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The Dental Hygiene Program distinguishes itself by masterfully preparing oral health professionals, both intellectually and practically, for a broad and robust career in dental hygiene. 

This dynamic four (4)-year program begins with the students becoming fully engaged during their first four (4) semesters in the building of a foundation of knowledge in the sciences and liberal studies, while simultaneously being introduced to interrelated disciplines within the health professions. The students begin their academic experience on the Biddeford campus, which will provide them with the opportunity to enjoy full participation in clubs, seminars, sports, and intercollegiate activities.

The last four (4) semesters are delivered on the Portland campus where students are immersed in both the study of dental hygiene theory and professional clinical practice. Dental hygiene students will have the opportunity to engage in interprofessional educational experiences with students and faculty in undergraduate and graduate-level health professions programs within the University setting. The Dental Hygiene baccalaureate program is designed to provide the student with expanded professional opportunities, therefore, skill development in the areas of critical thinking, ethical decision-making and leadership are enhanced.

The Dental Hygiene program faculty welcomes the opportunity to educate future oral hygienists in both the traditional and newly evolving skills required for entry into the profession.

A student in the Dental Hygiene major may elect to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Health Sciences. This degree is only open to matriculated students at the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥. Special permission from the student’s advisor and the Dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions is required for enrollment in the B.S. with a major in Health Sciences.

Progression Guidelines

Dental Hygiene follows the WCHP Common Curriculum Academic Progression Guidelines.

Requirements laid out below for the first two (2) years of enrollment apply to any undergraduate program in the Westbrook College of Health Professions. Beginning with the Fall semester of the third year, students will be held to their program-specific progression guidelines.

In keeping with the guidelines of the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥, all students must achieve a minimum cumulative semester-end grade point average as follows:

• Failure to maintain the minimum GPA requirements will result in academic probation as described in the Catalog of the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥.
• Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all required math and science including the following courses: MAT 120/150, CHE 130, BIO 104/105, BIO 208, BIO 209, BIO 242, BIO 309, and NUTR 220. Failure to achieve a C will result in program-level probation.
• Students must achieve a minimum grade of a C in all Dental Hygiene prefix courses.
• Failure to achieve the above-referenced minimum grades will result in program-level probation and the need to retake the course — therefore affecting academic progression.
• Students may enroll in any of the courses referenced above a maximum of two (2) times. Enrollment in a course consists of achieving a letter grade. Receiving a W in a course is not considered officially enrolled and will not result in academic penalty.
• Failure to achieve the above-referenced minimum grade a second time a course is taken or failing two (2) separate science, math or dental hygiene courses in a single semester will result in dismissal from the major.

See Technical Standards (PDF)

The Dental Hygiene Program offers students the opportunity to:

• Provide the public with compassionate and competent dental hygiene care founded on evidence-based scientific knowledge, as an essential component of comprehensive interprofessional health care and community-based health care.
• Demonstrate effective decision-making skills through the use of the critical thinking process.
• Explore the complexities of ethical decision-making as it relates to professional expectations and social responsibility for diversity and inclusion.
• Commit to advocacy leadership, scholarship, and life-long learning to respond to an ever-changing healthcare environment and growing profession.
• Utilize oral healthcare technology (Health Informatics) to enhance patient care and communication abilities for the professional and practical arenas.
• Successfully gain access to dental hygiene licensure in the state of choice by completing the national and regional board examinations.

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years.

Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions Requirements

• A high school diploma or the equivalent with a better-than-average achievement record in a college preparatory program including chemistry (must include laboratory); biology (must include laboratory); mathematics (two (2) mathematics courses — algebra required, geometry preferred); English (three (3) years required - four (4) years preferred).
• Academic transcripts must reflect an overall high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, in addition to a GPA of 3.0 in all science and math courses. College GPA will be considered only if the applicant has completed at least fifteen (15) semester hours. Transfer students should have an overall college grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a 3.0 in math and science.
• Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores are optional but highly recommended.
• A health record must be submitted which indicates specific findings regarding the applicant's complete physical exam.
• Complete the Application.

Students applying for undergraduate admissions will be required to submit:

• A completed application.
• An official secondary school transcript.
• Forty dollar ($40) application fee.

Students are also highly recommended to submit the following:

• The SAT or ACT scores (optional, see below).
• Extracurricular involvement.
• The essay or personal statement.
• Two (2) Recommendations.
• Qualified students with equivalency certificates are also considered for admissions.

The ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ supports efforts of secondary school officials and governing bodies to have their schools achieve regional accredited status in order to provide reliable assurance of the quality of the educational preparation of applicants for admission.

Learn more about the test-optional policy

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.