Dental Hygiene, BS
Program Description
Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals who have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program in an institution of higher education, licensed in dental hygiene to provide educational, clinical, research, administrative and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimum oral health. In performing the dental hygiene process of care, the dental hygienist assesses the patient’s oral tissues and overall health determining the presence or absence of disease, other abnormalities and disease risks; develops a dental hygiene diagnosis based on clinical findings; formulates evidence-based, patient-centered treatment care plans; performs the clinical procedures outlined in the treatment care plan; educates patients regarding oral hygiene and preventive oral care; and evaluates the outcomes of educational strategies and clinical procedures provided.
Licensure
To register for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam log onto:
Hygiene Exam
To register for the CDCA or CRDTS clinical exams, for dental hygiene licensure, log onto:
CDCA Exam
CRDTS Exam
To apply for licensure in the State of Utah log onto:
State of Utah Licensure
Professional Licensure/Certification (PLC) Requirements
The curriculum for programs at Utah Tech University leading to professional licensure are designed to prepare students for Utah licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions requiring licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University, and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.
Licensure boards in each state establish requirements for licensure and certification for their respective state. States vary by which professions are required to be licensed and how licensure functions, and such requirements may change at any time. The terms related to licensure and certification, among others, also vary by state as well.
Students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the state licensure entity in the state where they intend to work to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by the student’s state(s) of choice. The University cannot provide verification of a student’s ability to meet licensure or certification requirements unrelated to its educational programming. Some states require individuals to complete additional requirements that are unrelated to educational prerequisites. For more information, visit the State Authorization and Professional Licensure web page and select the program, or speak to the director of the program.
Utah Tech University shall not be held liable if a student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction.
This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).
Program Curriculum
120 credits
Utah Tech General Education Requirements
All Utah Tech General Education requirements must be fulfilled. A previously earned degree may fulfill those requirements, but courses must be equivalent to Utah Tech's minimum General Education standards in American Institutions, English, and Mathematics.
General Education Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English | 3-7 | |
| Mathematics | 3-5 | |
| American Institutions | 3-6 | |
| Life Sciences | 3-10 | |
| Physical Sciences | 3-5 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature/Humanities | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Exploration | 3-5 | |
Dental Hygiene Program Prerequisite Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The following coursework must be completed before applying to the Dental Hygiene program. | ||
| BIOL 2320 & BIOL 2325 | Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Lab | 5 |
| BIOL 2420 & BIOL 2425 | Human Physiology and Human Physiology Lab | 4 |
| FSHD 1020 | Sci Foundations of Nutrition (LS) | 3 |
| CHEM 1150 | Integrated Chemistry for Health Sciences (PS) 1 | 4 |
- 1
CHEM 1155 is co-requisite to CHEM 1150, but not required for Dental Hygiene program admission.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The following coursework must be completed before beginning the Dental Hygiene program. | ||
| COMM 2110 | Interpersonal Communication (SS, GC) | 3 |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Writing (EN) | 3 |
| or ENGL 1010D | Introduction to Writing (EN) | |
| ENGL 2010 | Interm Writing Selected Topics: (EN) | 3 |
| MATH 1040 | Introduction to Statistics (MA) | 3 |
| PSY 1100 | Human Development Through Lifespan (SS, GC) | 3 |
| or PSY 1010 | General Psychology (SS, GC) | |
| or FSHD 1500 | Human Development Lifespan (SS, GC) | |
| SOC 1010 | Introduction to Sociology (SS, GC) | 3 |
| or SOC 1020 | Social Problems (SS, GC) | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Electives | ||
| DHYG 1005 | Intro to Dental Sciences | 1 |
| HLOC 1000 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| BIOL 1200 | Human Biology (LS) | 3 |
Dental Hygiene Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Fall) | ||
| DHYG 3010 | Dental Hygiene Theory I | 4 |
| DHYG 3225 | Dental Hygiene Clinic I | 3 |
| DHYG 2020 | Radiology | 2 |
| DHYG 2025 | Radiology Clinic | 1 |
| DHYG 2040 | Tooth Morphology | 1 |
| DHYG 2045 | Tooth Morphology Lab | 1 |
| DHYG 3035 | Oral Anatomy and Histology | 4 |
| DHYG 3062 | Care of Medically Complex Patients | 3 |
| Second Semester (Spring) | ||
| DHYG 3510 | Dental Hygiene Theory II | 4 |
| DHYG 3525 | Dental Hygiene Clinic II (ALCE) | 4 |
| DHYG 3530 | Pharmacology | 2 |
| DHYG 2580 | Dental Materials | 1 |
| DHYG 2585 | Dental Materials Lab | 1 |
| DHYG 3540 | Periodontology | 3 |
| DHYG 3590 | Oral Microbiology | 2 |
| DHYG 3890 | Pain Control Methodology | 2 |
| DHYG 3895 | Pain Control Methodology Clinic | 1 |
| Third Semester (Summer - online) | ||
| DHYG 4010 | Biostatistics | 2 |
| DHYG 4020 | Research Methodology | 2 |
| DHYG 4030 | Leadership & Group Dynamics | 2 |
| Fourth Semester (Fall) | ||
| DHYG 3520 | General/Oral Pathology | 3 |
| DHYG 4015 | Dental Hygiene Clinic IV (ALCS) | 5 |
| DHYG 4035 | Advanced Theory and Practice I (ALPP) | 2 |
| DHYG 3050 | Legal & Ethical Issues | 2 |
| DHYG 3060 | Community Oral Health | 2 |
| DHYG 3065 | Community Oral Health Lab I (ALCS) | 1 |
| DHYG 4050 | Restorative Dental Hygiene I | 1 |
| Fifth Semester (Spring) | ||
| DHYG 4515 | Dental Hygiene Clinic V (ALCS) | 5 |
| DHYG 4555 | Restorative Dental Hygiene II | 1 |
| DHYG 4225 | Public Health Administration | 2 |
| DHYG 4230 | Community Oral Health Lab II (ALCS) | 1 |
| DHYG 4570 | Senior Project (ALCE) | 3 |
| DHYG 4545 | Advanced Theory and Practice II (ALPP) | 2 |
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
- Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
- Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
- Cumulative GPA 2.0 or higher.
- Grade C or higher in all Discipline Core and Emphasis Requirements.