Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Assume responsibility for professional actions and care based on accepted scientific theories, research, standards of care and regulatory guidelines.
- Assess persons of all ages/stages of life and cultures in order to formulate treatment plans and evaluate patient needs in a diverse society.
- Provide humanistic, preventative and therapeutic dental hygiene services to sustain patient-centered care and outcomes.
- Utilize information technology and scientific literature to assure evidence-based decision making.
- Demonstrate self-awareness through continual self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth.
- Utilize information technology and scientific literature to assure evidence-based decision making.
- Apply individual and population risk factors, social determinants of health and scientific research to promote improved health and enhanced quality of life.
- Develop health education strategies for the prevention of disease and promotion of health for patients across socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
- Communicate and provide health education and oral self-care to diverse populations.
- Model civic and social engagement through active involvement in professional and community affiliations to advance oral health.
- Promote and lead ethical and equitable patient care in all practice environments utilizing appropriate communication skills.
- Inspire and network with others to develop effective strategies to foster interprofessional care.
Goals
1. Dental Hygiene graduates will possess the skills and knowledge to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the dental hygiene process of care in a culturally diverse society and regulatory guidelines.
2. Dental Hygiene graduates will adopt and attitude of lifelong learning and scientific inquiry that contributes to the provision of evidence-based practice.
3. Dental Hygiene graduates will exemplify a commitment to community and encourage participation in professional endeavors for the advancement of oral health.
4. Dental Hygiene graduates will demonstrate leadership in upholding ethical, professional, inclusive, and progressive practice.
Program Requirements
The dental hygiene program begins in August of each year and continues for two academic years with a summer session between years. For more information, contact the program director.
UMKC Essentials
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester Experience Course (GEFSE) | 3 | |
| Written Communication: | ||
| ENGLISH 110 | Introduction to Academic Prose | 3 |
| ENGLISH 225 | English II: Intermediate Academic Prose | 3 |
| Oral Communication (Satisfied in program requirements below) | ||
| Math Pathway (Satisfied in program requirements below) | ||
| Critical Thinking in the Arts & Humanities (GECRT-AH) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Natural & Physical Sciences (GECRT-SC) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Social & Behavioral Sciences (GECRT-SS) | 3 | |
| Culture & Diversity Course (GECDV) | 3 | |
| Civic & Urban Engagement Course (GECUE; Satisfied in program requirements below) | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Constitution Course Requirement
Section 170.011.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, 2015, states that all candidates for a degree issued by a college or university in the state of Missouri must have “satisfactorily passed an examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri, and in American history and American institutions.”
Courses at UMKC that satisfy this state requirement are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| The Supreme Court And The Criminal Process | ||
| U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| U.S. History Since 1877 | ||
| Honors American Government | ||
| American Government | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
There are a few other ways this requirement can be satisfied for students transferring to UMKC:
- Take an equivalent course from the list above at a regionally accredited institution.
- Earn credit for one of the above courses through AP, IB, or CLEP.
- Take a course that directly satisfies the Missouri Constitution Requirement at another Missouri institution.
- Have a previous bachelors degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete the 42 Hour Core at a Missouri institution and have it listed on the official transcript.
Program Prerequisites
A minimum grade of 'C' must be earned in all prerequisite science coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Please choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Biology and Living | ||
| General Biology I | ||
| General Biology II | ||
| Please choose one of the following course sequences: | 6-8 | |
| Introductory Anatomy and Human Physiology | ||
| Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| BIOLOGY 112 | Microbiology and Living | 3 |
| CHEM 211 & 211L | General Chemistry I and Experimental General Chemistry I | 5 |
| COMM-ST 110 | Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening (satisfies GE Oral Communication requirement) | 3 |
| or COMM-ST 140 | Introduction to Communication | |
| MATH 110 | Precalculus Algebra (or any 200-level or above MATH/STAT course; satisfies GE Math Pathway) | 3 |
| or MATH 120 | Precalculus | |
| PSYCH 210 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCIOL 101 | Sociology: An Introduction | 3 |
| Total Credits | 29-31 | |
Professional Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMS 93065 | Anatomy of the Head & Neck | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3000 | Dental Morphology And Occlusion | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3020 | Dental Radiology | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3030 | Introduction to Histopathology of Oral Tissues | 1 |
| DENT-HYG 3080 | Introduction to the Preventive Practice of Dental Hygiene (satisfies GEFSE course, if not previously completed) | 4 |
| DENT-HYG 3080L | Preclinical Dental Hygiene | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3200 | General and Oral Pathology | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3210 | Applied Nutrition and Biochemistry | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3220 | Dental Biomaterials | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3260 | Principles Of Periodontics | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3280C | Dental Hygiene Clinic I | 3 |
| DENT-HYG 3285 | Seminar In Dental Hygiene I | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 3300 | Radiographic Interpretation | 1 |
| DENT-HYG 3320 | Oral Health Behavior Change | 3 |
| DENT-HYG 3340 | Principles Of Public Health | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 4001 | Clinical Oral Radiology | 1 |
| DENT-HYG 4020 | Local Anesthesia And Pain Control | 3 |
| DENT-HYG 4050 | Periodontics II | 1 |
| DENT-HYG 4060C | Dental Hygiene Clinic II | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 4065 | Seminar in Dental Hygiene II | 1 |
| DENT-HYG 4080 | Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Decision Making | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 4100 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| DENT-HYG 4120C | Dental Hygiene Clinic III | 4 |
| DENT-HYG 4210 | Practice Management | 3 |
| DENT-HYG 4220 | Interdisciplinary Community Oral Health Field Experiences (satisfies GECUE course) | 3 |
| DENT-HYG 4240 | Ethics In Professional Practice | 1 |
| DENT-HYG 4260 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| DENT-HYG 4260C | Dental Hygiene Clinic IV | 4 |
| LS-PHYS 3070 | Oral Physiology | 3 |
| Dental Hygiene Elective (choose one of the following) | 2 | |
| ECP III Training Course (limited availability) | ||
| Community Dentistry Practicum (limited availability) | ||
| Advanced Clinical Practice (limited availability) | ||
| Independent Study in Dental Hygiene | ||
| Practicum in Clinical Instruction (limited availability) | ||
| Total Credits | 67 | |
GPA Minimum: 2.5
Total credit hours: 120
Admission Requirements
This clinical entry level program is for the individual who wants to go into the field of dental hygiene. The primary goals of the basic preparation bachelor of science degree program in dental hygiene are to prepare dental hygienists to perform competently in clinical practice and to perform competently in clinical practice and/ or community oral health program planning, clinical teaching, special patient care, practice management and research.
Admission to the Clinical Entry Level Program
Admission is on a selective basis and requires more than simply meeting certain course or GPA requirements. Factors considered in the selection process are the candidates' academic credentials, letters of evaluation, a personal interview, motivation and all other information submitted by the candidates. Formal applications for admission to the dental hygiene program must be submitted no later than December 1st. Classes formally begin each year at the end of August. Minimum requirements and credentials for application are all of the following:
- Graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent.
- Satisfactory completion of approximately two academic years or 60 semester hours of college. (The 60 semester hours must satisfy the general education requirements, which are specified later in this section. All general education requirements must be completed prior to entrance into the dental hygiene program.)
- Application to UMKC.
- Supplemental application for admission to the Division of Dental Hygiene.
- College transcripts of all college coursework.
- A cumulative college GPA of at least 2.75.
- A college science prerequisite GPA of 2.75. Preferred GPA for admission is 3.3.
- Three reference forms.
- Personal interview.
- For international applicants, a satisfactory TOEFL score (at least 550 on the paper test or 213 on the computer-based version).
Notification of Admission
Applications for admission are reviewed by the School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Student Admissions Committee. After a decision is reached on an application, notification of acceptance is made by mail. The applicant has 30 days from the date of the acceptance letter to make a required non-refundable $100 deposit. This deposit is applied to enrollment fees.
Several applicants are placed on an alternates list. In the event that a position becomes available, an applicant from this list is chosen to fill the vacancy. Alternates may be accepted through the first week of the program.
Tools for Planning and Fulfilling Academic Requirements
UMKC's Major Maps are detailed, semester by semester plans that lead a student to complete all degree requirements within four years. Plans include benchmarks and critical courses by term that assist a student’s evaluation of progress and major “fit”. In order to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken, students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor for this major. Please see the tab above to view the major map for this program.
UMKC’s Transfer Guides provide detailed guidance on recommended transfer coursework, plans of study, transfer timelines, and transfer contact information. To ensure a seamless transfer experience, students are encouraged to work with both their community college advisor and a UMKC advisor when planning their coursework.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Audit’ degree audit system provides an individual evaluation of all degree requirements (General Education, Degree Specific, Major Specific, etc.) for students' officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. This evaluation is used to certify all graduation requirements.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Plans’ degree planning tool enables students to develop a personalized semester by semester plan of study towards completion of degree requirements for student’s officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. Update and edit your full plan to degree completion each term and confirm accuracy each semester with your Academic Advisor(s).
