Dental Hygiene Major, B.S.

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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 800/621-8099.

Prerequisite Courses

Within the University Core Curriculum categories, Dental Hygiene students must select the following courses:

CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking Credits: 3
MATH 111 - College Algebra Credits: 4 or higher A2 MATH course
HP 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society Credits: 3
NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition Credits: 3
PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3
CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4
BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4

Dental Hygiene Curriculum

In addition to coursework from the University Core Curriculum, the Dental Hygiene major requires:

14 hours of pre-requisite coursework (HP 115 , BIOL 272 , HP 302 , HP 225 , HP 356 )
63 hours of dental hygiene coursework (taken during third and fourth years)

A sample year-by-year curriculum is listed here.

First Year

First Semester (14 hours)

CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking Credits: 3
ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self Credits: 3
MATH 111 - College Algebra Credits: 4
PED Credits: 1
PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3

Second Semester (16 hours)

CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4
ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World Credits: 3
Humanities I Credits: 3
SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3
The Arts Credits: 3

Second Year

First Semester (18 hours)

BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
HP 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society Credits: 3
Global Communities Credits: 3
HP 115 - Medical Terminology For The Health Professions Credits: 2
Humanities II Credits: 3
NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition Credits: 3

Second Semester (16 hours)

BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology Credits: 3
History Credits: 3
HP 302 - Biostatistics Credits: 3
HP 225 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics Credits: 3

Third Year

First Semester (17 hours)

DTHY 303 - Oral Radiology Credits: 3
DTHY 308 - Applied Dental Materials Credits: 3
DTHY 314 - Oral Anatomy Credits: 2
DTHY 316 - Preventive Oral Health I Credits: 2
DTHY 341 - Dental Hygiene Theory I Credits: 4
DTHY 342 - Dental Hygiene Clinic I Credits: 3

Second Semester (15 hours)

DTHY 313 - Anatomy of the Head and Neck Credits: 2
DTHY 315 - Oral Embryology and Histology Credits: 1
DTHY 318 - Preventive Oral Health II Credits: 3
DTHY 322 - Periodontology Credits: 2
DTHY 351 - Dental Hygiene Theory II Credits: 4
DTHY 352 - Dental Hygiene Clinic II Credits: 3

Fourth Year

First Semester (17 hours)

DTHY 405 - General and Oral Pathology Credits: 4
DTHY 411 - Community Oral Health Theory Credits: 1
DTHY 422 - Clinical Application of Periodontology Credits: 1
DTHY 423 - Pain Management in Dentistry Credits: 2
DTHY 441 - Dental Hygiene Theory III Credits: 4
DTHY 442 - Dental Hygiene Clinic III Credits: 5

Second Semester (14 hours)

DTHY 412 - Community Oral Health Practicum Credits: 2
DTHY 451 - Dental Hygiene Theory IV Credits: 4
DTHY 452 - Dental Hygiene Clinic IV Credits: 5
DTHY 457 - Professional and Current Issues in Oral Healthcare Credits: 3

Degree Completion Option for Associate Degree Dental Hygienists

A bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene is available to dental hygienists who have earned an associate degree in dental hygiene. Applicants for this degree will be considered on the basis of a review of the individual’s records and transcripts. The applicant must hold a current license to practice dental hygiene from any U. S. state, be certified in CPR for healthcare providers, submit medical and immunization records, and complete a criminal background check and drug testing.

Requirements

Following are course requirements for the bachelor’s degree completion option:

completion of an associate degree in dental hygiene;
completion of the University Core Curriculum;
completion of all University requirements for a bachelor’s degree; and:

BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology Credits: 3
HP 302 - Biostatistics Credits: 3
DTHY 401 - Clinical Management I Credits: 3
DTHY 402 - Clinical Management II Credits: 3
DTHY 457 - Professional and Current Issues in Oral Healthcare Credits: 3