Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

The dental hygiene program will: Educate individuals who, upon completion of the program, will be professionally competent to provide quality dental hygiene care in an evolving profession Provide patient-centered, quality care in an efficient clinical model that demonstrates the highest standards of service achievable Provide opportunities for community-based, experiential learning 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 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. 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. The student must maintain a 2.7 GPA or better in lower division coursework to be considered for the professional portion 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 Stockton campus until January 2017, when it will then be offered on the San Francisco campus.