Bachelor of Dental Hygiene at West Virginia University

The establishment of the integrated baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene at West Virginia University in September 1961 was a milestone in dental hygiene education.  The program stands out as one of the top dental hygiene programs nationally as shown by the students' commitment to excellence.  With the addition of the degree completion program in 1987 and the master of science program in 1989, the Department of Dental Hygiene provides graduates the opportunity to further their education.  The integrated curriculum in dental hygiene combines the advantages of both liberal arts and the professional aspects of education.  Graduates from the program are awarded a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene, with the option to obtain a master of science degree with the completion of a minimum of one additional year.

The dental hygiene curriculum is rigorous and provides excellent preparation for the practice of dental hygiene in numerous practice settings.  The curriculum requires successful completion of a total of 133-34 hours and was constructed in accordance with the standards specified for a school of dental hygiene by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.  The program has been fully accredited by this organization since 1965.

The dental hygiene program has a strong commitment to providing care and educational programs to residents of West Virginia, which is demonstrated by the required 125 hours of service learning and clinical care courses.  To provide students in dental hygiene program with the necessary clinical experience that is required, the School of Dentistry maintains and operates dental clinics in the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry.  Through the West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health (WVUICRH), students are required to provide direct patient care for the citizens of West Virginia at a rural site during the summer session between their junior and senior year.  

The WVU dental hygiene program has an excellent reputation for producing outstanding clinicians and many faculty members as well as graduates are recognized as leaders in dental education and organized dentistry. Please visit Dental Hygiene Excellence and Distinction for more information.

The Profession

Dental hygiene is an exciting profession with many rewarding and challenging career opportunities which include clinical/patient care, administration, education, research, and sales/marketing.  Dental hygienists are employed in diverse settings such as private dental practices; clinics; hospitals; long-term care facilities/rehabilitation centers; dental hygiene education; national, state, and local government agencies; and private business/industry.  As a licensed health professional and oral health educator, the dental hygienist has an important role in the overall health and welfare of the public.  The dental hygienist is an integral part of the dental team, providing direct patient care based on the prevention of disease.  The duties and responsibilities of dental hygienists vary from state to state but may include oral prophylaxis (removing stains and deposits from teeth); root debridement; exposing radiographs; application of preventive and therapeutic agents; local delivery of antimicrobial agents; nutritional counseling; oral, head, and neck cancer screenings; monitoring nitrous oxide sedation; and administration of local anesthesia.  The educational background of a dental hygienist provides the knowledge, attitudes, and skill necessary to be successful in a wide variety of careers.  From providing clinical care to research to public administration, dental hygiene opens the door to many successful career options.  For an overview of the profession, please visit the undergraduate Dental Hygiene website.  

Academic and Professional Standards

Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program are held to high Academic and Professional Standards throughout their time in the Program.  Please visit the Dental Hygiene Student Resources page for the Dental Hygiene Academic and Professional Standards, Student Rights and Responsibilities, additional policies, and guidelines.

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH)

Program Goals:

1. Provide a high quality program of instruction that prepares dental hygienists to:            
   • Possess a heightened awareness of social and cultural diversity, ethics and professionalism.
   • Apply critical thinking to integrate current scientific principles/technology with the provision of evidenced-based, comprehensive health care.
   • Perform to the level of clinical competency those legally approved oral health services as defined by the West Virginia State Board of Dental Examiners and the WVU School of Dentistry.                             
   • Perform to the level of laboratory competency those legally approved oral health services (beyond the scope of the West Virginia practice act) stipulated in the practice acts of other states, districts, or territories of the United States.
   • Coordinate and administer oral health services for a variety of populations in diverse settings (public health agencies, hospitals, school systems, etc.).
   • Engage in intra and interprofessional collaborative activities with community leaders and health care professionals to manage the oral health needs of rural West Virginia.
   • Provide didactic and clinical instruction in allied dental education programs.
   • Pursue professional development through self-study, continuing education, research and advanced studies at the masters and doctoral levels.
2. Recruit, admit and retain students with the potential to succeed within the dental hygiene program.
3. Create an environment conducive to faculty promotion, retention, and satisfaction.

Program Competencies:

1. Apply the concepts of professionalism, ethics, law, and regulation to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of social/cultural diversity issues.
3. Apply basic, dental hygiene, and dental science concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
4. Provide the dental hygiene process of care which includes assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation components that are both evidence-based and patient-centered.
5. Provide dental hygiene care to children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, special needs patients, and persons with medically compromising conditions.
6. Implement evidence-based tobacco cessation strategies utilizing the 5 A's (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, & Arrange) for all tobacco using patients.
7. Provide dental hygiene care for all types of classifications of periodontal disease, including patients who exhibit moderate to severe periodontal disease.
8. Provide dental hygiene/dental supportive treatment that is both evidence-based and patient-centered.
9. Provide appropriate life support measures for any medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.
10. Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate community-based oral health programs to promote health and prevent disease among a variety of population groups in diverse settings.
11. Demonstrate interpersonal and group communications skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups.
12. Apply biostatistical principles in the analysis of scientific literature and the design and interpretation of a student-based research project.
13. Design courses, provide didactic and clinical instruction, and implement evaluation strategies in allied dental education programs.
14. Identify career options within the dental hygiene profession.
15. Participate in activities that promote life long learning and professional growth.
16. Engage in intra and interprofessional team building activities that foster collaborative learning.