Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science
Virginia Commonwealth University

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene requires two years of liberal arts study, with a minimum of 60 semester hours, followed by two years of study focusing on basic and dental sciences, dental hygiene science and theory, community health and pre-clinical and clinical experiences. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible for national, regional and state board licensing examinations. Classes enter once each year in the fall semester.

Outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Demonstrate commitment to the legal and ethical practice of dental hygiene, demonstrating integrity, honesty and confidentiality with colleagues, patients and the community Demonstrate competence in interpersonal and communication skills and in the evaluation, synthesis and application of information and technology as resources in contemporary dental hygiene practice Systematically collect, accurately record and analyze data on the general, oral and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients using methods consistent with medico-ethico-legal principles Use critical-thinking and decision-making skills to reach conclusions about the patient’s dental hygiene treatment needs based on an analysis of all available assessment data and evidence from current scientific literature Collaborate with the patient, guardian and/or other health care professionals to formulate an individualized comprehensive dental hygiene care plan based on assessment findings and the dental hygiene diagnosis Provide and implement specialized care that includes educational, preventive and therapeutic services designed to minimize risk and optimize oral health as well as assist the patient in achieving and maintaining oral health goals Evaluate the outcomes of dental hygiene care, which occur throughout the process of care, and modify as necessary Initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities for diverse populations in a variety of settings


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The dental hygiene profession offers a variety of ways in which bright, talented, and concerned individuals can make a difference in health care and become the leaders and educators of the profession dedicated to the prevention and education to patients regarding oral health. Those who are interested in advocating for access to oral care and be a change agent for your patients regarding overall health will make great candidates.
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Admission requirements include two years of liberal arts study with a minimum of 60 semester hours of transferable quality academic course credits. By completing these 60 semester hours, students will complete the general education requirements of the degree. More information concerning the admission requirements for VCU students is located in the undergraduate study section of this Bulletin that describes the pre-health major in dental hygiene. GPA – A minimum GPA of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale in the cumulative courses and a minimum GPA of 2.7 in math/sciences is required. English proficiency – To successfully complete the dental hygiene curriculum, students are required to communicate clearly (in English) with faculty, students, staff and patients. To assure such competence, the Dental Hygiene Program requires any applicant whose native language is not English and who has been educated primarily outside of the United States to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language or International English Language Testing System scores. Applicants are required to submit an official score with the application packet. The test must have been taken within the past two years. The Dental Hygiene Program does not conditionally admit applicants who have not met the requirement for proof of English proficiency. You may be exempt from this requirement if: You have successfully completed 26 or more transferable semester credits at a two- or four-year postsecondary institution in the U.S. and have completed the full freshman English (non-ESL) requirement at that school with a minimum grade of C. or You have successfully completed 60 or more transferable semester credits at a two- or four-year postsecondary institution in the U.S. No student will be considered for admission until proof of English proficiency is determined. TOEFL: VCU’s Dental Hygiene Program minimum TOEFL score requirements are 550 (paper), 213 (computer) or 80 (internet-based). For more information about TOEFL testing, go to www.ets.org. IELTS: VCU’s Dental Hygiene Program minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.0.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Complete 60 credits of coursework equivalent to VCU’s pre-Dental Hygiene coursework by the end of the spring semester prior to the fall you wish to begin the program.

The prerequisites are:

  • English (6-9 credits)
  • General biology with laboratory (3-5 credits)
  • General chemistry with laboratory (3-5 credits)
  • Human anatomy with laboratory (3-5 credits)
  • Human physiology with laboratory (3-5 credits)
  • Microbiology with laboratory (3-5 credits)
  • Humanities (3 credits)
  • Introductory Sociology (3 credits)
  • Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
  • Speech (3 credits)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Visual or performing arts (3 credits)
  • Electives-The remainder of the 60 required credits can be chosen from any of the following areas of study: science, math, computer usage, and humanities. Science electives are strongly recommended.

    • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
    • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Commonwealth University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree The baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene will open avenues beyond clinical dental hygiene such as teaching, public health, advocacy and graduate education.
Program Successes & Highlights B.S.D.H. students will be prepared to sit for their clinical and written boards in the spring of their senior year. Our pass rates for clinical board and written boards are 98-100%. Dental hygienists are in high demand -many students have secured positions prior to graduation.
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science
128
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
BS in Dental Hygiene
BS in Dental Hygiene
128
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
BS in Dental Hygiene
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 90 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education
30
Foundations
12
Writing
9
Complete courses from the following Course list:
AND
A minimum grade of C must be earned for courses in this requirement.
Quantitative
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Areas of Inquiry
18
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Select courses for Areas of Inquiry that cover the three Breadth of Knowledge areas of Humanities/Fine Arts, Natural Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences as defined in the VCU Bulletin. Please consult with an advsior. The course work in the general education curriculum must be divided among the four Areas of Inquiry below, with at least three, and no more than nine, credits from each of the four areas. In fulfilling these requirements, students may apply no more than six credits with the same four-letter prefix (ex. RELS, MGMT) to the 17-18 credit total requirement, regardless of the area of inquiry under which they are listed.
Creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Diversities in the human experience
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Global Perspectives
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Scientific & Logical Reasoning
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
One Additional Natual Science
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Earn 3 credits by completing a course from the following Category lists
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Major Requirements
68
Major Core Requirements
68
Earn 68 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Ancillary Requirements
26
Ancillary Requirements
20
Earn 20 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Humanities
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take one additional 3-credit class from any of the following subjects.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Subject list:
Visual or Performing Arts
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take one additional 3-credit class from any of the following subjects.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Subject list:
Elective Courses
4
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take any courses to reach 128 total credits.
Earn 4 credits by completing any available course
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived.

Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Science or Health Sciences is recommended for this major.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Science or Health Sciences is recommended for this major.
Credit for Prior Learning VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Commonwealth University
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
1902
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
VCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their pre...see moreVCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their previous institution. Some degree programs like Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Engineering have more competitive GPA requirements. Admission to programs in VCU Arts is also based on an evaluation of additional application materials and may be more competitive. Transfer applicants with fewer than 24 earned semester (36 quarter) hours will also be reviewed based on their high school GPA.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C..
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree of Dental HygieneAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene - Partnership Agreement with Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Dental HygieneAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Old Dominion UniversityDental Hygiene-BSDHBachelorBS in Dental Hygiene4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
29-1292.00Dental HygienistsAdminister oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
25-1071.00Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 128 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $6,600 Per Semester $52,800 $0 $52,800 Every credit above 14 credits in a semester is charged at half price ($230 per credit for credits 15 and above; credits 1 -14 are charged the full rate)
Fees
University Fee $1,341 Per Semester $10,728 0 $10,728
Technology Fee $158 Per Semester $1,264 0 $1,264
Library Fee $44 Per Semester $352 0 $352
Student Activity Fee $45 Per Semester $360 0 $360 MCV Campus students pay a flat rate of $18
Academic Support Services Fee $50 Per Semester $400 0 $400
Health Fee $123 Per Semester $984 0 $984
Program Fee $45 Per Semester $360 0 $360
Transition Fee $150 Per Semester $1,200 0 $1,200 New undergraduate transfer students will be charged the Student Transition Fee in their first semester to cover Orientation. The Transition Fee for new First-Year Students is $225 and will be assessed in the first semester.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Potential Additional Fees
    • Additional fees may include on-campus housing, meal plan, parking, technology, and program- and course-specific fees.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.