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The dental hygiene program prepares you to become a healthcare professional dedicated to enhancing people's wellness. Through practical clinical training across diverse environments, you'll collaborate with peers and cultivate skills for lifelong learning, equipping you to deliver care in various professional contexts as you train to become a dental hygienist.
At USD's dental hygiene program, you'll focus on preventive care and community outreach in oral health maintenance. The curriculum offers practical experience in multiple settings – from dental offices and educational institutions to long-term care facilities, Native American healthcare centers, and correctional institutions – building your confidence through experiential learning. As part of USD's Health Sciences program, you'll train alongside students from different healthcare fields, preparing you to work effectively within interdisciplinary patient care teams.
Supported by dedicated faculty, USD guides you toward achieving your professional aspirations. Graduates emerge prepared to deliver vital services in conventional dental practices and alternative healthcare environments. Career opportunities extend beyond clinical practice to include roles in dental product sales, academic instruction, armed forces healthcare, scientific research, and community health initiatives.
The program combines clinical practice, cutting-edge coursework, and individualized mentorship. Your training will provide the expertise and practical skills needed to successfully complete both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and state clinical licensing requirements, launching your career as a skilled and empathetic dental hygiene professional.
International students who have officially completed secondary school (high school) in either the United States or their home country may apply for undergraduate admission. High school (secondary school) transcript with grade point average equivalent to 2.6 on a 4.0 scale.
English Language Requirements:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - 71 or higher (iBT), 530 or higher (paper test), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - 6.0 or higher, Cambridge International Examinations English subject O-Level with B or higher, English subject A-Level with C or higher; International Baccalaureate (IB) - IB English A (4 or higher) or IB English B (6 or higher).