Dental Hygiene, BS

Basic Licensure Track

Students with an interest in dental hygiene are admitted to Clayton State University as a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences major with a concentration of pre-dental hygiene. Refer to the Bachelor of Health Sciences section of this Catalog for details. Separate application to this competitive admission program is required upon completion of 60 hours of lower division requirements. Students not admitted to this competitive admission program may continue with the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in consultation with academic advisor to determine appropriate concentration and career path.

Admission

The basic licensure BSDH track is available to recent high school graduates, non-traditional students, current Clayton State students, and transfer students who meet University admission requirements.

The BSDH program expands the clinically based outcomes, characteristic of associate level training, into a more broad-based foundation for future career growth. Graduates are qualified to seek employment as clinicians, office managers, public health hygienists, researchers, and marketers and have the opportunity to pursue graduate studies.

Dental Hygiene application is separate from University application and admission. Admission is competitive and space is limited. Students are admitted each fall semester into a full-time four semester program.

Minimum admission requirements include (details on the Department of Dental Hygiene website):

1. Minimum 2.80 overall GPA - combination of institutional and transfer (includes all attempts in all courses).
2. Minimum 2.80 math/science GPA (multiple attempts are averaged). 
3. Completion of 45 semester hours of BSDH core curriculum with grades of C (or K or S) or better in all natural and behavioral science, math and Lower Division Major Required courses at the time of application and 60 semesters hours at the time of enrollment in the dental hygiene program.
4. Successful completion of the legislative requirements.
5. Satisfactory completion of a dental office observation.
6. Attendance at a mandatory program information session.
7. Satisfactory evidence of overall health status consistent with the performance standards of dental hygiene and verified by a licensed health care professional.
8. Applicants will be rated on overall academic performance and specific performance in natural sciences and mathematics.  
9. Applicants who have attended another institution’s dental hygiene program are required to disclose on their application and submit a letter of good standing from the program administrator. Applicants who have been dismissed from another institution’s dental hygiene program are ineligible for admission to the dental hygiene program at Clayton State University. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Broad-based general education, preparing students to contribute to their profession, community, and society by communicating effectively, thinking critically, and conceptually, acting ethically and valuing diversity
2. Requisite skills with a strong knowledge base, hands on experience and the mindset required for success in the dynamic field of dental hygiene
3. Thorough foundation in the diversified fields of dental hygiene i.e., clinician, educator/health promoter, consumer advocate, administrator/manager, change agent and researcher
4. Emphasis on importance of life-long learning in the ever-changing profession of dental hygiene

Program Requirements

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ADA Accreditation Standards requirements for chemistry (CHEM 1151 Survey of Chemistry I/CHEM 1151L Survey of Chemistry Lab I and CHEM 1152 Survey of Chemistry II/CHEM 1152L Survey of Chemistry Lab II or CHEM 1211 Principles of Chemistry I/CHEM 1211L Principles of Chemistry Lab I and CHEM 1212 Principles of Chemistry II/CHEM 1212L Principles of Chemistry Lab II), psychology (PSYC 1101 Intro to General Psychology) and sociology (SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology) must be completed prior to program admission.

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Courses are offered in the summer semester, to second year Dental Hygiene program students only.

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Statistics course required for degree; must be satisfied prior to program admission; may be satisfied at lower or upper division level.

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Recommended courses include 3000 or 4000 level HLTH, HSCI, HCMG, HFMG or appropriate upper division statistics course.

Academic Standards

Dental Hygiene students must maintain a semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 to progress in the program. A minimum grade of “C” is required in all upper division and major courses. Students who receive a "D", "F", "WF", or "U" in any dental hygiene course will be suspended from program progression. Students may apply for readmission the following year. Students who receive any of the following: "D", "F", "WF", or "U" in any two dental hygiene courses may not continue in the program. Reference the Department of Dental Hygiene Program and Clinic Manual: Policies and Procedures. 

Please Note: This is a suggested course sequence and assumes a starting freshman with no prior college credit who intends to complete their degree in four years. Students should consult with their academic advisor and review the course prerequisites and minimum grade requirements as seen in the Academic Catalog.