Bachelor of Science - Dental Hygiene
Entry-Level Curriculum for College Juniors and Seniors

Fast Facts

• Licensed dental hygienists are in demand by many types of employers from the dentist to the U.S. military. And graduates from the Division of Dental Hygiene are at the leading edge of their profession because of their intensive training allows them to move freely in a wide range of settings or to pursue an advanced graduate degree.

• Admission to the Entry-Level Program in Dental Hygiene program is designed for qualified junior and senior college students (with 60 hours of liberal arts course work and a 2.5 or above GPA) who are committed to pursuing a health care profession.

• The goal of the program is to prepare dental hygienists to perform competently in the private dental office and other settings such as oral health teaching, research, community and institutional dental health programs and practice management.

• The program begins each August and continues for two academic years with a summer term in between. Applications must be submitted by February 1 of the year that the student seeks admission.

• The curriculum is a challenging one that emphasizes a ‘hands on’ approach and incorporates a variety of educational experiences and environments from the traditional classroom to the laboratory and clinic.

Admission Requirements and Program Prerequisites

Entry-Level Program – Admission Requirements
Admission to the Division of Dental Hygiene programs is selective and requires more than meeting certain course or grade point average requirements. The selection process takes into account a number of candidate factors including:

• Academic credentials

• Letters of evaluation

• A personal interview

• Motivation

• And other information submitted by the candidate

Classes begin each year at the end of August. Formal applications for admission to UMKC and the dental hygiene program must be submitted no later than February 1 of the year the student desires admission.

Use these links to download the supplemental application forms required for admission:
Admission Procedures & Requirements Instructions
General Ed Worksheet
Reference Form
Supplemental Application

Please email dh@umkc.edu or call 816-235-2050 if you are unable to download the materials.

To request an Information Packet about this program click here.

If you have advising questions or to contact an advisor, please email dh@umkc.edu or call 816-235-2050

• Graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent.
• High school transcripts.
• Satisfactory completion of approximately academic two years of college (60 semester hours). These sixty hours must be completed before admission to the dental hygiene program and satisfy the general education Program Prerequisites listed below.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5.
• A college science grade point average of at least 2.5.
• Transcripts all college course work.
• Application to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
• Application for admission to the Division of Dental Hygiene.
• Three evaluation and recommendation forms.
• Personal interview with at least two members of the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee. (Interviews are by invitation only and are scheduled after February for those students who have met the admissions criteria)

In addition, acceptance is contingent on submission of a criminal background check.

Residency Requirements
The UMKC School of Dentistry is a state-supported school and therefore has a primary responsibility to applicants who are residents of the state of Missouri. The school also has reciprocal and contractual agreements with the State of Kansas. Additionally, the Division of Dental Hygiene does consider qualified applicants from all other states.

Program Prerequisites
Transfer credits for coursework completed at other institutions which are substantially equivalent to those as UMKC will be granted provided a grade of C or above was received.

A total 56 to 67 semester hours must be completed prior to entering the dental hygiene program and must include:

Notification of Admission
The UMKC School of Dentistry’s Student Admissions Committee reviews applications for admission to the Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Program. After the committee has reaches their decisions, notifications of acceptance are made by mail. Candidates have 30 days from the date of the acceptance letter to respond with a non-refundable $100 deposit. The deposit is credited to the enrollment fees.

The committee also creates an alternate list of applicants. In the event that a position becomes available, an applicant from the alternate list is chosen to fill the vacancy. Alternates may be accepted through the first week of the program.

Background and Goals

Background
UMKC’s dental hygiene program is one of the oldest in the country. The program was established in 1952, however, there were less formal nine-month and one-year programs that can be traced back as early as the 1920s. For nearly fifty years, dental hygiene graduates have gone on to serve the oral health care needs of thousands of patients across the country. The Division of Dental Hygiene at the UMKC School of Dentistry is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

Dental Hygiene
The dental hygienist is a professional who completes educational and clinical studies in preventive oral health care. Each state has established licensure requirements for dental hygienists. Registered dental hygienists (R.D.H.s) provide a wide range services in dental practices and may pursue a variety of career options including clinical, administrative, education and research.

Mission
The primary mission of the Division of Dental Hygiene is to graduate a dental hygienist who can actively participate in the improvement of the public’s oral health. It is also the aim of the faculty to provide a baccalaureate degree program that is equivalent to baccalaureate programs in other disciplines, thereby providing upward mobility for graduates. Through the integration of the basic, behavioral, dental and clinical sciences, the dental hygiene student will be able to function effectively as a health care professional in a constantly changing society working with a diverse population. Graduates must be able to use the skills of problem-solving, decision-making and evaluation so that behaviors and practices are derived from intentional choices. They must become life-long learners, directing their professional growth during and beyond the educational programs.

• clinical classroom teaching
• community dental health program planning
• care of patients with special needs
• practice management
• research

Additionally, the Division of Dental Hygiene strives to achieve these goals:

• To develop a graduate who possesses the skills and knowledge to competently, legally and ethically assess, plan, implement and evaluate dental hygiene care in a culturally diverse society.

• To develop a graduate who possesses the ability to assess his/her own work and actively plan for continued growth.

• To encourage participation in professional associations for the advancement of dental hygiene and the promotion of oral health.

• To foster an attitude of life-long learning and scientific inquiry.

• To foster a commitment to community service in diverse populations.

Today
The Division of Dental Hygiene carries forward this proud tradition by offering qualified and motivated students two ways to obtain a Bachelor in Science degree in Dental Hygiene and could lead to advanced studies in several areas of specialization.

Curriculum

Introduction
The conventional entry-level dental hygiene program is designed for full-time study begins in August of each year and continues for two academic years with a summer session in between. It may be possible to study part-time, however, the time to graduation is extended to 3 to 4 years. To find out more about this option, send e-mail to Division of Dental Hygiene – Program Director.

Overview
A minimum of 124 semester hours is required for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree including the dental hygiene basic preparation curriculum. The basic preparation curriculum emphasizes the basic sciences and the dental and dental hygiene sciences.

For a minimum of two days each semester, dental hygiene students participate in clinical learning experiences. By the end of the first semester, students are working in the school’s clinic providing basic hygiene care to patients. Clinical learning occurs in building blocks to help ensure the competency required for graduation and licensure.

The curriculum consists of earning 66 to 68 credits through these courses:

Year One – Fall Semester - 16 Credit Hours

Year One – Winter Semester - 16 Credit Hours

Year Two – Summer Term - 6 Credit Hours

Year Two – Fall Semester - 16 Credit Hours

Year Two – Winter Semester – 13 15 Credit Hours

Electives (Select one or more)

Complete information on the courses can be viewed on-line by using this
Course Descriptions link.

Expenses

Because of variations in the numbers of credit hours to be completed and the differences the electives selected. To make an estimate of your tuition and fees, contact the Division by phone at 816/235-2050 or by e-mail – dh@umkc.edu

In addition to enrollment and other fees, others cost are also incurred as part of participating in the program (fees are subject to change):

• Instruments and supplies

• Textbooks

• Uniforms, lab coats, etc.

• Professional association fee

An advance, non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is required upon admission to the program. This payment is credited to the student’s education fee upon enrollment.

There are numerous opportunities for qualified applicants to receive different forms of financial aid. Take a look at Financial Aid.

Because each student’s expenses vary based on a number of factors, the costs above do not include room and board, or personal items. For help and advice with on and off-campus housing - check with Student Housing.