the baccalaureate degree completion program must be graduates of an accredited associate degree program in Dental Hygiene. They must submit the following data and meet the following criteria:

1. A 2.0 grade point average in clinical dental hygiene courses and a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with grade point averages higher than the minimum may be given priority in acceptance.
2. Two letters of recommendation from dental hygiene faculty who taught the applicant. One letter must attest to the clinical competencies of the applicant. (May not be required of recent TSU graduates.)
3. Official college transcript(s). (May not be required of recent TSU graduates.)

The following advanced dental hygiene courses (3000-4000 level) require National Board Certification and/or Tennessee State Licensure: DHYG 3010 , DHYG 4020 , and DHYG 4120 .

Admission to Advanced Standing

Students admitted from other dental hygiene programs must earn, in residence, a minimum of 24 of the last 30 hours offered for the AAS degree in Dental Hygiene. To receive consideration for advanced standing, the following requirements are necessary:

1. Matriculation in an accredited dental hygiene program.
2. Official transcripts from each school.
3. Satisfactory scholastic and disciplinary records from the dental hygiene program from which the applicant is withdrawing. No students are accepted if failures have resulted in dismissal or academic probation in another dental hygiene program.
4. A statement of honorable dismissal from the dean or director of the program from which the applicant is withdrawing.
5. If the interval since attendance has exceeded two years, the applicant may be required to take examinations recommended by the Curriculum Committee or to retake courses.
6. Admission to advance standing may necessitate auditing or taking credit courses which the Curriculum Committee may deem it necessary to ensure adequate preparation for continued matriculation in the dental hygiene program.

Retention/Progression Policy

Grades less than a “C” earned in dental hygiene courses are considered non-passing. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for each academic year. Students who earn a non-passing grade in a dental hygiene course(s) are unable to progress.

Dismissal from the program will result from documented poor studentship.

Recommendations for advancement are the charge of the Dental Hygiene Evaluation Committee which meets following mid-term examinations and final examination periods.

Students who have been dismissed from the Dental Hygiene program are eligible for reconsideration only under extenuating circumstances.

Students who earn a non-passing grade in any supporting science course or any Dental Hygiene course will not be permitted to take the next sequential course(s).

Students will be dismissed from the professional program for any of the following reason(s):

1. Failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above
2. A grade less than “C” in 2 or more major field courses.
3. A grade less than “C” in more than one clinical experiences.
4. A grade less than “C” in a course that has been repeated.
5. Withdrawal from any Dental Hygiene course or failure to register for any semester without prior written approval from the Department

Students who have been dismissed from the program due to poor academic performance may reapply for admission during the next application cycle and compete for space in a subsequent class. Students requesting readmission should write to the Admissions Committee by documenting evidence of a substantial change in circumstances that could lead to improved academic performance.

Readmission Policy

A student who earns a failing grade in a dental hygiene course and would like to re-apply must do so, in writing, to the Program Director for readmission at least six weeks before the beginning of the semester readmission is requested. An updated transcript is required. Readmissions are based on previous performance in dental hygiene courses, faculty recommendations, successful completion of college core courses, and available faculty and clinical resources. There is no guarantee that any student will be readmitted.

Once a student is readmitted and earns a second failing grade in any dental hygiene course at TSU, the student cannot continue in the program.

Students who withdraw from the program may be reviewed one time by the faculty, on an individual basis, if they are eligible for re-admission to the program.