Overview
The application process for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program has the following main steps:
- Complete an online admission application to the UAMS College of Health Professions through Workday.
- Submit all requested materials as instructed.
- Complete an admission interview (if invited).
If the applicant is admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program, additional requirements must be met before they enroll in the program.
- Receipt of state authorization for out-of-state distance education and/or out-of-state clinical placement (if applicable)
- Completion of the required immunizations and tests
- Major medical health insurance coverage that meets minimum standards as designated by UAMS
- Completion of a criminal background check and drug screen
- Receipt of health care provider CPR certification
Re-Applying and Re-Admission
Students who have applied for a previous admission cycle or who withdraw or are dismissed from the UAMS College of Health Professions for any reason must re-apply for admission. Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about the process.
High School Students
According to Arkansas Department of Higher Education guidelines, high school students earning concurrent (dual) credit are classified as first-time, full-time students. Because UAMS is considered a non first-time, full-time institution, it cannot admit high school students, including those who have earned dual credit. To be eligible for admission, students must have been enrolled as college students during a fall or spring semester prior to attending UAMS.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program is March 15. Applications not completed by this date may not be considered for admission to the program.
Applicants should begin the process the previous fall. Applicants who wait until March to begin the process often do not meet the application deadline.
UAMS Online Admission Application Through Workday
To apply to a UAMS College of Health Professions degree program, you must complete the online admission application through Workday. You will find this application under “UAMS CHP Applicant Home (Undergraduate)”. Please note that a non-refundable fee of $40 is required and must be submitted along with your application.
You can save your application and return to it at a later date. However, it will not be considered for review until it is submitted and the application fee is paid. After submitting the online application, you will receive a successful submission page, which will list the documents needed to complete your admission file.
Personal Statement
The submission of a written personal statement is required as part of the application process and must be submitted in Workday before the application deadline for all applicants.
Important: The personal statement is a required component of your application and must be submitted at the time you apply. You will not be able to add or upload the essay after your application has been submitted.
Refer to the admission requirements for details about the requirements for the personal statement.
Submit Requested Materials
Official Transcripts
Arrange for each post-secondary academic institution you have attended to forward an official transcript of your coursework. If college courses were taken concurrently while high school through an accredited institution of higher education, please be sure to include a transcript from that school as well.
Official transcripts should be sent directly to the UAMS College of Health Professions Admissions Office either electronically or via mail.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Health Professions
4301 W. Markham Street, Slot 619
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Email: CHPAdmissions@uams.edu
Note: If you are admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program, you will also need to provide final official transcripts to UAMS reflecting the completion of any courses that were in progress at the time of the application deadline.
For more detailed information about official transcripts, please refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website.
International Transcripts
If an applicant is basing their eligibility on credits from an international institution, they are required to arrange for the official transcript to be evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators Inc. or World Education Services. Transcript evaluations from other companies will not be accepted.
Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about the evaluation of international transcripts.
Professional Observation Form
The professional observation form must be signed by the registered dental hygienist to document these observation hours. The applicant must then upload the form to their Workday application.
This form must be received before the application deadline.
Refer to the admission requirements for more details about the professional observation requirement.
English Fluency and Literacy Test Scores
All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English, are required to demonstrate fluency (speaking) and literacy (reading and writing). The Test of English as a Foreign Language and the International English Language Testing System are the two accepted tests for this purpose.
An official copy of the test scores must be sent directly to UAMS from the respective testing service.
Refer to the English Fluency and Literacy Requirement policy for more details.
Admission Interview
After the application deadline, the most qualified candidates will receive a notification from the program to arrange an admission interview. These interviews are held on the main UAMS campus in Little Rock, Arkansas, usually in the month of April.
Applicant and Reapplicant Checklist
To help applicants and reapplicants stay organized throughout the application process, we have created a Dental Hygiene Applicant Checklist for the Fall 2027 admission cycle. This checklist outlines key steps, required materials, and important reminders to help ensure applications are complete by the March 15 deadline.
Additional Requirements Once Admitted
If the applicant is admitted to the program, the following additional requirements must be met before they enroll in the program.
Final Official Transcripts
If you are accepted into the program, you will also need to provide final official transcripts to UAMS reflecting the completion of any courses that were in progress at the time of the application deadline. Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about submitting official transcripts to the college.
State Authorization of Distance Education and Clinical Placement
Students enrolling in a distance education program who are not residing in Arkansas, as well as students who are going to a state other than Arkansas for clinical experience, must have prior approval from that state’s higher education agency. Federal Program Integrity standards require UAMS to gain this approval.
Fortunately, Arkansas along with many other states have joined the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. Members of the SARA provide automatic approval to other member states to “operate” in that state. More information on state authorization for distance education to include out-of-state clinical placement of students can be found on the UAMS Academic Affairs website.
Should you have any questions regarding state authorization or the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, please contact Tina Maddox, Ph.D., associate dean for academic affairs, at 501-686-5730 or TMaddox@uams.edu.
Immunizations and Tests
Accepted students must show documentation of certain required immunizations or tests prior to enrolling in a UAMS College of Health Professions program. Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details.
Health Insurance
All students admitted to a UAMS College of Health Professions degree or certificate program are required to have major medical health insurance coverage at all times that meet minimum standards as designated by UAMS. For health insurance information, please refer to the UAMS Student Life website.
Background Check and Drug Screen
When required, admitted applicants or students must obtain a criminal background check and drug screen. Background checks and drug screens are meant to ensure the safety and compliance of all UAMS College of Health Professions students with various clinical sites. Refer to the Background Checks and Drug Screens for Applicants and Students policy for more information.
If you have questions or concerns on these two items, please contact Phyllis Fields, associate dean for student affairs at PAFields@uams.edu or 501-686-5730.
CPR Certification
Health care provider CPR certification is required for all dental hygiene students. CPR instruction is available through the American Heart Association and students must arrange to take a course at their expense. The course must include instruction on the use of an automated external defibrillator, and the program does not accept online courses.