Dental Hygiene Specialization

As part of the dental hygiene program, you will select an area of specialization, in consultation with your academic advisor and faculty advisor. Area of specialization requirements may not be completed prior to admission to the major.

  • Expanded Functions prepares students to provide procedures utilized by advanced qualified personnel in basic and advanced restorative dentistry. If you choose this option, during the summer before your senior year you will enroll in pre-clinic laboratory, which provides basic theory, procedures and clinical applications of expanded functions duties. In your senior year, you will enroll in clinic and a seminar that provides clinical experience and final preparation for the Ohio Expanded Functions Qualifying Examination. Admission to this specialization requires the recommendation of clinical faculty, and the number of students admitted may be limited. Requirements: DH 4725 (4), 4740 (2), 4750 (1) and 4760 (1).
  • Dental Hygiene Education introduces students to the career option of education as a profession. Dental hygiene and adult education theory and concepts are the major components of this specialization. Requirements: DH 4620 (3) and 4630 (3).
  • In the Individualized Program, students are encouraged to design an area of specialization of their own choosing. Please discuss with the assistant director and forward a curriculum plan and rationale to the Dental Hygiene Curriculum Committee for approval. We encourage you to consider business, public health, research or other areas that may prepare you for graduate programs or specific career goals. Previously earned credit will not be considered as hours toward the specialization. Requirements: 6 hours of approved course work at the 2000 level or above.
  • Public Health is an integral part of health care and dentistry and allows students to build upon the introductory public health and statistical knowledge that they explore in Community Oral Health, Research Application and Analysis, and Oral Health Behavioral Management. Several of the areas within public health--including epidemiology, biostatistics, and health behavior promotion--fit well with the study of dental hygiene and enhance students' ability to address needs in the community. Requirements: Select 6 hours from the approved list of classes: PUBHLTH 2010 (3), PUBHEPI 2410 (3), PUBHEPI 4410 (3), PUBHHBP 3510 (3), PUBHHMP 3610 (3), PUBHBIO 2210 (3), and PUBHEHS 3310 (3)



    Course descriptions are available in the Course Catalog.