[1] The Profession
Dental hygienists perform various oral health procedures on patients, and they educate patients and the public on good oral hygiene. Common clinical services performed are cleaning and polishing teeth, exposing and developing radiographs, applying topical fluoride and sealants, and recording medical and dental histories. In addition to clinical services, the hygienist educates patients on good oral hygiene and nutrition for health promotion and disease prevention.
Dental hygienists are employed in the offices of general or specialty dentists; military, state, or federal health agencies; schools; industry; and sales of dental products.
[2] Requirements
Students pursuing a career in dental hygiene attend UCA for two years to complete the lower-division UCA Core and pre-clinical requirements and then transfer to a dental hygiene department for two years to complete the professional education. Students should contact the dental hygiene program they plan to attend for specific information about degree requirements.
The following courses should be completed at UCA (65 hours total):
WRTG 1310 and 1320, COMM 1300, HIST 1310 or 1320, PSCI 1330 or HIST 2301 or HIST 2302, SOC 1300, PSYC 1300, ART 2300 or MUS 2330 or THEA 2300, CHEM 1450, BIOL 1440 and 2411, MATH 1390, CSCI 1300, humanities course (3 hours). Electives (all 3000- or 4000-level courses): 13 hours.
Apply to the dental hygiene clinical program during the spring semester of the sophomore year. The dental hygiene program at UAMS will only start a candidate in its program at the beginning of the fall semester.