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

English3-7
Mathematics3-5
American Institutions3-6
Life Sciences3-10
Physical Sciences3-5
Fine Arts3
Literature/Humanities3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
Exploration 3-5

Dental Hygiene Program Prerequisite Requirements 

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 1020Sci Foundations of Nutrition (LS)3
CHEM 1150Integrated Chemistry for Health Sciences (PS) 14
1

  CHEM 1155 is co-requisite to CHEM 1150, but not required for Dental Hygiene program admission.

The following coursework must be completed before beginning the Dental Hygiene program.
COMM 2110Interpersonal Communication (SS, GC)3
ENGL 1010Introduction to Writing (EN)3
or ENGL 1010D Introduction to Writing (EN)
ENGL 2010Interm Writing Selected Topics: (EN)3
MATH 1040Introduction to Statistics (MA)3
PSY 1100Human Development Through Lifespan (SS, GC)3
or PSY 1010 General Psychology (SS, GC)
or FSHD 1500 Human Development Lifespan (SS, GC)
SOC 1010Introduction to Sociology (SS, GC)3
or SOC 1020 Social Problems (SS, GC)
Recommended Electives
DHYG 1005Intro to Dental Sciences1
HLOC 1000Medical Terminology2
BIOL 1200Human Biology (LS)3

Dental Hygiene Program Requirements 

First Semester (Fall)
DHYG 3010Dental Hygiene Theory I4
DHYG 3225Dental Hygiene Clinic I3
DHYG 2020Radiology2
DHYG 2025Radiology Clinic1
DHYG 2040Tooth Morphology1
DHYG 2045Tooth Morphology Lab1
DHYG 3035Oral Anatomy and Histology4
DHYG 3062Care of Medically Complex Patients3
Second Semester (Spring)
DHYG 3510Dental Hygiene Theory II4
DHYG 3525Dental Hygiene Clinic II (ALCE)4
DHYG 3530Pharmacology2
DHYG 2580Dental Materials1
DHYG 2585Dental Materials Lab1
DHYG 3540Periodontology3
DHYG 3590Oral Microbiology2
DHYG 3890Pain Control Methodology2
DHYG 3895Pain Control Methodology Clinic1
Third Semester (Summer - online)
DHYG 4010Biostatistics 2
DHYG 4020Research Methodology2
DHYG 4030Leadership & Group Dynamics2
Fourth Semester (Fall)
DHYG 3520General/Oral Pathology3
DHYG 4015Dental Hygiene Clinic IV (ALCS)5
DHYG 4035Advanced Theory and Practice I (ALPP)2
DHYG 3050Legal & Ethical Issues2
DHYG 3060Community Oral Health 2
DHYG 3065Community Oral Health Lab I (ALCS)1
DHYG 4050Restorative Dental Hygiene I1
Fifth Semester (Spring)
DHYG 4515Dental Hygiene Clinic V (ALCS)5
DHYG 4555Restorative Dental Hygiene II1
DHYG 4225Public Health Administration2
DHYG 4230Community Oral Health Lab II (ALCS)1
DHYG 4570Senior Project (ALCE)3
DHYG 4545Advanced Theory and Practice II (ALPP)2

Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
  2. Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
  3. Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
  4. Cumulative GPA 2.0 or higher.
  5. Grade C or higher in all Discipline Core and Emphasis Requirements.