Entry Level Dental Hygiene Program

The Dental Hygiene Program at The Ohio State University is a four-year course of study leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Ohio State grants the only baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene in the State of Ohio.

The program structure, prerequisites, and admission criteria below are applicable to students who seek admission to the Dental Hygiene Class of 2015.

Program Structure and Scheduling – Dental Hygiene Class of 2015
The four-year program in dental hygiene includes two years of general education courses and program prerequisites followed by two years in the professional program. The pre-dental hygiene program is composed of courses in the General Education Curriculum (GEC) and natural sciences that will be used as a foundation for the dental hygiene major. Careful planning of the pre-dental hygiene program is necessary to meet the stated program prerequisites in two years. A total of 124 semester hours are required for graduation.

During the first two years, prospective students should complete all program prerequisites including the university's General Education Curriculum (GEC). Students apply for admission during autumn term of the second year, and all applicants will be notified of their admission during spring term. Successful applicants will enter the dental hygiene major in autumn term of the junior year. Once enrolled in the professional program, completion of the dental hygiene major requires two years of full-time study including May term during the junior year.

Admission to Dental Hygiene for Autumn 2013
Admission is selective and competitive. Spaces in the class are limited, so not all qualified applicants can be admitted. The overall grade point average and grades in the required sciences are important factors in the admission decision. Applications will be available June 1, 2012 and are due December 1, 2012. Most admission decisions will be made following receipt of autumn 2012 grades and will be conditional on successful completion of any remaining prerequisites prior to autumn 2013 matriculation.

Prerequisites for Admission

-- C– or higher in English 110, Quantitative and Logical Skills, Anatomy 199, Biology 101 or 113, Chemistry 101 or 121, one additional natural science (from Chemistry 102, EEOB 232, Human Nutrition 310, or Microbiology 509), and Psychology 100. These courses, or their semester equivalents, must be completed by the end of autumn 2012 in order to be considered for admission for the autumn 2013 term.

-- C– or higher in the remaining natural sciences (Chemistry 102, EEOB 232, Human Nutrition 310, and Microbiology 509) by the end of spring 2013, and completion of all remaining GECs listed below prior to matriculation.

-- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7. Most competitive applicants will have a cumulative grade point average above 3.0. The average grade point for admitted students in recent years was 3.4–3.5.

-- Minimum science grade point average of 2.5. Most competitive applicants will have a science grade point average above 2.8. The average science grade point for admitted students in recent years was 3.2–3.3.

-- Documentation of a minimum of 20 hours of observation of dental hygienists in private practice. This experience provides the applicant with a first-hand look at the profession of dental hygiene. Students will benefit from a variety of observation experiences, but at minimum the 20 hours must include two or more dental hygienists and be conducted in two or more dental practices. The 20 hours should include at least one general practice office. Observation hours may not be scheduled with a family member and may not take place in a teaching facility such as a college or university or in any office where the prospective student has been employed. It is not necessary to document hours in excess of the 20 hours required. Observation hours are subject to verification. Students should record the following information as they complete each observation as this information will be requested in the program application: Name of dental hygienist observed; type of dental practice; date(s) of observation; total hours with this dental hygienist; dental office address and telephone number. Applicants will also be asked to describe three things they learned at each observation site.

Admission criteria and application procedures are subject to change. Please visit this web site regularly for updated information.

Application for Admission
The admission criteria, instructions, and application are available on The Ohio State University Professional Admissions web site.

Click on any of the GECR categories above for a complete list of approved courses.

Students who wish to complete the program prerequisites at a different accredited institution must take courses equivalent to the OSU course numbers listed above. A transfer matrix is available at u.select (www.transfer.org), and equivalent courses for many schools are available at admissions.osu.edu/standards.

Fees and Expenses
Dental hygiene students will spend much of their time in labs and clinics. There are additional costs associated with these educational experiences. Students should plan in advance for the cost of supplies, uniforms, lab fees, and other expenses they will incur during their professional education. Information about these expenses as well as university fees and living expenses is available at fees and expenses.

Program Mission and Philosophy
The Division of Dental Hygiene, an educational program in the College of Dentistry, derives its purposes and functions from the mission statements of the university and the College of Dentistry. Dental Hygiene offers a 2 + 2 baccalaureate degree program, the baccalaureate degree completion program, and a variety of continuing education courses.

The fundamental purpose of The Ohio State University is "to enhance the quality of life through developing the individual capacity for enlightened understanding, thinking, and acting. Through the dissemination of knowledge, the university serves not only the individual but acts as a force to shape society for the common good." This purpose is affected through teaching, research, and service.

The College of Dentistry promotes the acquisition, advancement, transmission, and application of scientific knowledge and skills for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of orofacial disease and disorders, and for the restoration and rehabilitation of its effects. The College, with a commitment to multicultural diversity, conducts the mutually supportive activities of education, research, patient care, and community and professional service. Based upon an understanding of biological processes, these activities promote human orofacial health and well-being. The College provides undergraduate dental hygiene, professional, and graduate students with the analytical, technical, ethical and humanistic skills necessary to provide quality health care. The programs encourage professionalism and responsiveness to societal and professional changes. Through its graduate programs, the college provides graduates with the skills necessary to become researchers and teachers.

The Dental Hygiene Program is committed to developing oral health professionals who, as co-therapists with the dentist, can function as effective primary health-care providers in a dynamic society. Extensive clinical experience, as well as the specialization options of public community health education, dental hygiene education, restorative expanded functions or an individualized program, prepare students for additional roles of leadership and responsibility within the scope of dental hygiene care.

Program Goals

1. The Dental Hygiene Program will prepare students for practice and licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
2. The Dental Hygiene Program will prepare students to provide quality care to patients in an ethical and professional manner.
3. Dental hygiene graduates will have an understanding of research methods and will be able to use current research to make evidence-based decisions in their dental hygiene practice.
4. Dental hygiene graduates will have experience providing community service and outreach and will understand the importance of continuing these activities after graduation.
5. Dental hygiene graduates will understand and appreciate the dynamic and evolving nature of the profession of dental hygiene.

Curriculum
The Dental Hygiene Program curriculum includes the university's General Education Curriculum requirements (GECR), additional natural sciences, the dental hygiene major, an area of specialization, and electives.

The GECs and natural sciences and must be completed prior to matriculation in the dental hygiene major. The dental hygiene major and area of specialization courses are only available to students who have been admitted to the dental hygiene professional program.

Click on any requirement below to view details.

Degree Planning
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree is designed to be a four-year program, and most students can complete the degree in four years if they plan carefully and meet the required standards. A sample schedule and benchmarks for progress are available at four year degree planning.