Allied Dental Programs
Dental Hygiene - Indianapolis
Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene Student Institutional Competencies
The Indianapolis-based Bachelor of Science degree program in dental hygiene is two and one half academic years in length and is composed of a core curriculum of 27 courses presented over four semesters and one summer session. In addition, a specialized track 6 courses over one semester and one summer session. All courses are mandatory.
The curriculum supports attainment of the following list of institutionally defined competencies expected of a dental hygienist entering the profession. The graduate will be prepared to:
- Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors;
- Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, regulations, and safety practices in the provision of dental hygiene care;
- Provide dental hygiene care to promote patient/client health and wellness using critical thinking and problem-solving in the provision of evidence-based practice;
- Assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care;
- Continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth;
- Advance the profession through service activities and affiliations with professional organizations;
- Provide quality assurance mechanisms for health services;
- Communicate effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations both orally and in writing;
- Provide accurate, consistent, and complete documentation for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of dental hygiene services;
- Provide care to all clients using an individualized approach that is humane, empathetic, and caring;
- Provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote optimal oral health;
- Initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion, health education, and disease prevention activities for diverse populations;
- Systematically collect, analyze, and record data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients/clients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles;
- Use critical decision-making skills to reach conclusions about the patients’/clients’ dental hygiene needs based on all available assessment data;
- Collaborate with the patient/client and/or other health professionals to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient/client-centered and based on current scientific evidence;
- Provide specialized treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health; and
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented clinical, preventive, and educational services and modify as needed.
While every attempt is made to provide accurate and current information in this bulletin, Indiana University reserves the right to change without notice statements in the bulletin series concerning rules, policies, fees, curricula, courses, or other matters.