Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, totaling 128 credits, serves as a gateway to numerous career prospects within the field. This comprehensive degree not only enhances professional capabilities but also unlocks diverse employment opportunities for dental hygienists. From roles as administrators, clinicians, and educators to opportunities in corporate settings, entrepreneurship, public health, and research, this degree equips individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in various facets of the profession.
The BSDH Dental Hygiene program offers various options for students to pursue their education in dental hygiene. The BSDH Dental Hygiene Concentration curriculum plan can be completed over a typical four-year college curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to earn a BS degree while receiving dental hygiene education. This full-time on-campus or hybrid program includes coursework in general education, basic sciences, clinical sciences, and dental hygiene theory, with a clinical component in the second and third years.
Additionally, there's an option for students who have completed an associate degree in dental hygiene to pursue a BS Degree Completion program, where credits can be transferred, and most classes are offered online. Another option is the BSDH Dental Science Concentration, which integrates prerequisite courses required for dental school application and other health-related professions. For incoming students with transfer credits, there's a BSDH for Transfers curriculum plan, allowing for a shorter completion period. All options are discussed during information-sharing sessions with admissions counselors, ensuring students find the right fit for their educational goals.
The Department of Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting offers BS students the opportunity to apply for a scholarship when enrolling in our internship courses.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
For admission requirements and instructions specific to this program, see Admission Requirements.
Program Requirements
Tracks
Track A
This curriculum is offered full-time and it is completed within four years. The first year curriculum includes courses in general education, basic sciences and clinical sciences. The second and third years include dental hygiene theory, with a clinical component. The fourth year includes classes in advanced dental hygiene theory, with additional core education requirements to complete necessary degree credits. Students can begin their studies in the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters.
Accelerated Track A (for transfer students)
For incoming students with possible transfer credits, the BS degree may be completed in a shorter period of time. All BS track options will be discussed at the time of the applicant’s information sharing session/ interview with an admissions counselor once official transcripts are reviewed.
Track B
This curriculum is for a dental hygiene student who has completed an Associate’s degree in dental hygiene from an accredited dental hygiene program and wishes to complete a BS degree. A student who completed an initial degree in dental hygiene at another institution may transfer up to 96 credits with a grade of "C" or better. At least 32 credits must be taken through NYU. Students who completed 78 credits for the Associate in Applied Science degree at NYU’s Dental Hygiene program must complete 128 total credits for the Bachelor in Dental Hygiene. Students can begin their studies in Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. Most classes are offered online and can be completed full-time or part-time.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Apply ethical practice of dental hygiene and adhere to legal and regulatory codes of the profession.
- Use critical thinking skills and comprehensive problem-solving to create evidence-based systemic and oral health care strategies that promote patient health and wellness.
- Continuously perform self-assessment for life-long learning and professional growth.
- Promote the values of the dental hygiene profession through service-based activities, positive community affiliations, and active involvement in local organizations.
- Initiate collaborative approach and communicate effectively with all patients when developing individualized care plans that are specialized, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and acceptable to all parties involved without discrimination.
- 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.
- Assume responsibility for professional actions and integrates educational, preventive, and therapeutic oral health services based on accepted scientific theories, research, and the accepted standard of care.
- Apply quality assurance mechanisms to ensure continuous commitment to accepted standards of care, including health and safety of patient and provider and accurate, consistent and complete documentation of general and oral health services.
- Initiate consultations and collaborations with all relevant health care providers for the delivery of inter-professional, patient-centered care.
- Manage medical emergencies by using professional judgment, providing life support, and utilizing required CPR and any specialized training or knowledge.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Dentistry Policies
A full list of related academic policies can be found on the College of Dentistry Academic Policies page.