Undergraduate Program

Degree Offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (B.S.D.H.)

The Division of Dental Hygiene currently offers the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (B.S.D.H.) in two tracks:

  1. B.S.D.H. degree program which includes one and one-half years of pre-professional entrance requirements and two and one-half years of professional curriculum requirements.
  2. B.S.D.H. degree completion program for students who have already completed an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene.

Dental hygienists are licensed preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services in dental care. Career opportunities for hygienists are available in a variety of settings, including private dental practices, community dental health clinics, public schools, clinical and basic science research laboratories, state and federal health facilities and management positions. Licensure by national and state examination is required.

Students for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree are accepted for matriculation only in the spring semester. Students may be accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program for the fall, spring or summer sessions.


Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (B.S.D.H.) degree program follows a required three-semester pre-professional program with a five-semester professional curriculum which begins each year during the spring semester. An additional short session is also included during the summer between the junior and senior years of the Dental Hygiene curriculum. Facilities limit each class to no more the 24 students. In addition to tuition, housing, books and other usual school expenses, the Division of Dental Hygiene issue student instrument kits costing the student approximately $4,000.00. Additional fees of approximately $2,000.00 annually and a $600.00 summer session in the junior year will cover dental supplies, clinic and laboratory. Graduation, licensure, and Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association membership fees are additional. Fees are subject for change on a yearly basis. Students are responsible for transportation fees to and from rotations at off campus sites.

Admission Requirements

1.  Applications/Academic Credentials

  • UNM Application: UNM students presently enrolled in a degree-seeking status need not reapply to UNM. All others must submit an application for admission to UNM. Application forms and instructions are available from the UNM Office of Admissions.
  • Application to the Division of Dental Hygiene: Forms are available through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and must be submitted through the ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS).
  • Application fee, payable on the Division of Dental Hygiene Web site.

  • Academic Credentials: Must be submitted with the ADEA DHCAS application. 
  • Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher education. 
  • Official listing of courses in progress.

2.  Admissibility to UNM as described in Admissions section of this Catalog.

3.  Completion of pre-professional curriculum. Courses in progress and those to be completed by January of the year in which the application is made are considered. Proof of successful completion of these courses must be submitted to both the UNM Office of Admissions and the ADEA DHCAS at the end of each semester which they are taken. An official, final transcript must be forwarded to both the UNM Office of Admissions and the ADEA DHCAS as soon as it becomes available.

4.  Minimum overall grade point average of 2.40 on a 4.0 scale is considered. Courses with grades of "CR/NC" (credit/no credit) are not considered for fulfillment of the requirements. All program prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Deadline: Both applications (UNM and Dental Hygiene) and credentials are due no later than September 1. Admission is for the Spring semester only. Those applicants who are provisionally selected are notified in December.

All applicants are notified of their admissions status. Selection is given to qualified persons regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, qualified disability or military involvement. Equal opportunity for admission is given to all qualified applicants.

Advisement sessions are required and are available each month at the Division of Dental Hygiene. Call the office at (505) 272-4513 to attend the monthly sessions.

Program Requirements

Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for information on courses that meet General Education curriculum and U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirements.

Credit
Hours
Semester 1 Pre-Professional-Freshman I
BIOL 1140 Biology for Health Sciences 3
BIOL 1140L Biology for Health Sciences Laboratory 1
CHEM 1120C Introduction to Chemistry for Non-Majors Lecture and Laboratory 4
ENGL 1110
-or-
ENGL 1110Y
-or-
ENGL 1110Z
Composition I

Composition I: Stretch II

Enhanced Composition
3
PSYC 1110 Introduction to Psychology 3
General Education: Arts and Design 3
   Subtotal 17
Semester 2 Pre-Professional-Freshman II  
BIOL 2210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I  3
BIOL 2210L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory 1
CHEM 2120 Integrated Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry 4
COMM 2120 Interpersonal Communication 3
ENGL 1120 Composition II 3
   Subtotal 14
Semester 3 Pre-Professional-Sophomore  
BIOL 2225 Human Anatomy and Physiology II  3
BIOL 2225L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory 1
BIOL 2305 Microbiology for Health Sciences 4
MATH 1350 Introduction to Statistics 3
NUTR 2110 Human Nutrition 3
SOCI 1110 Introduction to Sociology 3
   Subtotal 17
Semester 4 Professional-Sophomore  
DEHY 205 Introduction to Dental Hygiene 2
DEHY 210 Head and Neck Anatomy 2
DEHY 211 Dental Anatomy 2
DEHY 250 Gen/Oral Hist and Embrey 2
  General Education: Humanities 3
General Education 3
   Subtotal 14
Semester 5 Professional-Junior I
 
DEHY 301 Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture I 3
DEHY 302 Clinical Dental Hygiene I 2
DEHY 312 Dental Radiology/Lab 3
DEHY 330 Dental Health Education I 2
DEHY 335 Dental Office Emergencies 2
DEHY 340 General and Oral Pathology 3
   Subtotal 15
Semester 6 Professional-Junior II  
DEHY 303 Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture II 3
DEHY 304 Clinical Dental Hygiene II 3
DEHY 320 Dental Bio-Materials 2
DEHY 360 Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist 3
DEHY 370 Special Care in Dental Hygiene 2
DEHY 470 Periodontology I 3
   Subtotal 16
Summer Professional-Junior III  
DEHY 440 Extramural Experience 3
General Education: Second Language 3
Subtotal 6
Semester 7 Professional-Senior I  
DEHY 401 Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture III 2
DEHY 402 Clinical Dental Hygiene III 3
DEHY 410 Dental Hygiene Research Methodology 3
DEHY 422 Dental Public Health 3
DEHY 480 Local Anesthesia and Pain Control 3
   Subtotal 14
Semester 8 Professional-Senior II  
DEHY 400 Current Issues 3
DEHY 403 Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture IV 2
DEHY 404 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV 4
DEHY 423 Dental Public Health II 1
DEHY 440 Extramural Experience 3
DEHY 442 Principles of Practice 2
   Subtotal 15
  Total 128

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene: Degree Completion Program

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (B.S.D.H.) degree completion program expands the basic skills and knowledge acquired in an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program.

This program requires successful completion of 12 core credit 400-level upper-division courses and selection of area of focus in one of several areas including education, advanced clinic, management, research or public health. The program is self-paced and designed to serve the needs of the practicing hygienist. The program is completed online. Courses are offered in an eight-week format.

This program is available to selected students who have received an Associate Degree or a Certificate in Dental Hygiene from a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a regional accreditation agency. Applicants for admission to the bachelor’s degree program must meet the following requirements:

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of a certificate or associate degree program in dental hygiene that has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a regional accreditation agency, or a letter from the director of a CODA and regionally-accredited New Mexico community college program.
  • A satisfactory academic GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Application to the B.S.D.H. degree completion program: Forms are available through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and must be submitted through the ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS).
  • A copy of official transcripts of all prior college courses undertaken.
  • Application fee, payable on the Division of Dental Hygiene Web site.

  • A copy of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination score.
  • A copy of a current and active license in any state.
  • Interview with Program Director.
  • Application to UNM.

Program Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of 12 credit hours of 400-level Dental Hygiene core courses, to include 6 credit hours of Extramural Experience in an area of focus as approved by the Program Director.
  2. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 128 total credit hours including the above. Thirty of these credit hours must be completed at UNM, exclusive of extension courses. Fifteen of these credit hours must be completed after 92 credit hours have been earned.
  3. At least a 2.00 GPA in all credit hours attempted at UNM and at least a 2.50 GPA in all dental hygiene courses.
  4. Written application for graduation to be submitted to Program Director during the semester prior to expected graduation date.
  5. Unanimous recommendation for graduation by the full-time faculty of the Division.

An individual curriculum for each student is developed. This curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the practicing hygienist who wishes to enroll as a part-time student as well as the full-time continuing student.

Credit
Hours
  Required Courses
DEHY 400 Current Issues 3
DEHY 410 Dental Hygiene Research Methodology 3
DEHY 440 Extramural Experience 6
  Subtotal 12
  Electives (select from):  
DEHY 407 Problems 3-9
DEHY 422 Dental Public Health I 3
Additional related electives, as approved by Program Director. Areas of focus: education, advanced clinic, management, public health, research. 6-12
Total 12

Students graduate under the Catalog requirements of the year in which they enroll, provided they complete graduation requirements within a continuous three-year period. Students who interrupt attendance and are absent from the program one or more years must reapply and follow the same procedures as a new applicant.


Courses

DEHY 205. Introduction to Dental Hygiene. (2)



DEHY 210. Head and Neck Anatomy. (2)



DEHY 211. Dental Anatomy. (2)



DEHY 250. Gen Oral Hist and Embrey. (2)



DEHY 301. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture I. (3)



DEHY 302. Clinical Dental Hygiene I. (2)



DEHY 303. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture II. (3)



DEHY 304. Clinical Dental Hygiene II. (3)



DEHY 312. Dental Radiology- Lab. (3)



DEHY 320. Dental Bio-Materials. (2)



DEHY 330. Dental Health Education I. (2)



DEHY 335. Dental Office Emergencies. (2)



DEHY 340. General and Oral Pathology. (3)



DEHY 360. Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist. (3)



DEHY 370. Special Care in Dental Hygiene. (2)



DEHY 400 [400 / 500]. Current Issues in Dental Hygiene. (3)



DEHY 401. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture III. (2)



DEHY 402. Clinical Dental Hygiene III. (3)



DEHY 403. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture IV. (2)



DEHY 404. Clinical Dental Hygiene IV. (4)



DEHY 407. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DEHY 410 [410 / 510]. Dental Hygiene Research Methodology. (3)



DEHY 422. Dental Public Health I. (3)



DEHY 423. Dental Public Health II. (1)



DEHY 440. Extramural Experience. (1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DEHY 442. Principles of Practice. (2)



DEHY 470. Periodontology I. (3)



DEHY 480. Local Anesthesia and Pain Control. (3)



DEHY 500 [500 / 400]. Current Issues in Dental Hygiene. (3, may be repeated once Δ [3])



DEHY 501. Dental Hygiene Administration. (3)



DEHY 502. Dental Hygiene Instructional Strategies. (3)



DEHY 503. Oral Medicine. (3)



DEHY 504. Dental Hygiene Internship. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DEHY 505. Clinical Teaching and Administration. (3 [4])



DEHY 507. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DEHY 510 [510 / 410]. Dental Hygiene Research Methodology. (3, may be repeated once Δ [3])



DEHY 538. Statistics in Dental Hygiene Research. (3)



DEHY 560. Nonthesis Project. (3)



DEHY 561. Advanced Dental Hygiene Clinic. (6)



DEHY 562. Primary Dental Care. (3)



DEHY 599. Dental Hygiene Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809