About the Program

Mission

The Department of Dental Hygiene, an educational program in the College of Health Profession at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, derives its purposes and functions from the established missions of the University and the College.

The mission of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is to provide excellent educational opportunities for students of the health care professions in a stimulating environment of basic and clinical research, integrated with the delivery of superb, comprehensive health care services. This four-pronged mission, which includes education, service, research, and patient care, is echoed in the mission of the College of Health Professions. The College offers education opportunities for students to prepare them as graduates to be effective and competent allied health professionals who can provide quality health care. Additionally, the College is committed to community and professional service, patient care, and research in a quest to address the health and health care educational needs of the state, and the sharing of this information with the scientific community.

The mission of the Department of Dental Hygiene is to provide high quality educational opportunities for qualified students to prepare them as graduates to assume and maintain the role of ethical, competent, and progressive professional practitioners. We are committed to providing a curriculum that facilitates instructional strategies that enhance student learning and provides graduates a learning environment that fosters a commitment to scientific inquiry, life-long learning, community service, and professional development. Additionally, we are dedicated to addressing the oral health care needs of the community by providing quality patient care, promoting community and professional oral health education through service activities, and contributing to the research base in order to advance the art and science of dental hygiene and the dental hygiene profession.

Educational Philosophy

The faculty are committed to creating an educational environment that is conducive to the development of dental hygiene professionals who are self-directed and who are capable of critical thinking, problem solving, and responsible decision making.  The dental hygiene program promotes an educational environment that is positive and supportive and is characterized by mutual respect among students, faculty, clients, and staff.  The primary role of the student within this educational environment is to acquire the knowledge, skills, and professional characteristics needed for planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene treatment.  The patient/client must be informed, actively involved in treatment, and provided opportunities for comprehensive dental care.  The role of the faculty is to provide the translation and linkages of theory to clinical practice.  The faculty will provide guidance, role-modeling, information, and positive feedback.  The faculty will encourage student self-assessment and will also evaluate the process involved in performing clinical skills as well as the final outcome of dental hygiene treatment.

Degrees Offered

The Dental Hygiene program is a full-time, day program with one cohort of 36 students beginning each fall semester. It consists of four fall/spring semesters with one intervening summer session.  The program’s mission, goals, and clinical competencies/learning outcomes can be found on the department website.

Successful completion of all program requirements qualifies the student to apply for state, regional, and national examinations required for licensure.  Successful completion of the program does not ensure licensure.

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene consists of 51 semester credits of prerequisite course work and 69 credits in the dental hygiene curriculum, for a total of 120 credits.

Enrollment

The Department enrolls one class each fall semester. The class capacity is 36 students.

Admission Factors

Admission to the program is competitive and based on the following criteria:

• Academic achievement
• Academic aptitude
• Leadership and professionalism
• Written and oral communication

Typical Course Schedule

The UAMS dental hygiene program is a full-time, weekday commitment.  Classes, laboratory sessions, and clinical sessions are scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm. The Department does not offer evening classes. The Department does offer a few hybrid courses and one online course.

For more information, please contact Brittany Rose at 501-686-6862 or the Department of Dental Hygiene at 501-686-5734.