Dental Hygiene

As is the case for all programs within the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry, the Dental Hygiene Program strives to be a global leader in our field, focusing on evidence-based practice while creating an environment of innovation, dynamism, and diversity.  Similarly, the Program shares the School of Dentistry’s commitment to values that reflect distinguishing features of our program, most notably: 

Mission

THE MISSION OF THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM is to:

• Educate individuals who will be professionally competent to provide quality preventive oral health care in an evolving profession;

• Provide culturally aware, patient-centered, quality care within the context of an efficient clinical model that demonstrates the highest standards of service achievable;

• Provide opportunities for inter-professional and community-based oral health education and health promotion in a variety of settings.

• Apply principles of critical thinking and evidence-based decision making to all aspects of dental hygiene practice.

• Articulate the value of continued competence, lifelong learning and pursuit of advanced degrees.

PURPOSE

Our purpose is to help people lead healthy lives.

We grow and inspire a diverse community of learners through our humanistic culture. Building on a distinguished tradition, we provide exceptional education; offer personalized quality patient care; support collaborative research; and foster commitment to service.

The Study of Dental Hygiene

The dental hygiene course of study is a professional program where students learn to provide preventive clinical care for patients with emphasis on recognition, treatment, and prevention of oral diseases. In addition to performing a variety of preventive and therapeutic functions, the dental hygienist also has a major role in counseling and educating patients, community groups, and other health professionals. The curriculum helps students build the educational, communication, and clinical skills necessary to work in co-therapy with the dental team.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is competitive and based on merit. Students may apply either as a freshman student, doing prerequisite coursework at Pacific, or as a transfer student, completing prerequisites at another institution. After review of the completed application, the Office of Admissions will invite qualified candidates to participate in interviews on campus. In addition to a personal interview, applicants are invited to take part in orientation and financial aid seminars, meet informally with current students, and tour the campus. Admission will be based on the combination of application information and interview.

Please click here to see detailed admissions information.

GPA: Special emphasis is placed on coursework selected, the grades achieved in those courses, and the cumulative grade point average. Students must maintain at least a 2.7 GPA in lower division coursework at Pacific, or transfer students must maintain at least a 2.7 GPA in lower division transfer coursework at a transfer institution to be considered for the professional portion of the program in San Francisco. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program. 

Grades: The student must maintain a C or higher in all science courses to be considered for the professional portion of the program. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program.

SAT or ACT Exams: The Admissions Committee reviews the results of the student’s SAT or ACT scores only for freshman admission.

Essay: An essay may be required of University applicants.

Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required. They may be from a faculty member, counselor or advisor or from health care or job related professionals.

Job Shadowing: Job shadowing of a registered dental hygienist for (20 hours) is expected so that the applicant is familiar with the role of the practicing dental hygienist.

Extracurricular Activities: Other factors considered (but not required) in selecting the class include community service and involvement and volunteer activities.

Transfer Student Application:

The transfer application deadline for entry into the program is August 15 for the following spring semester. Applicants are notified by December 1.  SAT or ACT exam scores are NOT required.

Sixty-four units of lower division college courses that are Pacific transferable and include the prerequisites or equivalents listed under the General Education Curriculum for Transfer Students on the Major tab are required.

For applicants with a baccalaureate degree, the GE course requirement is waived.

Health Requirements:

Prior to entry into the professional portion of the program (final 4 semesters), health requirements must be met and documentation submitted to the University’s Cowell Wellness Center as follows:

• Medical Examination: Following acceptance for admission, students submit the University’s “Entrance History and Physical,” form signed by a physician which confirms that a medical examination was completed within 3 months of the date of matriculation into the professional portion of the Dental Hygiene program. Current Pacific students who submitted a physical exam form upon matriculation, do not require another physical. 
• Measles, Rubella (German Measles), and Mumps: Students provide documentation of presence of positive titres. Documented vaccination with two dose series MMR given one month apart with live attenuated measles and rubella virus is adequate. A history of measles and rubella as childhood diseases is not sufficient.
• Tuberculosis: ALL Students must submit the report of a two-step PPD tuberculosis skin test done within 3 months of entering professional program. With a history of tuberculosis OR a positive skin test, students submit the physician’s report of a chest X-ray taken within the year prior to matriculation. Chest X-rays may be required at intervals, and suppressive medication may be recommended.
• Hepatitis B: Every student is required to submit documented proof of presence of antibodies to the Hepatitis B virus or to complete the Hepatitis B three-dose vaccination series and Hepatitis B antigen test at least one month after completion of series. It is recommended that this be done prior to matriculation; in all cases, however, it must be done before a student is allowed to treat patients which occurs in the first month of the program. If a student does not have documented proof of having antibodies to this virus, the vaccination series is available at the school for a fee.
• Tetanus Diphtheria (Tdap)Vaccination is required within past 10 years.
• Varivax (Chicken Pox) Students provide documentation of 2 dose vaccination series or presence of titer if history of having chicken pox.
• Influenza vaccine is required each year of enrollment

Inquiries about health requirements and supporting documentation are handled through the University’s Cowell Wellness Center (209) 946-2315.

Program Description

The bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene is a professional program presented in an accelerated year-round format of eight semesters including summer sessions. Students accepted into the program as freshmen complete all sessions with the University. Transfer level program entrants, with prerequisites fulfilled, complete the final four semesters of professional coursework only.

Program applicants must complete prerequisite general education courses either at Pacific or another institution to provide a strong science background, and a broad base in the humanities.  The prerequisites are designed to strengthen dental hygiene science and clinical practice. Students undertake this portion of their course work, in the College of the Pacific, with the general undergraduate student population on the main campus. Students must maintain at least a 2.7 GPA in lower division coursework at Pacific, or transfer students must maintain at least a 2.7 GPA in lower division transfer coursework at a transfer institution to be considered for the professional portion of the program in San Francisco. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program.

The professional portion of the program is a highly structured four consecutive semesters of upper division coursework that includes both didactic and clinical experience. This portion of the program is presented by the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene Program on the San Francisco campus. Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout the professional portion of the program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) to meet the requirements for graduation. 

Academic Standing

Grades

Grades represent passing or failing performance. Grades of A, B, C, and D represent passing performance, and the grade of F represents failure. Grades of A, excellent; B, good; and C, acceptable, represent unconditional passing performance; the grade D indicates conditional passing performance. D grades require additional work supervised by faculty that may include additional instruction or evaluation before advancement to clinical practice or eligibility for board examinations. Conditions placed on D grades must be specified in writing and provided to the Dental Hygiene Program Director when grades are submitted. If stated conditions are not met, the student may be required to repeat the course. A failing grade of F must be repeated. On repeat of the course, the new final grade will be reported. Course directors are required to provide a grade for every enrolled student at the end of each semester of instruction.

I (Incomplete)

An incomplete grade (I) is given temporarily when a student is progressing satisfactorily but the course director has insufficient information because the student has not completed all assigned coursework for reasons beyond the student's control. The course director determines the conditions under which and the date by which the deficiency that caused the Incomplete must be removed. If no completion date is stipulated, by default the end date of the subsequent term is the completion date. Failure to comply with stated conditions by the stipulated date will result in the Incomplete reverting to the grade F, failure. This information is in accordance with both the university and the dental school policies. 

Grade Point Average

In computing a grade point average (GPA) numerical values are: A, 4 points; B, 3 points; C, 2 points; D, one point; and F, zero points. The dental hygiene program does not award "+" or "-" modifications to grades. 

Change of Grades

Final passing grades (A, B, C, D) are not subject to change on the basis of second examination or additional work completed after grades are submitted. Passing grades may be changed to correct an error in computation or in transcribing a report or where some part of a student's work has been overlooked following award of the final grade. Course directors must also notify the Dental Hygiene Program Director in writing of conditions and assignments for removing incompletes.

Academic Good Standing

Academic good standing requires a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 and no permanent F grades or conditional D grades.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is accorded to a student upon receipt of a GPA below 2.0 for all courses attempted or to a student with a permanent F or conditional D grade. Normally, the standard for academic good standing must be met within one term of being placed on academic probation. In circumstances where this time constraint cannot be met, a reasonable time period will be specified. 

An Academic Probation Contract is delivered when:

• The GPA is below 2.0, or
• For any permanent F or conditional D grade.
• Examples of contract conditions include: 
  • Required meetings with faculty member or advisor
  • Tutors
  • Assignment to scheduled supplemental courses
  • Meetings with therapist or other health care provider as warranted
• No student on contract is eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). 

Academic Disqualification

Academic disqualification may be recommended to the Dean by the Student Academic Performance and Promotions Committee (SAPPC) for a student who has failed to meet any of the conditions of their contract or any grade of F. A dental hygiene student may be considered for dismissal and/or repeat at the end of the semester if they receive a grade of F or if they were on contract and fail to reach good academic standing. Any action regarding dismissal or repeat takes the form of a recommendation to the SAPPC, which in turn makes a recommendation to the Dean.

When a student's academic record meets published criteria for academic disqualification, the committee will provide an opportunity for the student to appear before the committee to ensure that all pertinent information has been considered. A faculty advocate will be assigned to the student to help prepare a statement to the committee. Dental hygiene students have the right of appeal to the dental school Appeals Committee, although the composition of that committee could be modified at the discretion of its chair in the case of an appeal from the dental hygiene program. 

If, in the judgement of the committee, the student has the capacity and commitment to overcome his or her documented academic deficiencies and reach an acceptable level of patient care, the committee may recommend: 

• Continuation on academic contract,
• Extension of the program,
• Reenrollment in the subsequent class, or
• Reenrollment only through the normal admission process, as appropriate to the student's educational needs.

Promotion

Students who are in academic good standing automatically are recommended for promotion by the Student Academic Performance and Promotions Committee. The committee may recommend that a student who is not in academic good standing be promoted on academic probation with conditions of the probation clearly outlined.

Repeat

When a student repeats an academic year, a grade will be awarded for completion of each course in that year. A student must audit a course for which a passing grade was previously assigned. A written agreement or plan will be filed in the Dental School Office of Academic Affairs and students are responsible for meeting all requirements of repeated courses to the standards in place for the repeated course.

Withdrawal

A student who wishes to withdraw or take a leave of absence from school must file a written request in the Dental School Office of Academic Affairs, the San Francisco Registrar's Office and meet with the Dental Hygiene Program Director. The professional leave of absence policy in the catalog applies to Dental Hygiene students.

Graduation

In addition to all other graduation requirements, the candidate must demonstrate competence in the discharge of duties required of a dental hygiene practitioner. In addition to the skills, understanding and values expected of a beginning dental hygienist, meeting graduation requirements shall include:

1. Evidence of moral character compatible with the public interest and with the practice of the healing arts.
2. Discharge of all financial obligations to the community and the school. 
3. Completion of all technical and clinical requirements prescribed in the curriculum.
4. Academic good standing. 
5. Conformance with policies of the school. 
6. A passing score on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). 

If, in the opinion of the Student Academic Performance and Promotion Committee, the candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree has met all requirements, it is authorized to recommend to the Dean the graduation and conferral of the degree. The committee may also recommend delay in the individual's graduation date with conditions necessary to bring the student to a competent level.

Student Partners

A large part of dental hygiene education relies upon students practicing new skills first on typodonts, then on student partners prior to delivering patient care. Learning of this nature will take place in Pre-clinic, Pain Management, and any other course where the faculty deems it necessary. All dental hygiene students are expected to participate as patients for their classmates unless there is a documented medical reason for them not to do so. Any waiver of sitting as a patient must be approved by the Program Director and must be accompanied by signed forms from the students' MD.

Policy on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

The school grants otherwise qualified students, residents, and applicants all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the grounds listed in the Policy Prohibiting Unlawful Discrimination in the administration of its educational programs, admissions, scholarships and loans, or other school activities.

The school will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities when the individual so presents a request in accordance with this policy and the individual is qualified to safely and effectively perform all essential functions of the position unless there is undue hardship in doing so. Reasonable accommodations do not include a modification of the fundamental requirements and elements of the program (e.g., behavior and conduct standards, attendance and grading policies, academic and patient-care standards, etc.).

If the individual student, resident, or applicant is otherwise qualified, in response to a request for accommodation, the school will offer to make an accommodation if the accommodation is reasonable, effective, does not alter a fundamental aspect of the program, will not otherwise impose an undue hardship on the school, and/or there are no equivalent alternatives. If appropriate, the school may choose to consult with such individuals, internal or external to the school, to provide further assistance needed to evaluate the request for accommodation.

For purposes of reasonable accommodation, a student, resident, or applicant with a disability is a person who: (a) has a physical or mental impairment which limits one or more major life activities (such as walking, seeing, speaking, learning, or working); or (b) has a record with the school by which the school has officially recognized such impairment. To be eligible to continue at the school, the student, resident, or applicant must meet the qualifications and requirements expected generally of its students, and must also be able to perform the requirements of the individual major or program in which s/he is enrolled, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Note: in the event that a request for reasonable accommodation is denied, the school may occasionally choose to afford the student some temporary measure or flexibility, which is not based on the asserted disability issue, but which otherwise is considered appropriate, if it does not alter a fundamental element of the program and is not viewed by the School as inequitable toward other students. In such few cases, such temporary measure or flexibility will not be a precedent, nor will be a reasonable accommodation, and the student thereby will not be regarded as an individual with a disability.

Procedure for Seeking Accommodations

A student or applicant who requires an accommodation aid or assistance ("accommodations"), whether for academic or other uses, and who believes s/he is qualified under the school's policy, should contact the Director of Academic Affairs, who serves as coordinator of disability accommodations and services. Individuals who may apply for admission are also encouraged to contact this office to request general information. 

Faculty and staff members who receive student-initiated inquiries or requests regarding accommodations should promptly refer those students to the Director of Academic Affairs. Accommodation determinations should not be made without consultation and written determination of the Director.

Students who seek academic accommodations are expected to contact the Director of Academic Affairs well in advance of the commencement of the activity course(s), and to provide all requested supporting information at least three weeks in advance of the requested implementation date. 

Dental Hygiene Licensure

Students must maintain at least a 2.7 GPA in lower division coursework at Pacific, or transfer students must maintain at least a 2.7 GPA in lower division transfer coursework at a transfer institution to be considered for the professional portion of the program in San Francisco. The student must also have a C or higher in all science courses to be considered for the professional portion of the program. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program. Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout the professional portion of the program and pass the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination to meet the requirements for graduation. Completion of the program enables graduates to take regional or state licensure examinations. For California examination information contact:

Dental Hygiene Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2050
Sacramento, CA 95815
https://www.dhbc.ca.gov/
(916) 263-1978

Degree Requirements

General Education Curriculum for Non-Transfer Students

Minimum 64 units that include:

CORE 001	Problem Solving & Oral Comm	3
CORE 002	Writing and Critical Thinking	4
General Education: Artistic Proc & Creation		4
General Education: General Education Worldviews & Ethics or Artistic Proc & Creation		4
Electives		4
BIOL 061	Principles of Biology	5
BIOL 145	Microbiology	5
BIOL 170	Human Anatomy	5
BIOL 180	Human Physiology	5
CHEM 025	General Chemistry	5
CHEM 027	General Chemistry	5
COMM 027	Public Speaking	3
MATH 035	Elementary Statistical Inference	3-4
or MATH 037	Introduction to Statistics and Probability
PSYC 031	Introduction to Psychology	4
SOCI 051	Introduction to Sociology	4

General Education Curriculum for Transfer Students

Minimum 64 units that include:

General Education: Artistic Process & Creation		4
General Education: World Perspectives & Ethics or Artistic Process & Creation		4
Written Communication and Critical Thinking		4
Electives		8
BIOL 061	Principles of Biology	5
BIOL 145	Microbiology	5
BIOL 170	Human Anatomy	5
BIOL 180	Human Physiology	5
CHEM 025	General Chemistry	5
CHEM 027	General Chemistry	5
COMM 027	Public Speaking	3
MATH 035	Elementary Statistical Inference	3
SOCI 041	Social Problems	4
PSYC 031	Introduction to Psychology	4

Dental Hygiene Curriculum

DHYG 110	Oral Health Education	1
DHYG 111	Head and Neck Anatomy	2
DHYG 112	Dental Anatomy	2
DHYG 113	Oral Radiology Lecture	1
DHYG 114	Oral Histology and Embryology	2
DHYG 115	Dental Hygiene Practice	3
DHYG 116	Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene	3
DHYG 118	Oral Radiology Lab	1
DHYG 120	Periodontics I	2
DHYG 121	Pharmacology	3
DHYG 122	Pathology	3
DHYG 123	Medical and Dental Emergencies I	1
DHYG 124	Local Anesthesia/Pain Management	2
DHYG 125	Dental Hygiene Clinic I	2
DHYG 126	Dental Hygiene Clinic I	5
DHYG 130	Periodontics II	2
DHYG 131	Community Oral Health and Research	4
DHYG 132	Patient Management/Special Needs	2
DHYG 133	Medical and Dental Emergencies II	1
DHYG 135	Dental Hygiene Clinic II	2
DHYG 136	Dental Hygiene Clinic II	7
DHYG 141	Dental Materials	2
DHYG 142	Ethics and Jurisprudence	2
DHYG 143	Biochemistry and Nutrition	2
DHYG 144	Senior Project	3
DHYG 145	Dental Hygiene Practice III	2
DHYG 146	Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice III	7
Total Hours		69

Course Descriptions

The program and its graduates will be distinguished by the following attributes:

• Continuous enhancement through professional development 
• Humanistic values that respect the dignity of each individual and foster the potential for growth in all of us
• Application of theory and data for continuous improvement 
• Leadership in addressing the challenges facing the profession of dental hygiene, education and our communities

Core Competencies (C)

C.1 Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors. 
C.2 Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of oral health care. 
C.3 Use critical thinking skills and comprehensive problem-solving to identify oral health care strategies that promote patient health and wellness. 
C.4 Use evidence-based decision making to evaluate emerging technology and treatment modalities to integrate into patient dental hygiene care plans to achieve high-quality, cost-effective care. 
C.5 Assume responsibility for professional actions and care based on accepted scientific theories, research, and the accepted standard of care. 
C.6 Continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth. 
C.7 Integrate accepted scientific theories and research into educational, preventive, and therapeutic oral health services. 
C.8 Promote the values of the dental hygiene profession through service-based activities, positive community affiliations, and active involvement in local organizations. 
C.9 Apply quality assurance mechanisms to ensure continuous commitment to accepted standards of care. 
C.10 Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, serving all persons without discrimination by acknowledging and appreciating diversity. 
C.11 Record accurate, consistent, and complete documentation of oral health services provided. 
C.12 Initiate a collaborative approach with all patients when developing individualized care plans that are specialized, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and acceptable to all parties involved in care planning. 
C.13 Initiate consultations and collaborations with all relevant health care providers to facilitate optimal treatments. 
C.14 Manage medical emergencies by using professional judgment, providing life support, and utilizing required CPR and any specialized training or knowledge.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HP)

HP.1 Promote positive values of overall health and wellness to the public and organizations within and outside the profession. 
HP.2 Respect the goals, values, beliefs, and preferences of all patients. 
HP.3 Refer patients who may have physiological, psychological, or social problems for comprehensive evaluation. 
HP.4 Identify individual and population risk factors, and develop strategies that promote health-related quality of life. 
HP.5 Evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention or health maintenance strategies. 
HP.6 Utilize methods that ensure the health and safety of the patient and the oral health professional in the delivery of care.

Community Involvement (CM)

CM.1 Assess the oral health needs and services of the community to determine action plans and availability of resources to meet the health care needs. 
CM.2 Provide screening, referral, and educational services that allow patients to access the re¬sources of the health care system. 
CM.3 Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings. 
CM.4 Facilitate patient access to oral health services by influencing individuals or organizations for the provision of oral health care. 
CM.5 Evaluate reimbursement mechanisms and their impact on the patient’s access to oral health care. 
CM.6 Evaluate the outcomes of community-based programs, and plan for future activities. 
CM.7 Advocate for effective oral health care for underserved populations.

Patient Care (PC)

Assessment
PC.1 Systematically collect, analyze, and record diagnostic data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients using methods consistent with medicolegal principles. 
PC.2 Recognize predisposing and etiologic risk factors that require intervention to prevent disease. 
PC.3 Recognize the relationships among systemic disease, medications, and oral health that impact overall patient care and treatment outcomes. 
PC.4 Identify patients at risk for a medical emergency, and manage the patient care in a manner that prevents an emergency. 
Dental Hygiene 
Diagnosis 
PC.5 Use patient assessment data, diagnostic technologies, and critical decision making skills to determine a dental hygiene diagnosis, a component of the dental diagnosis, to reach conclusions about the patient’s dental hygiene care needs. 
Planning 
PC.6 Utilize reflective judgment in developing a comprehensive patient dental hygiene care plan. 
PC.7 Collaborate with the patient and other health professionals as indicated to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient-centered and based on the best scientific evidence and professional judgment. 
PC.8 Make referrals to professional colleagues and other health care professionals as indicated in the patient care plan. 
PC.9 Obtain the patient’s informed consent based on a thorough case presentation. 
Implementation 
PC.10 Provide specialized treatment that includes educational, preventive, and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health. Partner with the patient in achieving oral health goals. 
Evaluation 
PC.11 Evaluate the effectiveness of the provided services, and modify care plans as needed. 
PC.12 Determine the outcomes of dental hygiene interventions using indices, instruments, examination techniques, and patient self-reports as specified in patient goals. 
PC.13 Compare actual outcomes to expected outcomes, reevaluating goals, diagnoses, and services when expected outcomes are not achieved.

Professional Growth and Development (PGD)

PGD.1 Pursue career opportunities within health care, industry, education, research, and other roles as they evolve for the dental hygienist. 
PGD.2 Develop practice management and marketing strategies to be used in the delivery of oral health care. 
PGD.3 Access professional and social opportunities to foster career growth and development.