Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene - Degree Completion Program, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene


Academic Information

This degree is intended for licensed dental hygienists with an associate degree or certificate. This bachelor’s degree allows students to take all courses online while continuing to work in the dental hygiene profession. Extensive transfer credit is given for dental hygiene licensure. The focus of the degree is to prepare graduates for positions in public health, dental hygiene education, research, expanded practice and graduate study.

This program is nationally recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA).

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene - Degree Completion Program, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene


Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - Degree Completion Program?

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program (BSDHCP) is specifically designed for dental hygienists with an Associate Degree, Diploma, or Certificate in Dental Hygiene. The BSDHCP will enhance your theoretical and clinical knowledge and promote career advancement in management, education, public health, sales, marketing and research. The degree is also aimed at those who want the option to move into a new field related to Dental Hygiene, pursue a Master's Degree, or who want to strengthen professional skills in communication, evidence-based practice, computer use, and statistics.

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene - Degree Completion Program, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene - Degree Completion Program, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The Northern Arizona University Dental Hygiene Department offers the only Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene in the State of Arizona. With a national reputation for educating dental hygiene professionals since its inception in 1973, the program offers a high-quality education. The Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program (DHDCP) is specifically for dental hygienists who already have an associate’s degree, diploma, or certificate in dental hygiene from a regionally-accredited institution or students currently enrolled in a regionally accredited dental hygiene program. Degree-completion students are often interested in pursuing roles outside of the traditional clinical private practice. Such roles may include teaching, research, corporate employment, or public health clinical or administrative positions. Graduates are prepared to practice in diverse settings with special emphasis on rural communities and other underserved populations through a curriculum centered in public health. While in the program, students take courses that emphasize: Public Health, Dental Research, Communication and Behavior, Professional Development, Global Oral Health, Interprofessional Practice and Healthcare Policy and Management. Their capstone project requires the origination of a public health project that requires exhaustive assessment and planning. Projects are then implemented and outcomes are evaluated in a final written report. This public health emphasis specifically prepares graduates to write grant proposals and serve in public health administrative roles. The future of dentistry is moving towards the development of a dental therapist; a new Masters prepared dental midlevel provider. After attaining a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, graduates are optimally poised to enter advanced dental therapy programs, work in independent practice, and/or work in affiliated practice

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes align with Standards from the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene - Degree Completion Program, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene


Details

Transfer Block
Major Requirements
General Electives
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene - Degree Completion Program, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene


Campus Availability

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