Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader Track
Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader (CDHL) Track - Dual BS/MS Degree Program
CDL Curriculum
The B.S./M.S. Dual Degree Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader (CDHL) Track is for individuals who already possess a bachelor’s degree in another field and have also completed the 57 credits of required prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. This program consists of 7 semesters: 3 summers, 2 fall and 2 spring semesters culminating in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry awarding both the BS degree in Spring II Year II and MS in dental hygiene at the end of summer III year III. The CDHL curriculum includes graduate and undergraduate courses utilizing blended synchronous and asynchronous class activities with scheduled live and in-person pre-clinic, lab, and clinical experiences at the dental educational facility at the Universities at Shady Grove located in Montgomery County, with some rotations each semester to the School of Dentistry located in Baltimore City.
Two-Year Pre-Professional Curriculum
A listing of the courses and credit hour requirements for the pre-professional curriculum are as follows. These courses provide a foundation in basic sciences, social sciences, and general education. Students are encouraged to contact the dental hygiene advisor each semester to ensure appropriate course scheduling. Applicants to the CDHL program must earn a BS degree during their pre-professional curriculum to be eligible for admission to the CDHL program.
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Note
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Courses
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Credits
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English Composition
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6
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Technical Writing
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3
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*
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Inorganic or General Chemistry
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4
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*
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Organic Chemistry or Other Higher Level Science Course
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4
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*
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General Biology
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4
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*
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Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II
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8
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*
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Microbiology
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4
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Principles of Nutrition
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3
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Statistics
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3
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General Psychology
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3
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General Sociology
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3
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**
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Humanities
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3
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***
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Social Sciences
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6
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Public Speaking
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3
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Total Curriculum Credits
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57
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* 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, anthropology, political science, economics, Cultural Studies, Woman's Studies, geography, business management, religion, information systems (not keyboarding courses) and education, Introduction to Computers (academic course) is often a General Education Requirement and would be acceptable as a social science elective.)
The CDHL Dental Hygiene Program will accept general credit by AP examination in the areas of non-science courses such as sociology, psychology, humanities, social sciences and English only if it appears on an official transcript.
APPLICATION AND ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Two-Year Professional Curriculum
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 – Summer 1 Year 1
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Course Number
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Title
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Credits
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DHYG 611
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Research and Professional Writing
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3
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MHS 600
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Introduction to Library Resources and Scholarly Writing
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1
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MHS 602
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Legal and Ethical Issues for Health, Human Services, and Clinical Professionals
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2
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Subtotal: 6
Semester 2 – Fall 1 Year 1
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Course Number
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Title
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Credits
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DHYG 311
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Prevention and Control of Oral Diseases I
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6
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DHYG 312A
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Head and Neck Anatomy
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3
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DHYG 312H
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Oral History & Embryology
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1.5
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DHYG 312M
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Microbiology
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1.5
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DHYG 314
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Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist I
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3
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DHYG 316
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Oral Radiology I
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2
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Subtotal: 17
Semester 3 – Spring 1 Year 1
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DHYG 321
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Prevention and Control of Oral Diseases II
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5
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DHYG 323
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Patients with Special Needs
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2
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DHYG 324
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Methods and Materials in Dentistry
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2
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DHYG 325
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General Pharmacology & Therapeutics
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3
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DHYG 326
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Oral Radiology II
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2
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DHYG 327
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Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist II
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2
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DHYG 328A
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General and Oral Pathology
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3
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DHYG 612
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Communicative Health Literacy and Advocacy*
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2
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DHYG 613
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Scientific Method and Writing
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3
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Subtotal: 24
Senior Year
Semester 4 – Summer 2 – Year 2
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DHYG 621
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Research Seminar
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3
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DHYG 622
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Practicum and Capstone I
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1
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MHS 652
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Communication and Leadership
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3
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Subtotal: 7
Semester 5 – Fall 2 – Year 2
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DHYG 411
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Advanced Clinical Practice I
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5
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DHYG 412
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Innovative Dental Hygiene Practice
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2
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DHYG 413
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Community Service-Learning I
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2
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DHYG 417
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Community Oral Health
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3
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DHYG 419
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Dental Anesthesia & Sedation
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2
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MHS 615
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Biostatistics for the Health Professional
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3
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Subtotal: 17
Semester 6 – Spring 2 – Year 2
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DHYG 421
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Advanced Clinical Practice II
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5
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DHYG 425
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Dynamics of Health Care
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2
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DHYG 427
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Health Care Management
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2
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DHYG 624
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Foundations of Education*
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3
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Subtotal: 12
Semester 7 – Summer 3 – Year 3
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DHYG 625
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Practicum and Capstone II
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6
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Subtotal: 6
Prerequisite Credits required to enter the CDHL Program: 57
UMB BS Degree Credits Hours: 65
UMB graduate Course Credit Hours: 30
Total Credit Hours: 152
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 October 15 to February 13. 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 $5,155 on instrument service, uniforms, and supplies and $650 on textbooks. Senior dental hygiene students should estimate spending $3,670 on instrument service and supplies, $250 on textbooks and approximately $430 on regional and national board preparation 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 Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader Track – Dual Degree BS/MS Degree Program must complete the pre-professional, and the professional curricula as outlined. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, with a minimum course GPA of 3.0, completing a total of 152 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.