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Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

A baccalaureate degree opens doors to expanded career options for dental hygienists. UTHealth School of Dentistry is the only Houston-area school offering a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree, and recently became the first school in Texas to offer dental hygiene students the option of earning credentials toward a master’s degree in public health (MPH), even as they complete studies for a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. More information about our new Dual-Degree Program (BSDH/MPH) is available on request.

BSDH - Entry Level
The entry-level BSDH program is best suited for applicants who are interested in entering the dental hygiene profession. This is a full-time program that includes four semesters, plus a summer term. Classes are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students should not plan to work during their enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Program due to the demand of coursework and clinic.

Online Application

Application Deadlines

Applications for the on-campus BSDH programs will be available online starting April 15th and ending August 31st. To be considered for the incoming class, applicants must apply one year prior to the August start date. All transcripts and supporting documents for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program must be sent to UTHealth Office of the Registrar by Aug. 31 of the year preceding expected enrollment. The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications in October until all positions are filled. Applicants will be notified of their standing by May 31. All prerequisites must be completed by May 31 prior to the start of the fall semester.

Shadowing Requirement

All entry-level applicants are required to have a minimum of 20 hours of shadowing experience with a dental hygienist. Shadowing a dentist will not be accepted for any portion of the 20 hours. This experience will allow the applicant to observe the various facets of the dental hygiene profession. Complete the Shadowing Form.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required- two from professors and one from an employer using the institutional form

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

This test is required if the applicant did not attend high school in the United States. The exception to this requirement is this: If the applicant holds an associate or higher degree from a U.S.-accredited institution, the TOEFL test is not required.

Acuity Insights

All applicants must complete the Casper test with Acuity Insights Assessment. Casper is a 90–110-minute online assessment, open-response situational judgment test (SJT). Please be advised that there are only 2 test dates available for the admission cycle for Fall 2024. The testing fee is $60. All applicants must register to take the test at Acuity Insights, create an account, and complete Casper. Learn more about Casper

Tests will be administered on Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 7 P.M. and Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7 P.M.

Prerequisites for Entry-Level BSDH Program:

Course Name Semester Hours
English Composition I & II 6
Speech 3
College Math (or higher) 3
Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4*
Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4*
Chemistry 4*
Microbiology 4*
General Psychology 3
Sociology 3
U.S. History (may include 3 hours Texas History) 6
U.S. Government 3
Texas Government 3
Computer Science 3
Humanities 3
Visual & Performing Arts 3
Nutrition 3
Electives 4**
Total Semester Hours 62

*Laboratory time required
**Recommended electives include foreign language, research design, and statistics. No PE or remedial courses accepted.

For more information on transfer credits, please use the prerequisite guide located here

Dental Hygiene Courses

B.S.D.H. Program / Certification

2023-2024

Course Title Certification Course Number BSDH Course Number Credit Hour Term

First Year

Pre-Clinical Technique DHCT 2101 DHBS 3101 5.0 Fall
Oral Disease Prevention I DHCT 2103 DHBS 3103 3.0 Fall
Dental Radiology I DHCT 2105 DHBS 3105 2.0 Fall
Head and Neck Anatomy DHCT 2107 DHBS 3107 2.0 Fall
Oral Histology and Embryology DHCT 2108 DHBS 3108 2.0 Fall
Dental Anatomy DHCT 2109 DHBS 3109 3.0 Fall
Clinical Practice I DHCT 2201 DHBS 3201 3.0 Spring
Clinical Seminar I DHCT 2202 DHBS 3202 3.0 Spring
Dental Radiology II DHCT 2205 DHBS 3205 1.0 Spring
General Oral Pathology DHCT 2206 DHBS 3206 3.0 Spring
Dental Emergencies DHCT 2209 DHBS 3209 2.0 Spring
Oral Disease Prevention II DHCT 2210 DHBS 3210 1.0 Spring
Periodontology DHCT 2211 DHBS 3211 3.0 Spring
Clinical Seminar II DHCT 2300 DHBS 3500 1.0 Summer
Clinical Practice II DHCT 2301 DHBS 3501 3.0 Summer
Dental Materials DHCT 2306 DHBS 3506 3.0 Summer

Second Year

Clinical Practice III DHCT 3301 DHBS 4301 4.0 Fall
Clinical Seminar III DHCT 3302 DHBS 4302 2.0 Fall
Community Dental Health DHCT 3303 DHBS 4303 3.0 Fall
Pharmacology DHCT 3308 DHBS 4308 2.0 Fall
Applied Nutrition DHCT 3310 DHBS 4310 1.0 Fall
Special Needs Patients DHCT 3311 DHBS 4311 2.0 Fall
Clinical Practice IV DHCT 3401 DHBS 4401 4.0 Spring
Clinical Seminar IV DHCT 3402 DHBS 4402 1.0 Spring
Community Dental Health Prac. DHCT 3403 DHBS 4403 2.0 Spring
Applied Oral Pathology DHCT 3406 DHBS 4406 1.0 Spring
Current Applications of DH DHCT 3407 DHBS 4407 2.0 Spring
Practice Management DHCT 3408 DHBS 4408 2.0 Spring

Program Costs

For a detailed breakdown of tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar's Office. For a summary of the program cost estimated by Financial Aid, click here.

BSDH Program Cost Estimate 2023-2024

Credit Hours Living Expense Tuition & Fees Resident Tuition & Fees Non-Resident
First Year 33 $26,950 $14,498 $27,098
Second Year 33 $32,340 $16,913 $31,949
Total 66 $59,290 $31,411 $59,047

Financial Aid

The School of Dentistry has a variety of loan and scholarship funds. Funds may be available based on proven financial need and/or academic excellence. More information on financial aid may be obtained from:

Office of Financial Aid

UTHealth
P.O. Box 20036
Houston TX 77225-0036
713-500-3860

Information Session FAQ

Contact Us

Office of the Registrar
UTHealth
P.O. Box 20036
Houston TX 77225-0036
E-mail: [email protected]
Dental Hygiene Program
7500 Cambridge St, Suite 6470
Houston, TX 77054
Phone: 713-486-4084
Fax: 713-486-0410
Email: [email protected]
Office of Student Affairs
School of Dentistry
713-486-4151