• Job Opportunities
• Related Degrees
• Degree Requirements

Graduates of the dental hygiene program serve as consumer advocates for oral healthcare. They are an integral part of the dental team, able to provide instruction and therapeutic services in the prevention of oral diseases. The curriculum combines 15 hours of general education courses and 15 hours of science courses with 52 hours of professional courses in dental and dental hygiene sciences. Students experience didactic, laboratory, and clinical education. Successful completion of the program prepares the graduate to write the National Board Examination to become a registered dental hygienist.

Admission to the program is highly selective. Students should consult Student Advisement concerning admission, progression, and graduation requirements. A grade of "C" or above is required in all science/math and major courses in order to progress within the program. Enrollment in courses beginning with the DHYG prefix requires admission to the dental hygiene program.

For more information see the Dental Hygiene Major.

Job Opportunities

Private Dental Practices Dental Supply and Product Companies Insurance Companies

Veterinary Dentistry Practices Correctional Facilities

Related Degrees

Degree Plan and Description	Printable Degree Plan
AAS - Dental Hygiene	Degree Plan
AAS - Nursing Technology - ADN	Degree Plan
AAS - Radiography	Degree Plan
AAS - Respiratory Care	Degree Plan
AAS - Surgical Technology	Degree Plan
BS - Imaging Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography	Degree Plan
BS - Imaging Sciences Management	Degree Plan
BSN - Nursing	Degree Plan
BSN - Nursing RN - BSN Online Completion Program	Degree Plan
TC - Practical Nursing	Degree Plan

Degree Requirements

(Printable Version with full details)

The prerequisites and corequisites of the degree requirements are subject to change.

PREREQUISITES: 14 hours
Credit Hours	Courses	Notes	Grade
3	CHEM 1203 Chemistry for Health Occupations
3	MATH 1403 College Algebra
4	BIOL 1464 Microbiology and Immunology
4	BIOL 1524 Anatomy and Physiology I
FIRST SEMESTER: 17 hours
Credit Hours	Courses	Notes	Grade
3	DHYG 1103 Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene Theory
2	DHYG 1202 Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene
3	DHYG 1313 Radiology
2	DHYG 1412 Oral Embryology and Histology
2	DHYG 1432 Head and Neck Anatomy
1	DHYG 1111 Dental Anatomy and Occlusion
4	BIOL 1534 Anatomy and Physiology II
SECOND SEMESTER: 14 hours
Credit Hours	Courses	Notes	Grade
3	DHYG 1113 Clinic I Theory
3	DHYG 1213 Dental Hygiene Clinic I
3	DHYG 1443 Pharmacology
3	DHYG 1453 General and Oral Pathology
2	DHYG 1212 Periodontology I
THIRD SEMESTER (SUMMER I): 6 hours
Credit Hours	Courses	Notes	Grade
3	ENGL 1203 Freshman English I
3	ITA Computer Course(s)	1
FOURTH SEMESTER (SUMMER II): 6/9 hours
Credit Hours	Courses	Notes	Grade
3	PSYC 1163 General Psychology
3/6	English Composition/Communication	2
FIFTH SEMESTER: 14 hours
Credit Hours	Courses	Notes	Grade
2	DHYG 2122 Clinic II Theory
4	DHYG 2224 Dental Hygiene Clinic II
3	DHYG 2463 Dental Materials
1	DHYG 2311 Periodontology II
2	DHYG 2512 Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide
2	DHYG 2372 Dental Nutrition
SIXTH SEMESTER: 11 hours
Credit Hours	Courses	Notes	Grade
2	DHYG 2132 Clinic Theory III
4	DHYG 2234 Dental Hygiene Clinic III
2	DHYG 2522 Ethics and Practice Management
3	DHYG 2533 Community Dentistry and Dental Health Education
Total Hours: 82/85

The prerequisites and corequisites of the degree requirements are subject to change.

NOTES
1: ITA Computer Course(s): Select one 3 hour option- Option I- ITA 1003; Option II- ITA 1051 and two from ITA 1101, 1201, or 1251.
2: English composition/Communication: Select one option- Option I- ENGL 1223; Option II- ENGL 1213 and SPCH 1203.

Transfer Course Information

The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and the equitable treatment of the application of credits for the admissions and degree requirements. Courses transferability is not guaranteed for courses listed in ACTS as "No Comparable Courses." Courses with a D grade will not transfer unless an appeal for exception is submitted in writing to the provost prior to the first day of class. ACTS-Arkansas Course Transfer System http://acts.adhe.edu -select Course Transfer. Students may also view the UA Fort Smith Transfer Credit Guide at www.uafortsmith.edu/Transfer/TransferCreditGuide.