Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Program ADMINISTRATOR

Jennifer A. Pieren
(330) 941-2009
japieren@ysu.edu

Overview

(330) 941-3342

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree requires nine semesters of study including three semesters of coursework in the basic sciences and general education, which precede admission into the program. In the spring semester of the second year, students will begin taking the dental hygiene courses. The program is designed to prepare students as clinical dental hygienists and to pursue other possible career options such as education, public health, and research. Prospective students complete educational requirements that provide a broad academic background while attaining comprehensive dental hygiene knowledge and clinical experience.

At the end of the fourth year of the program, students are eligible to take state, regional and national board examinations. Upon successful completion of these comprehensive written and clinical examinations, the graduate may apply for a license to practice dental hygiene in the state as a registered dental hygienist.

The registered dental hygienist is a licensed professional who provides dental hygiene treatment and related preventive services. Clinical skills of the hygienist include:

  • the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide
  • recording medical and dental histories
  • exposing and interpreting radiographs
  • making study models
  • performing extra-oral and intra-oral examinations which include cancer screenings; preliminary dental charting and periodontal evaluations
  • scaling and root planning
  • polishing
  • patient education and dietary management
  • placing sealants
  • administering fluoride therapy

Many states permit the hygienist to perform additional duties such as placing temporary restorative materials.

The dental hygienist also functions as a dental health educator and is responsible for the preventive dental health program in private dental practices as well as in other settings. The hygienist teaches patients proper oral health care in order to reduce oral diseases and disorders. 

The hygienist's role in service to the community may include increasing public awareness of oral health, serving as a resource person to school systems, providing screenings to children or various groups, and making visits to nursing homes, hospitals and/or schools for the mentally or physically handicapped.

Accreditation

The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

Current accreditation standing: Approval without Reporting Requirements. 

Date of last campus visit: 2017 

Next campus visit: 2025

The Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2500

https://coda.ada.org/en 

Admission to the Program

Admission to the University provides students with the opportunity to complete a core of pre-dental hygiene courses. All students must complete and/or be registered for all of the pre-dental hygiene courses (the first year fall semester, the first year spring semester, and the second year fall semester) after which they may apply and compete for a position in the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program. Please note that due to limited clinical capacity and available resources, admission to the university and completion of the pre-dental hygiene courses does not guarantee admission to the program. The courses in BOLD on the Admission Policy document will be used in the calculation of the student's pre-dental hygiene GPA which will be used in ranking students.
 
Admitted students who voluntarily withdraw from the Dental Hygiene Program will be allowed to reapply only one additional time. This is enforced in fairness to other applicants.

A criminal background check which includes fingerprinting for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI & I) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is required for licensure in Ohio. If a student has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to substance abuse or a crime involving moral turpitude, licensure may be denied by the Ohio State Dental Board. For further information regarding licensure and the results of finger printing call the Ohio State Dental Board at (614) 466-2580.

Students can access Transferology, a free web-based source where they can find accurate information regarding courses that transfer and apply to a degree program.

Prospective students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of observation of a registered dental hygienist in two separate dental offices or clinics. Observation forms are available on the Dental Hygiene website. Each prospective student must print the form, fill it out and return it by September 1 of the year of application. Mail with appropriate signatures to:

Youngstown State University
Dental Hygiene Program
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555.

New, Current, Former, and Transfer Students

Students must apply and compete for conditional acceptance into the dental hygiene program by September 1 for spring semester admittance. Rankings for admission will include a minimum GPA of 2.70, in the bolded courses (see Admissions Policy) and a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or greater. ALL pre-dental hygiene courses must be completed with a "C" or better at the end of the fall semester of the second year (as outlined below).

For more information, visit the Dental Hygiene major website.

Pre-Dental Hygiene Courses

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500 Success Seminar 1
ENGL 1550 Writing 1 3
BIOL 1545
1545L
Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology
and Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory
5
CHEM 1510
1510L
Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences
and Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences Laboratory
4
 Semester Hours13
Spring
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
BIOL 1560 Microbiology for the Health Professions 2
BIOL 1560L
Microbiology Laboratory for Health Professions
or Microbiology for Health Care Laboratory
1
PSYC 1560 General Psychology 3
MATH 2623
Quantitative Reasoning
or Statistical Literacy and Critical Reasoning
3
 Semester Hours15
Year 2
Fall
PHIL 2625 Introduction to Professional Ethics 3
SOC 1500 Introduction to Sociology 3
Arts and Humanities 3
Social and Personal Awareness Elective 3
 Semester Hours12
 Total Semester Hours40

Current Students

Current students must apply by September 1 for spring semester admittance. Application packets are in the Dean's office, Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, Cushwa Hall, Room 2104. All necessary reports and transcripts must be received by September 1. No applications will be considered after this deadline.

New, Transfer, and Former YSU Students

New, transfer, and former YSU students must first apply and be admitted to the University by completing the undergraduate admissions form and indicating dental hygiene as the intended major.

Submit transcripts from each of the post secondary institutions and high school(s) attended. Transcripts of any academic work being completed during the academic year of the requested admission date must be submitted to YSU Admissions Office by September 1. No applications will be considered after this deadline.

Observation  Requirement

All prospective students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of observation of a registered dental hygienist in at least two separate dental offices or dental clinics. Students must dress appropriately. Do not wear shorts, jeans, tennis shoes, flip-flops or other unprofessional clothing. Hair must be pulled away from the face, and make-up and perfume should be moderately applied. Observation forms are available on the dental hygiene website. Each prospective student must print the form and fill it out. The forms with the appropriate signatures must be mailed to:

Youngstown State University
Dental Hygiene Program
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH  44555

Factors affecting admission will include:

  1. Pre-Dental Hygiene G.P.A. 
  2. Cumulative G.P.A.
  3. All Pre-Dental Hygiene courses completed with a "C" or better by the end of the fall semester.
  4. Number of repetitions of BOLD pre-dental hygiene courses (as indicated in Section A).
  5. As the number of repetitions increases, the likelihood of being admitted decreases. Applicants will have within the last five years, no more than two repeated classes in all the pre-dental hygiene courses. A repeated course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better and all incompletes must be removed before beginning the dental hygiene curriculum.
  6. Satisfactory completion of the dental hygiene observation forms.

Upon receiving admission to the Dental Hygiene Program, and as a condition of admission, students must show satisfactory evidence of the following:

  1. Current CPR/BLS certification
  2. Completed physical and dental exams
  3. Proof of required immunization requirements
COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1
General Education Requirements
ENGL 1550Writing 13
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Mathematics Requirement
MATH 2623Quantitative Reasoning3-4
or STAT 2625 Statistical Literacy and Critical Reasoning
Arts and Humanities (6 s.h.)
PHIL 2625Introduction to Professional Ethics (required for major)3
Arts and Humanities Elective3
Natural Sciences (2 courses; 1 with lab) (6-7 s.h.)
CHEM 1510
1510L
Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences
and Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences Laboratory
4
Social Science (6 s.h.)
PSYC 1560General Psychology (required for major)3
SOC 1500Introduction to Sociology (required for major)3
Social and Personal Awareness (6 s.h.)6
Required Support Courses
BIOL 1545
1545L
Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology
and Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory
5
BIOL 1560Microbiology for the Health Professions2
BIOL 1560LMicrobiology Laboratory for Health Professions1
or MLT 2687L Microbiology for Health Care Laboratory
Major Requirements
DHYG 2601Dental Hygiene 13
DHYG 2601LClinical Dental Hygiene 12
DHYG 2620Head and Neck Anatomy2
DHYG 2620LHead and Neck Anatomy Lab1
DHYG 2630Management of Medical/Dental Emergencies2
DHYG 2602Dental Hygiene 22
DHYG 2602LClinical Dental Hygiene 22
DHYG 2640Oral Histology2
DHYG 3703Dental Hygiene 33
DHYG 3703LClinical Dental Hygiene 33
DHYG 3750Oral Pathology2
DHYG 3760Dental Radiology3
DHYG 3760LDental Radiology Lab1
DHYG 3770Periodontology3
AHLT 4805Health Education for Allied Health3
DHYG 3704Dental Hygiene 43
DHYG 3704LClinical Dental Hygiene 43
DHYG 3780Pharmacology2
DHYG 3790Local Anesthesia and Pain Control for Dental Hygienists2
DHYG 3790LLocal Anesthesia and Pain Control Clinic1
AHLT 4806Research Methods3
DHYG 4805Dental Hygiene 53
DHYG 4805LClinical Dental Hygiene 54
DHYG 4830Dental Materials1
DHYG 4830LDental Materials Lab1
DHYG 4840Directed Dental Hygiene Research3
DHYG 4845Expanded Functions for the Dental Hygienist3
DHYG 4845LExpanded Functions for the Dental Hygienist Lab1
DHYG 4806Dental Hygiene 62
DHYG 4806LClinical Dental Hygiene 64
DHYG 4850Dental Public Health3
DHYG 4850LCommunity Clinicals1
DHYG 4860Ethics and Practice Concepts2
DHYG 4855LExpanded Functions Clinical2
Total Semester Hours121-122
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
ENGL 1550 Writing 1 3
CHEM 1510
1510L
Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences
and Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences Laboratory
4
BIOL 1545
1545L
Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology
and Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory
5
YSU 1500 Success Seminar 1
 Semester Hours13
Spring
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
BIOL 1560 Microbiology for the Health Professions 2
BIOL 1560L
Microbiology Laboratory for Health Professions
or Microbiology for Health Care Laboratory
1
PSYC 1560 General Psychology 3
MATH 2623
Quantitative Reasoning
or Statistical Literacy and Critical Reasoning
3-4
 Semester Hours15-16
Year 2
Fall
PHIL 2625 Introduction to Professional Ethics 3
SOC 1500 Introduction to Sociology 3
Arts and Humanities Elective 3
Social and Personal Awareness Elective 3
 Semester Hours12
Spring
DHYG 2601 Dental Hygiene 1 3
DHYG 2601L Clinical Dental Hygiene 1 2
DHYG 2620 Head and Neck Anatomy 2
DHYG 2620L Head and Neck Anatomy Lab 1
DHYG 2630 Management of Medical/Dental Emergencies 2
Social and Personal Awareness Elective 3
 Semester Hours13
Summer
DHYG 2602 Dental Hygiene 2 2
DHYG 2602L Clinical Dental Hygiene 2 2
DHYG 2640 Oral Histology 2
 Semester Hours6
Year 3
Fall
DHYG 3703 Dental Hygiene 3 3
DHYG 3703L Clinical Dental Hygiene 3 3
DHYG 3750 Oral Pathology 2
DHYG 3760 Dental Radiology 3
DHYG 3760L Dental Radiology Lab 1
DHYG 3770 Periodontology 3
AHLT 4805 Health Education for Allied Health 3
 Semester Hours18
Spring
DHYG 3704 Dental Hygiene 4 3
DHYG 3704L Clinical Dental Hygiene 4 3
DHYG 3780 Pharmacology 2
DHYG 3790 Local Anesthesia and Pain Control for Dental Hygienists 2
DHYG 3790L Local Anesthesia and Pain Control Clinic 1
AHLT 4806 Research Methods 3
 Semester Hours14
Year 4
Fall
DHYG 4805 Dental Hygiene 5 3
DHYG 4805L Clinical Dental Hygiene 5 4
DHYG 4830 Dental Materials 1
DHYG 4830L Dental Materials Lab 1
DHYG 4840 Directed Dental Hygiene Research 3
DHYG 4845 Expanded Functions for the Dental Hygienist 3
DHYG 4845L Expanded Functions for the Dental Hygienist Lab 1
 Semester Hours16
Spring
DHYG 4806 Dental Hygiene 6 2
DHYG 4806L Clinical Dental Hygiene 6 4
DHYG 4850 Dental Public Health 3
DHYG 4850L Community Clinicals 1
DHYG 4860 Ethics and Practice Concepts 2
DHYG 4855L Expanded Functions Clinical 2
 Semester Hours14
 Total Semester Hours121-122

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the dental hygiene program are as follows:

  •  The graduates will be competent in resolving professional and ethical issues utilizing effective communication and critical thinking skills.
  • The graduates will be competent in providing patient education programs and community service to diverse populations.
  •  The graduates will be competent in performing clinical skills necessary to achieve and maintain the oral health of their patients.
  •  The graduates will be competent in analyzing current research and in conducting original research.