Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program is comprised of 128 credits, which can be completed either along a "typical" four-year college track (Track A) or through a degree completion track (Track B). Track A is a four-year dental hygiene program (PDF) which allows the student to obtain the BS degree while also receiving dental hygiene education. Track B (degree completion (PDF)) is for students who have already completed an accredited program in dental hygiene and now wish to pursue a BS degree. Additionally, an Accelerated Track A (PDF) for students with possible transfer credits is available.
All BS tracks include unique internship opportunities in specialized areas of focus, such as education, research, public health and healthcare management. Two required internships (100 hours total) must be completed and are carefully selected by the student with faculty advisement. The classes offered within these tracks are unique in that they familiarize the students with varied aspects of healthcare beyond the clinical scope of practice. In the field of dental hygiene, a BS degree will create more innovative employment opportunities within the field of dentistry and dental hygiene.
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.
Program Requirements
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| DHYG3-UD 150 | | 3 |
| NURSE-UN 80 | Statistics I | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 167 | | 3 |
| HUMN1-UC 6401 | Critical Thinking | 4 |
| DHYG3-UD 155 | | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 151 | | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 172 | | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 162 | | 4 |
| DHYG2-UD 145 | | 2 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 6 |
| |
| DHYG3-UD 166 | | 2 |
| DHYG3-UD 154 | | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 152 | | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 173 | Leadership Development | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 170 | | 3 |
| DHYG3-UD 156 | | 3 |
| Total Credits | 57 |
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.