Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Bulletin: 2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin Program: Dental Hygiene Major, B.S. Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Dental Hygiene Major, B.S.

College of Nursing and Health Professions >> Dental Hygiene 

C or better required in all coursework

The dental hygiene program at the University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The address of the Commission on Dental Accreditation is American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. Phone 312-440-4653 or visit https://coda.ada.org/

The dental hygiene program has three tracks. Track I is a traditional four year entry level program. Track II is a bachelor degree completion option for dental hygienists who hold an associate degree. Track III is an accelerated three year entry level program. All tracks require 120 credit hours for the degree.

Track I - Entry-level Dental Hygiene Program

Students who are admitted to Track I complete two academic years of specified pre-professional courses prior to being admitted to the program. The third and fourth years of the program are comprised of professional courses in dental hygiene.

Admission Requirements for Track I:

  • Admission to the University
  • Completion of the required prerequisite college courses with a grade of C or higher and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8
  • Submission of a dental hygiene application
  • Submission of medical and immunization records
  • CPR certification for health care providers
  • Completion of a criminal background check
  • Completion of drug testing

Students selected for admission into the Dental Hygiene program must be eligible for dental hygiene licensure and capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.

Prerequisite Courses

Semester I

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
MATH 114 - Quantitative Reasoning  *

USI Core 39: Foundations-Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3

 

CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking  * or

USI Core 39: Foundations-Communication


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication  *

USI Core 39: Foundations-Communication


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3

 

BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I  *

USI Core 39: Natural Science with Lab (BA and BS)


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 4
ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self  *

USI Core 39: Foundations-Rhetoric and Composition I


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness  *

USI Core 39: Foundations-Physical Activity and Wellness


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 1
UNIV 101 - First Year Experience  *

USI Core 39: Foundations-First Year Experience


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
Credits: 1

Semester II

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II  *

USI Core 39: Natural Science with Lab (BA and BS)


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 4
ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World  *

USI Core 39: Foundations-Rhetoric and Composition II


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions  *
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 2
SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology  *

USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Social Inquiry; Social Science-BS; Embedded Experience-Diversity


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
  • Selected Ways of Knowing (CAE, HI, or WLC) Credits: 3
  • Semester III

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry  *

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Scientific and Mathematical Inquiry; Natural Science with Lab (BA and BS)


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 4
    HP 225 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics  *
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Social Inquiry; Social Science-BS


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 2
  • Semester IV

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology  *
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
    Credits: 4
    HP 302 - Biostatistics

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    IPH 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Moral and Ethical Reasoning; Embedded Experience-Diversity


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
  • World Language and Culture (BS) Credits: 3 *
  • Elective Credits: 2
  • NOTE:

    Courses marked with * are prerequisite courses included in the admission GPA. All prerequisite courses included in the admission GPA must be finished during the spring semester in which a student applies for the program.

    Professional Courses

    Semester V

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 303 - Oral Radiology
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 3
    DTHY 308 - Applied Dental Materials
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 3
    DTHY 314 - Oral Anatomy
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 316 - Preventive Oral Health I
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 327 - Introduction to Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Care
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 1
    DTHY 341 - Dental Hygiene Theory I
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 342 - Dental Hygiene Clinic I
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2

    Semester VI

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 313 - Anatomy of the Head and Neck
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 315 - Oral Embryology and Histology
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 1
    DTHY 318 - Preventive Oral Health II
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 322 - Periodontology
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 351 - Dental Hygiene Theory II

    USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Diversity; Embedded Experience-Writing


    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 352 - Dental Hygiene Clinic II
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 423 - Pain Management in Dentistry
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2

    Semester VII

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 405 - General and Oral Pathology
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 411 - Community Oral Health Theory
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 422 - Clinical Application of Periodontology
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 1
    DTHY 441 - Dental Hygiene Theory III
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 442 - Dental Hygiene Clinic III
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4

    Semester VIII

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 412 - Community Oral Health Practicum
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 451 - Dental Hygiene Theory IV
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 452 - Dental Hygiene Clinic IV
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 457 - Professional and Current Issues in Oral Healthcare

    USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Global; Embedded Experience-Writing


    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 3

    Track II - Degree Completion Program

    Students admitted to Track II must hold an associate degree in dental hygiene.

    Admission Requirements for Track II:

    • Admission to the University
    • Completion of an associate degree in dental hygiene
    • License to practice dental hygiene in any U.S. state
    • Submission of medical and immunization records
    • CPR certification for healthcare providers
    • Completion of a criminal background check
    • Completion of drug testing

    Core 39

    Completion of the USI Core 39 or its equivalent

    Other Required Courses

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HP 302 - Biostatistics

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    DTHY 401 - Clinical Management I
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
    Credits: 3
    DTHY 402 - Clinical Management II
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
    Credits: 3
    DTHY 457 - Professional and Current Issues in Oral Healthcare

    USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Global; Embedded Experience-Writing


    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 3
  • Nine (9) hours of electives chosen from HA, HP, GERO, or PH courses
  • Completion of an accredited Associate Degree Dental Hygiene Program (60 hours)
  • Track III Accelerated Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Program

    The Track III program begins during the summer term prior to the first full academic year at USI. Students who choose Track III complete three terms of specified pre-professional courses prior to being admitted to the program. Admission decisions are made during the first academic year. Once admitted to the dental hygiene program, curriculum includes professional dental hygiene courses and the remaining Core 39 coursework.

    Admission Requirements for Track III:

    • Admission to the University
    • Completion of the required prerequisite college courses with a grade of C or higher and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8
    • Submission of a dental hygiene application
    • Submission of medical and immunization records
    • CPR certification for health care providers
    • Completion of a criminal background check
    • Completion of drug testing

    Students selected for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program must be eligible for dental hygiene licensure and capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.

    Track III Curriculum

    Summer I

    Courses to be taken the summer before a student’s first full academic year at USI.

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self

    USI Core 39: Foundations-Rhetoric and Composition I


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3

     

    CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking or

    USI Core 39: Foundations-Communication


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

    USI Core 39: Foundations-Communication


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3

     

    HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 2
    KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness

    USI Core 39: Foundations-Physical Activity and Wellness


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 1

    Semester I

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    MATH 114 - Quantitative Reasoning

    USI Core 39: Foundations-Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3

    (Will accept MATH 111)

    BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I

    USI Core 39: Natural Science with Lab (BA and BS)


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 4
    CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Scientific and Mathematical Inquiry; Natural Science with Lab (BA and BS)


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 4
    ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World

    USI Core 39: Foundations-Rhetoric and Composition II


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    UNIV 101 - First Year Experience

    USI Core 39: Foundations-First Year Experience


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
    Credits: 1

    Semester II

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II

    USI Core 39: Natural Science with Lab (BA and BS)


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 4
    BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
    Credits: 4
    HP 225 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Social Inquiry; Social Science-BS; Embedded Experience-Diversity


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
  • World Language and Culture (BS WLS) Credits: 3
  • Admission Decision Here - Candidate notified by June 1

    Summer 2

    Courses to be taken after a student’s first full academic year at USI. Courses must be completed prior to beginning professional courses in the dental hygiene program but are not considered in the dental hygiene admission GPA.

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Social Inquiry; Social Science-BS


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition
    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
    HP 302 - Biostatistics

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3

    Semester III

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 303 - Oral Radiology
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 3
    DTHY 308 - Applied Dental Materials
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 3
    DTHY 314 - Oral Anatomy
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 316 - Preventive Oral Health I
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 327 - Introduction to Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Care
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 1
    DTHY 341 - Dental Hygiene Theory I
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 342 - Dental Hygiene Clinic I
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2

    Semester IV

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 313 - Anatomy of the Head and Neck
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 315 - Oral Embryology and Histology
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 1
    DTHY 318 - Preventive Oral Health II
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 322 - Periodontology
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 351 - Dental Hygiene Theory II

    USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Diversity; Embedded Experience-Writing


    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 352 - Dental Hygiene Clinic II
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 423 - Pain Management in Dentistry
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2

    Summer 3

    Courses to be completed after completing two semesters of professional dental hygiene courses.

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    IPH 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society

    USI Core 39: Ways of Knowing-Moral and Ethical Reasoning; Embedded Experience-Diversity


    Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
    Credits: 3
  • Selected Ways of Knowing Elective (WK CAE, HI, or WLC)  Credits: 3
  • Elective  Credits: 2
  • Semester V

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 405 - General and Oral Pathology
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 411 - Community Oral Health Theory
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 422 - Clinical Application of Periodontology
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 1
    DTHY 441 - Dental Hygiene Theory III
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 442 - Dental Hygiene Clinic III
    Term(s) Offered: Fall
    Credits: 4

    Semester VI

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    DTHY 412 - Community Oral Health Practicum
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 2
    DTHY 451 - Dental Hygiene Theory IV
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 452 - Dental Hygiene Clinic IV
    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 4
    DTHY 457 - Professional and Current Issues in Oral Healthcare

    USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Global; Embedded Experience-Writing


    Term(s) Offered: Spring
    Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 2
  • Notes: