Pictured | Hannah Collingsworth | Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene | Garrett, Indiana (hometown)
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
The IU South Bend campus offers two types of degrees for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene:
- The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene entry level, which is designed for those preparing to enter the profession
- The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene completion degree, which is designed for licensed hygenists who are already graduates of an accredited Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program and wish to continue their education
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Entry Level
The Dental Hygiene curriculum, which is accredited by the American Dental Association, leads to the Bachelor of Science degree, and consists of a total of four years of study; one year of prerequisite courses followed by three years of integrated general education and professional studies. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for licensure to practice this preventive specialty of dentistry. Students can schedule an appointment with an advisor through the Student Appointment Scheduler (SA) in One.IU.
Academic Advising
We believe that a student’s individual college journey is through enriching experiences, new perspectives, greater life skills, self-respect, and appreciation and respect of others. A successful journey is collaborative between the student, faculty, and academic advisors by engaging the student in cultivating grit and a growth mindset, striking a healthy balance between academic effort and other areas of life, and empowering the student toward their next meaningful steps in life. This is measured through evidence of a student’s increase of their self-awareness, self-advocacy and ability to formulate and articulate well thought out decisions.
Students with a declared major are advised in their academic units. To determine who your advisor is and how to contact them, see One.IU.
Degree Requirements (120 cr.)
Degree Map >>
Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene must complete 120 total credit hours including:
- IU South Bend Campuswide General Education Curriculum (33 cr.)
- Biomedical Sciences Requirements (12 cr.)
- Social Sciences Requirements (3 cr.)
- Major concentration requirements (72 cr.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours at the 300- or 400-level
- Courses required for the degree must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
- Some Major requirements may satisfy the 33 credit hours of General Education required for all degrees awarded at IU South Bend.
- A minimum CGPA of 2.0 is required.
- All courses are 3 credits, unless otherwise noted.
Major Requirements (72 cr.)
- DHYG-H 205 Medical and Dental Emergencies (1 cr.)
- DHYG-H 206 General Pathology I (2 cr.)
- DHYG-H 211 Head and Neck Anatomy
- DHYG-H 214 Oral Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology
- DHYG-H 215 Pharmacology/Therapeutics—First Year (2 cr.)
- DHYG-H 217 Preventive Dentistry
- DHYG-H 218 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene (4 cr.)
- DHYG-H 219 Clinical Practice 1
- DHYG-H 221 Clinical Dental Hygiene Procedures
- DHYG-H 250 Local Anesthesia and Pain Control
- DHYG-H 301 Clinical Practice 2 (4 cr.)
- DHYG-H 302 Clinical Practice 3 (4 cr.)
- DHYG-H 303 Radiology
- DHYG-H 304 Oral Pathology—2nd Year (2 cr.)
- DHYG-H 308 Dental Materials (1 cr.)
- DHYG-H 312 Radiology Lecture—II (1 cr.)
- DHYG-H 320 Practice Management, Ethics, and Jurisprudence (1 cr.)
- DHYG-H 321 Periodontics
- DHYG-H 333 Management of the Special Needs Patient
- DHYG-H 400 Evidence-Based Decision Making
- DHYG-H 403 Advanced Community Dental Hygiene (2 cr.)
- DHYG-H 420 Advanced Clinical Procedures (4 cr.)
- DHYG-H 444 Bachelor Degree Capstone Course (1 cr.)
- DHYG-H 477 Community Assessment and Program Planning
- DHYG-H 478 Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs
- DHYG-H 497 Topics in Dental Hygiene (1 cr.)
- HPER-N 220 Nutrition for Health
- HSC-H 101 Introduction to Health Sciences
- HSC-H 434 Diversity and Cultural Competence
- HSC-W 314 Ethics and Health Professionals
- SOC-S 161 Principles of Sociology