The Division of Biological and Physical Sciences offers all the prerequisite courses needed for admission to dental hygiene programs. Listed below are some of the questions students often ask about preparation for dental hygiene. The answers to these questions are based primarily on admission requirements for the dental hygiene program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, but most of these questions apply equally well to other bachelor's level dental hygiene programs. For more detailed information on the proram at UMMC, visit the School of Health Realated Professions.
This FAQ is currently quite brief, but new questions are added regularly. If your question is not answered here, please contact Dr. Tiftickjian, the pre-dental hygiene advisor, by email or in person. New questions will be answered and added to this FAQ.
For more informaiton, see the suggested curriculum for pre-dental hygiene.
Admission requirements
What is a dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists are licensed oral health care professionals who provide services that limit the extent of dental disease and promote the overall health and well-being of the oral environment. Dental hygienists assess oral health using diagnostic aids including health histories, oral examinations, and radiographs. They also provide oral health education and perform preventive (fluorides, sealants) and therapeutic services. Baccalaureate graduates are employed as clinical practitioners, educators, researchers, administrators, managers, preventive program developers, consultants, and in public health agencies.
What is the difference between a dental hygienist and a dental assistant?
A dental hygienist must be licensed and registered by the state. Dental hygienists have a minimum of two years post high school education and must pass national and state licensing exams. A dental assistant needs no formal training and assists the dentist under his/her direct supervision.
How long does it take to be trained as a dental hygienist?
Dental hygiene at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is a 2+2 program. This means that you need 2 years of basic college prerequisite courses to meet the admission requirements. Once admitted to the dental hygiene program at UMMC, it takes 2 additional years to complete the program. Other bachelor's level programs outside of Mississippi are similar.
When does the dental hygiene program begin at UMMC?
August. (Prior to 2011, the program began each May, but this has changed.) Check the website for the latest information.
What is the application due date for UMMC?
Applications become available during July of the previous year, but the application deadline can vary from year to year. As of 2012, the deadline is January 15th. Check the website for the current deadline.
I am not a Mississippi resident, but I am planning to apply to UMMC. What are my chances of being admitted?
Preference is given to applicants who are legal residents of Mississippi. Out of state applicants will be considered only if there are positions available after all qualified Mississippi applicants are accepted. (Basically, this means that only Mississippi residents will be admitted.)
How competitive is admission to dental hygiene programs?
All health profession programs are very competitive. More qualified students apply each year than can be accepted into the program. To give yourself a good chance of getting accepted, you need to work hard to maintain a high GPA starting from your first semester of college work.
What factors are used to decide who is accepted?
Most important are GPA in prerequisite courses, related work or volunteer experience, ACT scores, interview scores, and a hands-on dexterity exercise given at the time of the interview.
What is the minimum GPA needed?
It varies from school to school. As examples: UMMC states a minimum GPA of 2.5. However, keep in mind that the average GPA of those that are accepted is significantly higher. So to be competitive, you must have a GPA of at least 3.0, and usually, significantly higher.
What are the prerequisite courses needed for admission to dental hygiene at UMMC?
English composition, 2 courses
Speech, 1 course
Humanities, 2 courses
Fine arts, 1 course
General psychology, 1 course
Introductory sociology, 1 course
College algebra, 1 course
General biology, 1 course
General chemistry, 2 courses
Microbiology, 1 course
Anatomy and physiology, 2 courses
Nutrition, 1 course
Abnormal, adolescent, or developmental psychology, 1 course
57 hours minimum (courses listed above total 59 hours at DSU)
Study the other questions in this FAQ, and talk to your advisor for more details on each of these prerequisites. Be sure to download the detailed curriculum list for this program from the DSU sciences website.
How much observation/volunteer experience do I need?
UMMC requires a minimum of 8 hours of documented observation time with two licensed dental hygienists in two separate clinical environments. Additional observation or volunteer experience is beneficial.
Is an admission exam required?
There is not a specific dental hygiene admission exam, but applicants must submit an ACT score with there application.
Is an interview required?
Yes. Applicants with strong enough credentials will be selected for interviews. Of those that interview, the most qualified will be accepted for admission.
Who gets interviewed and when?
Students who meet the minimal requirements and have a complete application form will be interviewed. Interviews are typically held in early February.
If I get an interview at UMMC, does that mean I am accepted?
No. However, it does mean that you are being considered among the top applicants. Be sure to prepare well for the interview because it can be the deciding factor the determines who will be accepted for admission.
Prerequisite courses
Are minimum grades required in prerequisite courses?
Yes. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Can non-majors science courses count toward the prerequisites?
No. Courses such as BIO 110, CHE 110, PHY 110, and PHY 205 will not count toward the prerequisites. These courses are designed for non-science majors and are not acceptable.
Can I take courses at a community or junior college?
Yes, all prerequisite courses are at the 100-200 level, which are offered at 2-year colleges. Keep in mind, however, that once you start your science coursework at DSU, you should take all required sciences at DSU. This is because courses are structured as part of an overall curriculum. Taking a "mix and match" approach can present problems, and professional schools may question why you did not take all prerequisites at the same institution. Once you are enrolled at Delta State, it is a mistake to take some courses at a community college just because you think they may be "easier."
Is a bachelor's degree required for admission?
No. Applicants with a degree, however, are certainly encouraged to apply.
When should I take the science perquisites?
You must have completed at least 16 hours of the required science courses prior to the application deadline (typically January 15th). If you follow our recommended program of study, you will complete general biology and general chemistry in your first year, and one semester of anatomy and physiology in the first semester of your second year. This gives you at least 18 hours of science before the January deadline. If you also take microbiology in the first semester of your second year, you will have 22 hours of science before the deadline. This is a good plan because all but one science course (A and P II) will be completed before the deadline. Because admission depends on successful completion of science courses, following this schedule improves your application.
Must I complete all the prerequisite courses before the application deadline?
No. However, you must plan to have all courses completed by the start date of the program.
Which courses count as humanities?
You may choose from history, literature, languages, philosophy, or religion.
Which courses count as fine arts?
You may choose from art, music, or theater.
Does it matter whether my science courses have a laboratory?
Yes, all required science courses must have a lab component.
Can science courses be taken online?
No. All science courses must be regular on-campus courses including a traditional classroom laboratory section.
I had to retake a prerequisite course because I made a D the first time. Will this hurt my chances?
It will be a disadvantage, although it won't eliminate you from consideration if the majority of your science grades, especially the most recent ones, are excellent. All grades are used to compute your GPA. Repeated course grades are averaged, not dropped, so retaking a course does not improve your overall GPA as much as you might think. Of course, if you have a grade below a C in a required prerequisite course, that course must be repeated.
The dental hygiene program
What is involved in the dental hygiene program at UMMC?
It is a two-year upper division program which prepares graduates to become registered dental hygienists. During the first year, you will study basic and dental sciences and dental hygiene theory and techniques. The second year emphasizes clinical experience and application of dental hygiene procedures.
Can I attend dental hygiene school part-time?
No (at least for most schools). Dental hygiene programs are generally full-time only.
Will I be able to work while attending dental hygiene school?
The best answer is: No. Like other health professional programs, dental hygiene is a very demanding. Most students find it difficult to work while pursuing this program. Experience points to a high correlation between working and difficulty in progressing through the program.
Are there any 2-year dental hygiene (associate degree) programs nearby?
There are several 2-year dental hygiene programs provided by Mississippi community colleges. These programs lead to associate degrees, after which you take the licensing exams. Examples of community colleges that offer these programs are: Mississippi Delta Community College, Pearl River Community College, Meridian Community College, and Northeast Mississippi Community College.
How does a hygienist with an associate degree differ from one with a bachelor's degree?
Dental hygiene education at both degree levels result in a candidate prepared to apply for licensure. Dental hygienists with associate degrees are employed as clinical dental hygienists; a hygienist with a bachelor's degree has a wider variety of employment opportunities. It addition to clinical dental hygiene, baccalaureate-educated hygienists often find careers in research, marketing, education, public health positions, patient advocates, and various entrepreneurial opportunities.
Where can I find more information?
The best place to start is the School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) website at: http://shrp.umc.edu/DH. SHRP also offers programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical laboratory sciences, radiologic sciences, and others. You might want to investigate those programs as well.
Delta State University > DSU Sciences > Faculty > Dr. Tiftickjian > Dental Hygiene FAQ