Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Program Administrator

Bryn Hartman
(330) 941-2009
bktaylor@ysu.edu

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree requires nine semesters of study including three semesters of coursework in the basic sciences and general education, which precede admission into the program. In the spring semester of the second year, students will begin taking the dental hygiene courses. The program is designed to prepare students as clinical dental hygienists and to pursue other possible career options such as education, public health, and research. Prospective students complete educational requirements that provide a broad academic background while attaining comprehensive dental hygiene knowledge and clinical experience.

At the end of the fourth year of the program, students are eligible to take state, regional and national board examinations. Upon successful completion of these comprehensive written and clinical examinations, the graduate may apply for a license to practice dental hygiene in the state as a registered dental hygienist.

The registered dental hygienist is a licensed professional who provides dental hygiene treatment and related preventive services. Clinical skills of the hygienist include:

• the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide
• recording medical and dental histories
• exposing and interpreting radiographs
• making study models
• performing extra-oral and intra-oral examinations which include cancer screenings; preliminary dental charting and periodontal evaluations
• scaling and root planning
• polishing
• patient education and dietary management
• placing sealants
• administering fluoride therapy

Many states permit the hygienist to perform additional duties such as placing temporary restorative materials.

The dental hygienist also functions as a dental health educator and is responsible for the preventive dental health program in private dental practices as well as in other settings. The hygienist teaches patients proper oral health care in order to reduce oral diseases and disorders. 

The hygienist's role in service to the community may include increasing public awareness of oral health, serving as a resource person to school systems, providing screenings to children or various groups, and making visits to nursing homes, hospitals and/or schools for the mentally or physically handicapped.

Accreditation

The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

Current accreditation standing: Approval without Reporting Requirements. 

Date of last campus visit: 2017 

Next campus visit: 2025

The Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2500

https://coda.ada.org/en 

Admission to the Program

Admission to the University provides students with the opportunity to complete a core of pre-dental hygiene courses. All students must complete and/or be registered for all of the pre-dental hygiene courses (the first year fall semester, the first year spring semester, and the second year fall semester) after which they may apply and compete for a position in the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program. Please note that due to limited clinical capacity and available resources, admission to the university and completion of the pre-dental hygiene courses does not guarantee admission to the program. The courses in BOLD on the Admission Policy document will be used in the calculation of the student's pre-dental hygiene GPA which will be used in ranking students.
 
Admitted students who voluntarily withdraw from the Dental Hygiene Program will be allowed to reapply only one additional time. This is enforced in fairness to other applicants.

A criminal background check which includes fingerprinting for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI & I) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is required for licensure in Ohio. If a student has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to substance abuse or a crime involving moral turpitude, licensure may be denied by the Ohio State Dental Board. For further information regarding licensure and the results of finger printing call the Ohio State Dental Board at (614) 466-2580.

Students can access Transferology, a free web-based source where they can find accurate information regarding courses that transfer and apply to a degree program.

Prospective students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of observation of a registered dental hygienist in two separate dental offices or clinics. Observation forms are available on the Dental Hygiene website. Each prospective student must print the form, fill it out and return it by September 1 of the year of application. Mail with appropriate signatures to:

Youngstown State University
Dental Hygiene Program
1 Tressel Way
Youngstown, OH 44555

New, Current, Former, and Transfer Students

Students must apply and compete for conditional acceptance into the dental hygiene program by September 1 for spring semester admittance. Rankings for admission will include a minimum GPA of 2.70, in the bolded courses (see Admissions Policy) and a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or greater. ALL pre-dental hygiene courses must be completed with a "C" or better at the end of the fall semester of the second year (as outlined below).

For more information, visit the Dental Hygiene major website.

Pre-Dental Hygiene Courses

Current Students

Current students must apply by September 1 for spring semester admittance. Application packets are in the Dean's office, Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, Cushwa Hall, Room 2104. All necessary reports and transcripts must be received by September 1. No applications will be considered after this deadline.

New, Transfer, and Former YSU Students

New, transfer, and former YSU students must first apply and be admitted to the University by completing the undergraduate admissions form and indicating dental hygiene as the intended major.

Submit transcripts from each of the post secondary institutions and high school(s) attended. Transcripts of any academic work being completed during the academic year of the requested admission date must be submitted to YSU Admissions Office by September 1. No applications will be considered after this deadline.

Observation  Requirement

All prospective students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of observation of a registered dental hygienist in at least two separate dental offices or dental clinics. Students must dress appropriately. Do not wear shorts, jeans, tennis shoes, flip-flops or other unprofessional clothing. Hair must be pulled away from the face, and make-up and perfume should be moderately applied. Observation forms are available on the dental hygiene website. Each prospective student must print the form and fill it out. The forms with the appropriate signatures must be mailed to:

Youngstown State University
Dental Hygiene Program
1 Tressel Way
Youngstown, OH  44555

Factors affecting admission will include:

1. Pre-Dental Hygiene G.P.A. 
2. Cumulative G.P.A.
3. All Pre-Dental Hygiene courses completed with a "C" or better by the end of the fall semester.
4. Number of repetitions of BOLD pre-dental hygiene courses (as indicated in Section A).
5. As the number of repetitions increases, the likelihood of being admitted decreases. Applicants will have within the last five years, no more than two repeated classes in all the pre-dental hygiene courses. A repeated course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better and all incompletes must be removed before beginning the dental hygiene curriculum.
6. Satisfactory completion of the dental hygiene observation forms.

Upon receiving admission to the Dental Hygiene Program, and as a condition of admission, students must show satisfactory evidence of the following:

1. Current CPR/BLS certification
2. Completed physical and dental exams
3. Proof of required immunization requirements

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the dental hygiene program are as follows:

•  The graduates will be competent in resolving professional and ethical issues utilizing effective communication and critical thinking skills.
• The graduates will be competent in providing patient education programs and community service to diverse populations.
•  The graduates will be competent in performing clinical skills necessary to achieve and maintain the oral health of their patients.
•  The graduates will be competent in analyzing current research and in conducting original research.