DENTAL HYGIENE:
ASSOCIATE TO BACHELORS
Be Brilliant with programs designed with you in mind.
The Department of Dental Hygiene offers an Associate of Science to Bachelor of Science program route for students while actively enrolled in the AS Program. Students must also meet University requirements for the BS Degree and may need to complete courses during the summer semester prior to program completion.
This program prepares you for a four-year degree level, teaching you the fundamental and technical skills needed to work in the growing interdisciplinary field of dental hygiene or pursue a graduate program.
DISCOVER
- Diverse educational experiences, with clinic opportunities dedicated to offering healthcare services in our local and extended campus communities
- Learn from our experienced faculty who thoroughly understand the professional field
- Our graduates report high rates of satisfaction with the curriculum and program
- The Department accepts a limited number of students annually
- Estimated total program cost for in-state students is $21,305
- Estimate total program cost for out-of-state tuition is $42,000
LEARN
The Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene will help you to pursue a career in dental care and hygiene. You'll gain experience and knowledge in:
- Clinical dental hygiene care
- Patient management & communication
- Head & Neck and Dental anatomy
- Periodontal Therapy
- Teamwork
- Interprofessional education
- Oral Radiology
- Problem solving skills
ACHIEVE
As a Bachelor of Science graduate in the Dental Hygiene program, you'll be eligible for licensure and then employment as a Dental Hygienist.
Our graduates often enter the workforce upon graduation. Explore more about the Bachelor's degree under the Degrees tab. However, you may choose to continue your education in a graduate program.
The average annual starting salary for a Dental Hygienist in the State of Utah is $75,000; this may vary depending on your employment setting.
COURSE LAYOUT
before you begin, get to know what courses will be required for this degree
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General Education & Support Courses
General Education
The Department of Dental Hygiene upholds the University requirements for general education. For the most recent University standards, please visit the WSU catalog.
Required Prerequisite Courses
The following courses will meet some of your general education requirements and serve as prerequisite courses to the Dental Hygiene program. These courses must be completed prior to starting the Dental Hygiene program.
- COMM 1020 or COMM 2110 (3)
- ENGL 1010: Introductory College Writing (3)
- ENGL 2010 Intermediate College Writing (3)
- LIBS 1704, HTHS 2904 or WEB 1504 (1)
- MATH QL Requirements, please meet with your academic advisor
- NUTR 1020: Science & Application of Human Nutrition (3)
- PSY 1010: Introductory Psychology (3)
- SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology (3)
Required Science Courses- HTHS 1110 Integrated Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
- HTHS 1111 Integrated Anatomy & Physiology II (4)
- HTHS 2230 Introduction to Pathophysiology (3)
- Additional 3 credit hours of Physical Science
OR
- ZOOL 2100 Human Anatomy (4)
- ZOOL 2200 Human Physiology (4)
- HTHS 2230 Introduction to Pathophysiology (3)
- CHEM 1050 or CHEM 1110 (5)
- MICR 1113 Introductory Microbiology (3)
Required science courses must be taken within five (5) years of your anticipated program start date.
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Core Requirements
Associate of Science
Once accepted into the Dental Hygiene program, the following courses will be required to earn you Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene:
- DENT 2201 Concepts of Community Dental Health (1)
- DENT 2205 Head/Neck and Dental Anatomy (2)
- DENT 2206 Clinical Dental Hygiene/Radiology (4)
- DENT 2207 Dental Hygiene I (3)
- DENT 2208 Radiology (2)
- DENT 2211 Oral Pathology (3)
- DENT 2215 Periodontology (2)
- DENT 2216 Clinical Dental Hygiene II (3)
- DENT 2217 Dental Hygiene II (3)
- DENT 2219 Dental Materials (1)
- DENT 2235 Dental Medicine I (2)
- DENT 2250 Professional Ethics (1)
- DENT 3301 Community Dental Health Service Learning Lab (1)
- DENT 3305 Pain Control (3)
- DENT 3336 Clinical Dental Hygiene III (4)
- DENT 3337 Dental Hygiene III (3)
- DENT 3346 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (4)
- DENT 3347 Dental Hygiene IV (2)
Total credit hours: 44 hours
Bachelor of Science
The following courses will be required to earn you Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene:
- DENT 4530 Principles & Application of Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice (2)
- DENT 4780 Baccalaureate Thesis (3)
- DENT 4890 Advanced Community or Clinical Work Experience (2)
Total credit hours: 7
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Suggested Course Sequence
The following is a suggested course sequence for students pursing their Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science in our Dental Hygiene program.
Notes: Pre-requisites, including a minimum of one academic year of courses are required prior to acceptance in the Department. Please consult the Dumke College of Academic Advising for more information and courses you'll need to meet graduation requirements.
Fall Semester (1st year, semester 5)
- DENT2201: Concepts of Community Dental Health (1)
- DENT2205: Head/Neck and Dental Anatomy (2)
- DENT2206: Clinical Dental Hygiene/Radiology (4)
- DENT2207: Dental Hygiene I (3)
- DENT2208: Radiology (2)
- DENT2250: Professional Ethics (1)
Total credit hours: 13
Spring Semester (1st year)
- DENT2211 Oral Pathology (3)
- DENT2215 Periodontology (2)
- DENT2216 Clinical Dental Hygiene II (3)
- DENT2217 Dental Hygiene II (3)
- DENT2235 Dental Medicine (2)
- Total credit hours: 13
Summer Semester
Statistics/Research (upper division) (3) required for BS
Elective (upper division) (3)
Total Credit hours: 6
Fall Semester (2nd year)
- DENT3305 Pain Control (3)
- DENT3336 Clinical Dental Hygiene III (4)
- DENT3337 Dental Hygiene III (3)
- DENT2219 Dental Materials (1)
- DENT4530 Principles & Application of Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene (2) *Taught only Fall semester-required
- DENT4800 Clinical Teaching Assistant (requires application & faculty approval)
Total credit hours: 13 minimum
Spring Semester (2nd year)- DENT3301 DH Community Service (1)
- DENT3346 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (4)
- DENT3347 Dental Hygiene IV (2)
- DENT4800 Clinical Teaching Assistant (requires application & faculty approval)
- DENT4890 Advanced Community Work Experience (2) -required
- DENT4780 BS Thesis (3) *Taught only Spring Semester-required
Total credit hours: 12 minimum required
Note: University BS requirements: 120 credit hours minimum, 40 credit hours of approved upper division (3000/4000 level), 30 credit hours of residency at WSU (these can be part of the required 40 credit hours).
ADMISSIONS & APPLICATION PROCESS
below, you will find all the information you need about applying to our program
It is critical that all parts of the application process be completed and submitted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please read the instructions carefully on the application forms and checklist.
Selection Process
Application evaluation includes (but is not limited to) the following:
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Prior dental experience
- Committee review
- Completion of the essay portion (see application for further instructions)
- Prior college or university experience
- Completed prerequisites courses
Students will be notified by email mid-March.
Weber State University does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, veteran or disability status.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15
Application Requirements
- Completion of four (4) years of high school or equivalent
- Completion of one (1) year of prerequisite coursework (see above under General Education & Support Courses)
- Submission of all college and university transcripts
- Submission of the dental hygiene application form
- Submission of the required $25 non-refundable application fee
- Application and acceptance to Weber State University in good academic standing
The following applications will NOT be reviewed:
- Applications submitted past January 15
- Applicants that have prerequisite GPAs below 2.5, and/or a science GPA below 2.5
- Applications that do not contain final grades on at least two (2) of the specific required science courses and at least four (4) of the additional prerequisite courses (six courses total)
- Science courses that are seven (7) years or older
Application Materials
Great care is in demand. BE BRILLIANT.
meet with our advisors and get started today!
We are here to help you! If you have questions or are interested in learning more about our Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene, please connect with us today and start pursing your dream tomorrow!
Request More Information
Office of Admissions Advisement
801-626-6136
healthprofessions@weber.edu
Marriott Health Building
Room 108
