Dental Hygiene Curriculum
This program consists of two main parts: a two-year pre-professional curriculum at one of the University of Maryland campuses or at another accredited college, community college or university, and a two year professional curriculum at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Two-Year Pre-Professional Curriculum
A listing of the courses and credit hour requirements for the pre-professional curriculum follows. These courses provide a foundation in basic sciences, social sciences, and general education. Students are encouraged to contact with the dental hygiene advisor each semester to ensure appropriate course scheduling.
| Note |
Courses |
Credits |
|
English Composition |
6 |
|
Technical Writing |
3 |
| * |
Inorganic or General Chemistry |
4 |
| * |
Organic Chemistry |
4 |
| * |
General Biology |
4 |
| * |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II |
8 |
| * |
Microbiology |
4 |
| |
Principles of Nutrition |
3 |
|
Statistics |
3 |
|
General Psychology |
3 |
|
General Sociology |
3 |
| ** |
Humanities |
3 |
| *** |
Social Sciences |
6 |
|
Public Speaking |
3 |
|
Total Curriculum Credits |
57 |
* These courses must include a laboratory and meet the requirements for science majors. Survey or terminal courses for nonscience majors are not acceptable for transfer.
** Humanities: Courses must be selected from the following areas: literature, philosophy, history, fine arts, speech, math, or language.
*** Social Sciences: General psychology and sociology are required; the remaining six credits should be selected from courses in psychology, sociology, political science, government, culture studies, economics, business or anthropology.
Application and Admission Procedure
High school students who wish to enroll in the pre-professional curriculum should request applications directly from the admissions office of any of the University of Maryland campuses or any accredited college or university. It is recommended that those preparing for a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene pursue an academic program in high school that includes courses in biology, chemistry, algebra, and social sciences. Applicants should note the University of Maryland policy concerning prevention and management of student and employee infection with bloodborne pathogens and the School of Dentistry’s essential requirements for admission and matriculation. In addition, individuals who have a prior or subsequent conviction or nolo contendre plea for a felony may encounter denial or removal of licensure to practice dental hygiene after graduation.
Two-Year Professional Curriculum
(junior year and senior year)
The professional curriculum includes clinical and didactic courses in the School of Dentistry. Throughout these two years, dental hygiene students work concurrently with dental students to provide patient care.
During the first year, students expand on their preprofessional basic science knowledge as it pertains to dental hygiene practice. In both laboratory and clinical settings, the students begin to develop the skills, knowledge and judgment necessary to collect data for patient treatment; assess each patient’s oral health status; and select and provide preventive, therapeutic, and educational services based on the individual needs of the patient. During the second year, students demonstrate increasing proficiency, critical thinking, and self-direction in assessing patients’ oral health status, planning and providing clinical services and identifying the need for consultation and referral. To enrich their educational experiences, students provide educational and/or clinical services in School of Dentistry specialty clinics and a variety of community settings, such as hospitals; schools; and facilities for the special needs patients, chronically ill, and aged. Dental hygiene students also have an opportunity to work with dental students as primary providers for the physically and mentally challenged, and individuals with serious medical conditions or infectious diseases.
Senior students also take courses in education, research, and management that enable them to develop fundamental skills that are necessary for various career options within the profession.
Junior Year
Semester 1
DHYG 316: This course extends into the January winter season
Semester 2
| DHYG 321 | Prevention and Control of Oral Diseases II | 5 |
| DHYG 323 | Patients with Special Needs | 2 |
| DHYG 324 | Methods and Materials in Dentistry | 2 |
| DHYG 325 | General Pharmacology & Therapeutics | 3 |
| DHYG 326 | Oral Radiology II | 2 |
| DHYG 327 | Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist II | 2 |
| DHYG 328A | General and Oral Pathology | 3 |
| DHYG 328B | Dental Anesthesia & Sedation | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Senior Year
Semester 1
| DHYG 411 | Advanced Clinical Practice I | 5 |
| DHYG 412 | Innovative Dental Hygiene Practice | 2 |
| DHYG 413 | Community Service-Learning I | 2 |
| DHYG 416 | Principles of Scientific Evidence | 2 |
| DHYG 417 | Community Oral Health | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Semester 2
| DHYG 414 | Educational Program Development | 2 |
| DHYG 421 | Advanced Clinical Practice II | 5 |
| DHYG 423 | Community Service-Learning II | 1 |
| DHYG 425 | Dynamics of Health Care | 2 |
| DHYG 427 | Health Care Management | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: 63
Application and Admission Procedures
College students enrolled in the pre-professional curriculum should communicate regularly with the dental hygiene Director of Recruitment & Academic Advising at the School of Dentistry to ensure that the courses selected satisfy the degree requirements.
Applications can be obtained online on the School of Dentistry Admissions website. Applications for enrollment in the fall semester are accepted from November 1 to February 11. Courses must be completed at the end of the semester prior to enrollment.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the pre-professional curriculum is required, and preference will be given to those students who have high scholastic averages, especially in science courses. A science grade point average of 3.0 is generally encouraged for acceptance. Enrollment at another University of Maryland campus or completion of the pre-professional curriculum does not guarantee admission to the professional curriculum at the School of Dentistry. Enrollment in the dental hygiene program is limited.
Students who are offered admission will be required to send a deposit with a letter of intent to enroll. This deposit will be credited toward tuition at registration, but will not be refunded in the event of failure to enroll.
Projected Average Expenditures
In addition to the expenses of tuition and fees listed on the Student Accounts website, junior dental hygiene students should estimate spending $3,780 on instrument service, uniforms, and supplies and $800 on textbooks. Senior dental hygiene students should estimate spending $1,645 on instrument service and supplies, $400 on textbooks and $1680 on regional and national board examination fees. Community service-learning experiences in both the junior and senior years may entail additional costs for travel and/or parking at sites outside the School of Dentistry.
Graduation Requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene must complete the pre-professional and the professional curricula as outlined. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, complete a total of 122 credits, and satisfy all financial obligations to the University to be eligible for graduation.
National and Regional Board Examinations
Clinical and comprehensive written examinations are given in the spring of the senior year. Successful completion of these exams is necessary to obtain a license to practice dental hygiene.