Dental hygiene, a preventive profession, is composed of licensed dental hygienists who are an integral part of the dental health team. They provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to those seeking dental care.
The dental hygiene curriculum at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry is fully approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and its graduates are eligible for examination and licensure in all states.
The curriculum is organized into a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Preparation for admission consists of approximately two academic years of study with the course work to be completed at any accredited college. To comply with our prerequisites, it is advisable to contact the dental hygiene program advisers at the College of Dentistry, so we can help you select the classes that will fulfill requirements for our curriculum, as well as your respective college.
After acceptance into the dental hygiene program, the next two academic years and one summer session are spent at the College of Dentistry in Lincoln or the West Division campus in Gering.
Predental Hygiene Requirements
High School
Preparation for the study of dental hygiene begins in high school. The prospective dental hygiene student is encouraged to take the following subjects:
- English - 3 years
- Mathematics
- Algebra - 2 years
- Geometry - 1 year
- Biological Sciences (Biology) - 1 year
- Chemistry - 1 year
- Foreign Language (suggested but not required) - 2 years
College
The predental hygiene courses fulfill general requirements and provide the student with a core of knowledge.
- Communication (English Composition) - 6 hours
- Biology - 4 hours
- Microbiology - 4 hours
- Human Anatomy or Anatomy & Physiology I - 4 hours
- Human Physiology or Anatomy & Physiology II - 4 hours
- General Chemistry - 8 hours
- Introductory Sociology - 3 hours
- Introductory Psychology - 3-4 hours
- Communication (Speech/must give speeches) - 3 hours
- Humanities/Arts - 6 hours
- Social & Behavioral Sciences/Human Behavior, Culture, and Social Organization - 3 hours
- Nutrition - 3 hours
- 12-hour series - 12 hours
Six credit hours must be completed in the Humanities & Arts (English literature, philosophy, music history, classics, art history, theater arts, drawing) and three hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences/Human Behavior, Culture and Social Organization (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography). A twelve-hour series (a 12-hour minor in one academic area) must be completed in a specific area of study. The courses taken in the 12-hour series must have the same course prefix for all courses being considered. The Dental Hygiene Program advisor should be consulted for specific details.
The following is an example of course sequencing.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| English Composition | 3 | |
| General Biology/Lab | 4 | |
| Speech | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| English Composition | 3 | |
| Biology of Microorganisms/Lab | 4 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| First of 12 Hour Series | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| General Chemistry I/Lab | 4 | |
| Humanities/Arts | 3 | |
| Humanities/Arts | 3 | |
| Second of 12 Hour Series | 3 | |
| Anatomy/Lab or Human Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| General Chemistry II/Lab | 4 | |
| Nutrition | 3 | |
| Third of 12 Hour Series | 3 | |
| Fourth of 12 Hour Series | 3 | |
| Physiology/Lab or Human Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
Transfer Credit
All official transcripts from postsecondary institutions will be examined, and credit will be awarded according to UNMC policy. Usually, credit from any accredited institution of higher learning is accepted for transfer if successfully completed with a course grade of C or above. Pass/No Pass will not be accepted for completion of Dental Hygiene prerequisites.
For two- and four-year institutions, transfer credit will be determined by the standards set forth in the “Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions” published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices. No credit will be awarded for D grades or courses with pass/no pass outcomes.
Application Procedures
The Department of Dental Hygiene accepts twenty-four students each year. Applicants must have a minimum total grade point average of 2.5. (The average GPA for the entering classes of the past 10+ years has been 3.5).
The dental hygiene admission process begins by completing the online application.
- Applicants MUST take the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) through the American Dental Association (ADA). The testing cycle runs from September 1 - October 31. This is the only testing cycle available.
- You will then start the dental hygiene admission process by completing the online application beginning mid-October. The application must be completed and submitted online by February 1. When completing the online application, you will ENTER:
- All college course work information (from your transcripts).
- Personal/demographic information.
- Answers to:
- program campus selection and
- program questions, including an essay about why you are pursuing dental hygiene.
- Up to three letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged.
- Official college transcripts submitted from ALL colleges/universities attended (even if transfer credit is not being used from that institution), as directed in application. ALL must be sent directly to the application service in Massachusetts. DO NOT send directly to the program. This will DELAY verification of your application.
- Complete application by paying $60 fee as directed in the application at the time of submission.
- Provide an official high school transcript and ACT report/score directly to the UNMC Dental Hygiene Program via email to haevans@unmc.edu. For further information, please contact the department of dental hygiene at 402-472-1433.
- The dental hygiene admissions committee notifies all applicants of their acceptance or rejection. Upon notice of acceptance for admission to the dental hygiene program, a letter of intent to enroll and a non-refundable deposit of $300 are required. The full amount of the deposit applies toward payment of tuition and fees when the student enrolls.
Applicants will be accepted after presenting evidence of intellectual promise and strong personal qualifications, including good moral character and the desire to serve the public. Consideration is given to personal maturity and professional motivation. Students selected must be committed to scholarly pursuits and have career goals compatible with the philosophy of the baccalaureate program.
| Third Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| DHYG 301 | PRECLINIC THEORY | 2 |
| DHYG 307 | MEDICAL EMERGENCIES | 1 |
| DHYG 309 | PRECLINICAL TECHNIQUES | 4 |
| DENT 314 A | CLINICAL DENTAL RADIOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENE | 0 |
| ORBI 315 | OSTEOLOGY OF THE SKULL | 1 |
| ORBI 317 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN ORAL BIOLOGY | 2 |
| ORBI 319 | GENERAL/ORAL HISTOLOGY | 2 |
| DHYG 321 | DENTAL ANATOMY LECT/LAB | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ADRS 304 | ORAL RADIOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENE | 2 |
| ORBI 305 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY | 0 |
| DHYG 310 | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE I | 3 |
| DENT 314A | CLINICAL DENTAL RADIOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENE | 0 |
| ORBI 316 | HEAD & NECK ANATOMY | 2 |
| DHYG 320 | CLINICAL TECHNIQUES I | 2 |
| ORBI 325 | INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY | 1 |
| ADRS 326 | DENTAL MATERIALS | 2 |
| ORBI 366 | GENERAL/ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENE | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| DHYG 312 | NITROUS OXIDE-OXYGEN SEDATION | 1 |
| DENT 314 | CLINICAL DENTAL RADIOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENE | 1 |
| DHYG 328 | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE II | 1 |
| DHYG 330 | CLINICAL TECHNIQUES II | 2 |
| PERO 331 | THEORETICAL PERIODONTOLOGY | 2 |
| GERI 335 | CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS: BEHAVIOR, ETHICS, AND HEALTH SYSTEMS | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ORBI 401 | INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY | 2 |
| DHYG 406A | COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH | 0 |
| ADRS 408 | CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH DISABILITIES | 1 |
| DHYG 412 | LOCAL ANESTHESIA | 2 |
| DENT 415A | CLINICAL DENTAL RADIOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENE | 0 |
| DHYG 423 | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE III | 4 |
| DHYG 425 | CLINICAL TECHNIQUES III | 2 |
| ORBI 491 | CLINICAL ORAL PATHOLOGY | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ORBI 305 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY | 1 |
| DHYG 406 | COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
| DENT 415 | CLINICAL DENTAL RADIOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENE | 1 |
| DHYG 426 | PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES | 2 |
| DHYG 428 | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE IV | 4 |
| DHYG 430 | CLINICAL TECHNIQUES IV | 2 |
| ORBI 471 | A REVIEW OF BIOMEDICAL/DENTAL SCIENCES | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are set by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and may be changed at any time. The following quotations are for academic year 2022-2023 and are offered as guidelines only.1
| Dental Hygiene - Resident | $313.00 per credit hour |
| Dental Hygiene - Nonresident | $871.00 per credit hour |
| Dental Hygiene Instruments | 1,030.00/semester |
| Anatomy Lab Fee | $25.00/per year |
| Technology Fee | $100.00/semester |
| Equipment Replacement Fee | $310.00/semester |
| Library Fee2 | $8.25/credit hour |
| Dental Hygiene - Lincoln Campus Student Fees | $670.00/semester; $260.00/summer1 |
| Background Check Fee (only at matriculation) | $50.00 |
| Student Health Insurance3 | $1,710.00 1st semester; $2,380.00 2nd semester |
See the Scholarships and Financial Aid section for applicable information about scholarships, financial aid, and establishing residency for tuition purposes.
Dental Hygiene Student - Books, Equipment & Instrument Policy
Books & Instruments
Dental Hygiene students are responsible to purchase and obtain assigned books.
Students must purchase their own magnification loupes. The cost to purchase the loupes is not included in the student fee assessment and will be at the student's own expense. An estimated expense for purchasing loupes is included in the financial aid cost of attendance allowance.
Instruments are owned by the dental hygiene students. They receive their entire instrument issue the first semester, junior year. The cost for instruments is assessed over four semesters and may vary from junior year to senior year.
Equipment and Replacement Fee
Students pay a service fee which provides for basic and pre-clinical laboratory supplies; use and laundering of COD clinic gowns; pre-clinical dispensing services; and other items or services necessary for students participation in the academic programs at the College.
Some equipment and dental instruments are leased to and checked out to students for specific purposes and are to be returned in satisfactory condition. Students are responsible for the cost of lost and/or damaged equipment. This includes all items issued for clinic, laboratories, or classrooms.
Anatomy Lab Fee
Students pay an annual service fee to support on-going laboratory & program endeavors necessary to successfully complete the dental hygiene program's laboratory exercises.
Technology Fee
Provides technological support, electronic course materials, and equipment updates throughout the duration of the student's program.
Withdrawal of Students
If a student leaves the program before graduation, all issued equipment and instruments must be returned before the College will authorize any appropriate refunds of University tuition and general fees; release of transcripts and letters of recommendation or any other information as determined by the College.
University Housing
The Board of Regents determines the rates for room and board in the student residence halls. University housing is only available to Lincoln campus students. Current information is available from the Division of University Housing, 530 N. 17th Street, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Box 880622, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0622, (402) 472-3561.