• UNM Catalog 2019-2020
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• >School of Medicine
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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 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.

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.

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.