Dec 09, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin

Dental Hygiene Major, B.S.


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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 IV


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


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


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


Semester II


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.

Summer 3


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

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