Marian W. Patton, R.D.H., Ed.D., Head
219 Clement Hall
615-963-5801
Faculty: J. Brinson, T.C. Newbern, R. Word, H.
Mitchell-Oliver, G.L. Lewis, (Meharry Faculty: B. Ballard, D. Felix).
(Adjunct Faculty: O. Maxwell, J.Brown)
General Statement: Two degree programs are offered by the Department of
Dental Hygiene: the Associate of Applied Science and the Bachelor of
Science. Students accepted into the Bachelor of Science degree program may
enroll at the freshman or post certificate level. The baccalaureate degree
may serve as a foundation for further study.
The dental hygienist is a licensed professional with specialized clinical
and educational skills who performs preventive and therapeutic services
under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The primary functions of the
dental hygienist include working as an integral part of the dental health
team and assisting individuals and groups in obtaining and maintaining
optimal oral health. Associated activities include the prevention and
control of dental diseases and disorders.
Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program are eligible for the National Board
Dental Hygiene Examination and Regional/State Board Examinations throughout
the country.
ADMISSION/RETENTION REQUIREMENTS
A student must be accepted into the University before applying to the Dental
Hygiene Program. Applications to the Department of Dental Hygiene must be
received by December 31 prior to the year for which admission is being
requested. Any applications received after the December 31 deadline are
considered by the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee on a space available
basis. Admission into Dental Hygiene is required prior to enrolling in any
dental hygiene courses.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Program
In addition to University admission requirements, applicants to the two-year
AAS degree program must meet the following program requirements in order to
be considered for admission:
-
A minimum high school grade point average of 2.5 and college 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.
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One year of high school algebra.
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One year of high school biology.
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One year of high school chemistry.
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A composite score of 19 on the ACT, or an equivalent score on the SAT.
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*One semester of college English Composition.
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*One year of Anatomy and Physiology.
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*One semester of Microbiology.
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*One semester of Humanities.
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**One letter of recommendation from science teachers describing the applicant’s potential for success in the Dental Hygiene curriculum.
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One character recommendation.
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A brief autobiographical sketch in the applicant’s handwriting.
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A complete health evaluation on the official forms provided by the Department of Dental Hygiene.
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A personal interview. Interviews may be arranged for applicants who live beyond 300 miles of the University.
*COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE AAS DEGREE IN DENTAL HYGIENE MUST BE COMPLETED
BEFORE BEING ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM.
**If the applicant has had a long period of absence from an academic
program, references from employers, counselors, or other community
leaders who know the applicant may substitute for references from
science teachers.
Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Program
Acceptance into the baccalaureate degree program may be accomplished by:
(1) meeting the requirements for admission into the AAS degree program
as a first-year student; or (2) meeting the requirements for admission
at the third-year level. Applicants who wish to enter the BS degree
program at the junior level must submit the following data and meet the
following criteria:
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A 2.0 grade point average in clinical dental hygiene courses and a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with grade point averages higher than the minimum may be given priority in acceptance.
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Two letters of recommendation from dental hygiene faculty persons who taught the applicant. One letter must attest to the clinical competencies of the applicant. (May not be required of recent TSU/MMC graduates.)
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Official college transcript(s). (May not be required of recent TSU/MMC graduates.)
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A complete health evaluation on the official forms provided by the Department of Dental Hygiene.
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A personal interview with members of the Committee on Admissions. Interviews may be arranged for applicants who live beyond 300 miles from the University.
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The following advanced dental hygiene courses (3000-4000 level) require national board certification and/or Tennessee State Licensure: DHYG 3010, 4020, 4110, and 4120.
NOTE: Acceptance to the University does not ensure acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program. Following notification of acceptance to the University by the Office of Admissions and Records, the prospective Dental Hygiene applicant’s admission material will be evaluated by the Committee on Dental Hygiene Admissions. Dental Hygiene applicants will be informed of their acceptance or rejection by the chairperson of the Committee on Dental Hygiene Admissions.
Admission to Advanced Standing
Students admitted from other dental hygiene programs must earn, in
residence, a minimum of 24 of the last 30 hours offered for the AAS
degree in Dental Hygiene. To receive consideration for advanced standing
the following requirements are necessary.
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Matriculation in an accredited dental hygiene program.
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Official transcripts from each school.
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Satisfactory scholastic and disciplinary records from the dental hygiene program from which the applicant is withdrawing. No students are accepted whose failures have resulted in dismissal or academic probation in another dental hygiene program.
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A statement of honorable dismissal from the dean or director of the program from which the applicant is withdrawing.
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If the interval since attendance has exceeded two years, the applicant may be required to take examinations recommended by the Committee on Curriculum.
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If any deficiencies exist, disposition may require:
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Validation of credits by department chairperson.
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Examination of credits by department chairperson.
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Completion of certain courses not common to all dental hygiene curricula.
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Admission to advanced standing may necessitate auditing or taking for credit courses which the Committee on Curriculum may deem necessary to ensure adequate preparation for continued dental hygiene study.
Progression and Retention Policy
A grade of C or better in lecture, laboratory, and clinical evaluations is considered passing.
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A grade of D or F is considered failing. A student who earns a failing grade in a dental hygiene course is not eligible to progress in the program.
Readmission Progress
A student who earns a failing grade in a dental hygiene course and wants
to re-apply must do so, in writing, to the Program Director for reentry
at least six weeks before the beginning of the semester reentry is
requested. An updated transcript is required. Readmissions are based on
previous performance in dental hygiene courses, faculty recommendations,
and available faculty and clinical resources. There is no guarantee that
any student will be readmitted.
A student who earns a second failing grade in any dental hygiene course
at TSU cannot continue in the program.
Students who withdraw from the program may be reviewed, (one time only),
by the faculty to determine, on an individual basis, if they are
eligible for re-admission to the program.
Departmental Requirements for
| Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene | ||||
| FRESHMAN YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| HLSC 1000 | 1 | DHYG 1020/1024 | 2/2 | |
| CHEM 1110/1111 | 3/1 | DHYG 1040 | 2 | |
| DHYG 1010/1014 | 3/2 | DHYG 1100 | 2 | |
| DHYG 1030 | 2 | DHYG 1140 | 2 | |
| DHYG 1110 | 2 | NUFS 2110 | 3 | |
| COMM 2200 | 3 | PSYC 2010 | 3 | |
| BIOL 2210/2221** | 4/0 | BIOL 2220/2221** | 4/0 | |
| ENGL 1010** | 3 | 24 | ||
| 20 | ||||
| Summer Session | HR | |||
| DHYG 1050 | 2 | |||
| DHYG 1134 | 1 | |||
| BIOL 2400/2401** | 4 | |||
| 7 | ||||
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| CHEM 2500 | 3 | DHYG 2020/2024 | 2/3 | |
| DHYG 2010/2014 | 2/3 | DHYG 2150 | 2 | |
| DHYG 2050 | 2 | SOCI 2010 | 3 | |
| DHYG 2110 | 2 | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| DHYG 2100 | 3 | 13 | ||
| 15 | ||||
| 79 Credit Hours for AAS Degree | ||||
| **These courses must be taken prior to acceptance in the Dental Hygiene Program. | ||||
| Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene | ||||
|
Degree Completion Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene must successfully complete 79 credit hours during the freshman and sophomore years. See courses listed in the “Suggested Plan for AAS Degree.” In addition, core courses and general education courses required for completion are: |
||||
| Courses | HR | |||
| DHYG 3010 | 3 | |||
| HIST 2010 | 3 | |||
| MATH 1110 | 3 | |||
| ENGL 1020 | 3 | |||
| DHYG 4120 | 3 | |||
| PSYC 2180 | 3 | |||
| DHYG 4020 | 3 | |||
| ENGL 2010 | 3 | |||
| HIST 2020 | 3 | |||
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |||
| EDCI 3870 | 3 | |||
| HLSC 4900 | 3 | |||
| HLSC 4500 | 3 | |||
| HPSS Activity | 2 | |||
| Total Hours Required for BS: 120 | ||||
ACCREDITATION
The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental
Accreditation (and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval
without reporting requirements”). The Commission is a specialized
accrediting body recognized by the Unite States Department of Education. The
Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at
211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Dental Hygiene (DH)
DHYG 1010 Dental Hygiene Lecture (3). An introduction to basic
concepts, methods, materials, and techniques of dental hygiene care.
(Formerly DH 101).
DHYG 1014 Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene (2). Clinical simulation of
dental hygiene using mannequin heads and student partners. Taken
concurrently with DHYG 1010. (Formerly DH 101C).
DHYG 1020 Dental Hygiene Lecture (2). A continuation of DHYG 1010
lecture, including dental hygiene care for patients with special needs and
first aid procedures. (Formerly DH 102) Prerequisites: CHEM 1010,
1011, and satisfactory completion of all prescribed first semester
curriculum.
DHYG 1024 Clinical Dental Hygiene (2). Supervised application of the
practice of dental hygiene on patients within the clinical setting. Taken
concurrently with DHYG 1020. (Formerly DH 102C) Prerequisite:
Satisfactory completion of prescribed first semester curriculum.
DHYG 1030 Radiology (2). Lecture, group, and individually supervised
practice covering x-ray production, radiation hygiene, exposing, developing,
mounting, reading and interpretation of intra-oral radiographs. (Formerly
DH 103) Taken concurrently with DHYG 1024. Prerequisite: Satisfactory
completion of prescribed first semester curriculum.
DHYG 1040 Dental Materials (2). Study of characteristics and
techniques of the manipulation of materials used in dentistry. Emphasis is
placed on basic knowledge for selecting materials. Laboratory experiences
supplement lectures. (Formerly DH 104) Taken as designated in the
first year curriculum. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of first
semester curriculum.
DHYG 1050 Periodontics (2). An introduction to periodontics with
emphasis on the recognition of gingival and periodontal problems, their
probable cause, treatment and prevention, techniques of patient education,
and continued application of theoretical principles of clinical dental
hygiene. (Formerly DH 105) Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of
the prescribed first two semesters of studies.
DHYG 1100 Histology and Embryology (2). Study of microscopic oral
tissues to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the
cellular structure and its application to dental problems. (Formerly DH
110) Taken concurrently with prescribed courses of the first semester,
first year curriculum.
DHYG 1110 Tooth Morphology (2). A study of the nomenclature, form and
structure of the permanent and deciduous dentition and their supporting and
related structures. (Formerly DH 111) Taken concurrently with other
prescribed courses of the first semester, first year curriculum.
DHYG 1134 Clinical Dental Hygiene (1). This course is designed to be
a continuation of freshman clinical experiences and provides a bridge to the
sophomore year. (Formerly DH 113C).
DHYG 1140 Head and Neck Anatomy (2). The structure and functional
aspects of the head and neck and their significance to the practice of
dental hygiene. Taken as designated in the first year curriculum.
(Formerly DH 114) Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of prescribed
first semester curriculum.
DHYG 2010 Dental Hygiene Lecture (2). Includes several modules;
ethics, jurisprudence, and special patients. (Formerly DH 201)
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the prescribed first year of study.
DHYG 2014 Clinical Dental Hygiene (3). Supervised competency-based
application of the practice of clinical dental hygiene. (Formerly DH
201C) Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the prescribed first two
semesters of studies. DHYG 2010 and 2100 must be taken concurrently.
DHYG 2020 Dental Hygiene Lecture (2). This course discusses methods
of pain control which includes monitoring of nitrous oxide analgesic and
administration of regional anesthesia. (Formerly DH 202)
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of first semester sophomore courses.
DHYG 2024 must be taken concurrently.
DHYG 2024 Clinical Dental Hygiene (3). A progressive continuation of
competency based supervised applications of clinical dental hygiene and
expanded periodontics (Formerly DH 202C and 205C) Prerequisite: DHYG
1050, 2050, and satisfactory completion of first semester sophomore courses.
DHYG 2020 must be taken concurrently.
DHYG 2050 Expanded Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist (2) Designed
to offer aspects of periodontics which are not generally considered as
traditional dental hygiene functions. Advanced instructions are offered to
further enable students to recognize and label periodontal disease and to
understand etiological factors. Students are taught to participate in the
planning of treatment for early or minor forms of periodontal disease and to
apply and remove dressings. (Formerly DH 205) Prerequisites: DHYG
1050 and satisfactory completion of the prescribed first year of study.
DHYG 2100 General and Oral Pathology (3). A study of disease and
disease processes, the oral manifestations of systemic disease, oral
pathology with particular attention to oral cancer and cancer detection
methods. (Formerly DH 210) Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of
prescribed first year of study.
DHYG 2110 Community Dentistry (2). A survey of private, community,
and governmental agencies. Dental epidemiology, socio-economic factors
relating to dental care, special programs, and third party payment plans are
covered. (Formerly DH 211) Prerequisite: Completion of the prescribed
first year curriculum.
DHYG 2150 Dental Health Education (2). A study of the dental health
educational methods and procedures for individuals and groups. Students will
design and produce relevant projects. (Formerly DH 215) Prerequisite:
Satisfactory completion of first semester sophomore courses.
DHYG 3010 Curriculum Concepts in Dental Hygiene and Allied Health
Education (3). A course designed to explore theories of learning,
teaching strategies, and evaluation techniques as applied to dental hygiene
and allied health education. (Formerly DH 301) Prerequisite: EDCI
3870.
DHYG 4020 Dental Hygiene Externship (3). One hour of seminar and four
hours externship. An application of dental hygiene techniques to various
setting, e.g., hospitals, health centers and DHYG 4020 clinics. Experiences
will be individualized and designed to meet student proposed career goals.
(Formerly DH 402).
DHYG 4120 Teaching Practicum (3). One hour lecture and 4 hours of
practicum. A teaching practicum designed to provide practical experience in
the clinical and classroom settings for baccalaureate students. (Formerly
DH 412) Prerequisite: DHYG 3010.