BS in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) Professional Entry-Level
Launch your career as a dental hygienist at Texas Woman’s, one of the few universities in Texas to offer an accredited bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.
Program features
- After completing your prerequisite courses, program completion in as little as 2 years (including summer terms) or 63 credit hours*
- High quality, affordable education and career preparation
- Specialized coursework highlights experiential learning in TWU’s Dental Hygiene Clinic
- Small classes with accessible, knowledgeable and supportive faculty
- Classes offered on TWU’s Denton campus
A full list of courses and requirements are available in the course catalog.
The BS in Dental Hygiene prepares graduates to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Clinical State Board Examination and to apply for a license to practice through the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. If you are a resident of another state, contact our department to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to apply for licensure in your home state.
*Individual requirements may vary.
Why study dental hygiene at TWU?
Experiential learning in TWU’s Dental Hygiene Clinic
In TWU's Dental Hygiene program, you will be trained by experienced TWU faculty in our on-site Dental Hygiene Clinic, which provides low-cost teeth cleanings, X-rays, oral cancer screenings, teeth whitening and a variety of other services to the community. You will be supervised by licensed, experienced dental hygienists and dentists.
Dental hygiene students have the potential to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Refer to the TWU bloodborne pathogen policy.
Supportive student organization
TWU's student chapter of American Dental Hygienists Association works to bring you opportunities to hear speakers on topics of professional interest, participate in service projects, attend state and national organization events and hold social activities with peers and faculty.
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I chose TWU for the environment of the campus, the unique learning opportunities and the excellent services TWU provides for students. Through the professional entry-level dental hygiene program, I have been able to learn and care for populations in unique settings - even in Guatemala.
Career opportunities
A bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene opens career paths including:
- Registered Dental Hygienist*: $87,530 per year
- Dental Sales Representative: $73,080 per year
- Dental Hygiene Instructor*: $84,380 per year
Salary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Find more information on dental hygiene careers through the American Dental Hygienist Association.
You also have the option of continuing your education and boosting your future earning potential with a graduate degree in Health Studies with a Dental Hygiene Focus.
*Job outlook for 2023-33 rated as much faster than average.
Frequently asked questions
What is the date range of the application process?
Applications for the Professional Entry-Level Program are accepted each year between Nov. 1 and Jan. 10 for summer entry. Applicants who are not current TWU students are strongly encouraged to apply to TWU by mid-December to be able to meet the program application deadline.
What is the minimum GPA requirement?
An applicant must have a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0.
Which courses need to be taken before applying to the program or starting the program?
The foundational courses listed below MUST be completed before applying to the Dental Hygiene Professional Entry Program. Grades in these courses, including grades in repeated attempts, will be used to calculate a foundational GPA that will be used in the selection process.
- English Composition I
- English Composition II
- Anatomy & Physiology I (or Anatomy I) + Lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II (or Physiology I) + Lab
- Microbiology + Lab
- Nutrition
- Statistics
Students must complete all prerequisite and core coursework prior to the first summer semester in the professional-entry program.
Is there a time limit for courses taken?
The foundational science courses and chemistry must have been completed within the past five years.
Is the HESI or shadowing hours required to apply?
The Health Education System Inc. (HESI A2) test is required within 12 months of applying. We also encourage applicants to have shadowing hours, but that is not a requirement for admission into the program.
How do I get information about the program before applying?
Current TWU students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to ensure that they are on track. More information can be found on our website and in the undergraduate catalog. If you still have questions, email csohadmissions@twu.edu.
What do I do if I cannot access the program application?
To complete the program application between November 1 and January 10, applicants must first create their TWU Pioneer Portal account and be logged in to their TWU Google Drive account using their TWU email address and Pioneer Portal password.
Admission statistics: How many apply to the program and how many are admitted each year?
The program typically receives over 140 applicants each year. Approximately 60 applicants are offered an interview, and 32 students are admitted each year.
What is the average GPA of admitted students?
The average foundational GPA of applicants initially offered admission to the program is 3.79 with a range of 3.44 to 4.0.
Admissions information
Undergraduate Admission
When you apply to TWU, we will evaluate your academic achievement and preparation, as well as your standardized test scores. Admission to TWU is valid for four terms, unless you have attended another higher education institution.
Check out the links below for specific admissions information:
- How to apply
- Freshman Student Admissions
- Transfer Student Admissions
- International Student Admissions
- Other Types of Undergraduate Admissions
Questions about the admissions process? Contact the Office of Admissions Processing.
Office of Admissions
Texas Woman’s University
P.O. Box 425649
Denton, TX 76204-5649
oap@twu.edu
940-898-3076 or 1-866-809-6130 ext. 3076
Admission to the B.S. in Dental Hygiene (Professional, Entry-Level Program)
The program admits once a year and begins in the summer semester. Applications are only accepted between Nov. 1 and Jan. 10.
Requirements
- Completion of the Health Education System Inc. (HESI A2) admission test within 12 months of applying.
- For admittance, the minimum cumulative score of 75 must be achieved. The HESI exam covers general knowledge needed for our program and will be available from September 17 to January 8. The exam may be taken up to two times.
- A cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0
- Good academic standing with the college or university last attended
- Completion of required foundational coursework with a C or higher before applying to the program. Foundational coursework consists of:
- Anatomy I or A&P I (including lab)
- Physiology I or A&P II (including lab)
- Microbiology (including lab)
- Nutrition
- Statistics
- English Composition I and II
- Completion of anatomy & physiology, microbiology, and chemistry within the past five years.
- Completion of 57 credit hours of undergraduate coursework before entering the program in the summer semester. Specific required courses are listed in the Degree Requirements and include all the courses listed under the Texas Core Curriculum and Other Requirements sections.
- To qualify for entrance into the TWU DH Program, documentation of Texas Core Curriculum completion must be submitted, and processed through the TWU Office of Admissions Processing before starting the program first summer session.
- Knowledge of professional ethics and the dental hygienist’s role in healthcare.
- This requirement may be met through individual research, study, and/or completing DH 1101.
Students who do not meet these requirements will not be considered for admission into the Professional Entry-Level Program.
How to Apply
- Take the Health Education System, Inc. (HESI A2) Admission Exam within 12 months of applying to the program.
- The HESI exam is not offered at the TWH Testing Center. Students must register for an in-person proctored examination via the HESI admission test portal.
- Apply to TWU by Dec. 1 to meet the program application deadline (if not currently attending)
- Submit all transcripts (except TWU transcripts) to Admissions Processing to be fully accepted into the university.
- Program applications will not be considered until copies of all transcripts have been received and reviewed by the Office of Admissions Processing, which may take several weeks.
- Acceptance to TWU does not guarantee admission to the dental hygiene program.
- After acceptance to TWU, complete the online Professional Entry-Level Program Application
- The program admits once a year and begins in the summer semester.
- Program applications are only accepted between Nov. 1 and Jan. 10.
- Applicants enrolled in courses at a college other than TWU during the fall and spring application semesters must submit an official transcript that includes those fall grades and any core courses registered for the spring semester to the Office of Admissions Processing by Jan. 10.
- To access the program application, students must be fully accepted to the university, have their Pioneer Portal account set up, and be logged in to the TWU Google Drive account. For technical questions, contact the TWU Service Desk.
- A copy of the HESI A2 score report and the following information from college transcripts will be needed to complete the program application:
- Course names and dates for all foundational prerequisite and Texas core curriculum courses.
- Names of all colleges and universities previously attended and the dates attended.
About the Selection Process
- A foundational grade point average (FGPA) is computed using an applicant’s grades in the foundational courses. Both the cumulative GPA and the foundational GPA will be considered in making selections, along with the HESI exam score.
- The foundational GPA will average grades from all attempts within a specified time frame for each foundational course.
- Competitive applicants will be invited for a personal interview with a selection committee.
- Invitation to an interview does not guarantee a place in the program but serves as part of the selection process.
- All expenses of the interview are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Notification of interview invitations will be made by mid-February.
- Knowledge of the role that professional dental hygienists play in healthcare, specifically oral healthcare, and awareness of the professional code of ethics of dental hygiene are critical during the interview process. Information regarding the professional code of ethics of dental hygiene can be located here: American Dental Hygienists' Code of Ethics.
- All required core and prerequisite courses must be completed before entry into the program in the summer semester.
Note: Selected students join a cohort for the professional-entry program, starting in the summer.
Admission to the Accelerated B.S. in Dental Hygiene/M.S. in Health Studies
Application Deadlines
Spring: October 1
Admission Requirements
To apply to the program, students must
- be enrolled in the B.S. in Dental Hygiene program at TWU.
- have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- have successfully completed all required coursework to date in the B.S. in Dental Hygiene program.
How to Apply
Students interested in applying to the accelerated program are encouraged to contact the B.S. in Dental Hygiene Program Director prior to applying.
- Complete the B.S. Dental Hygiene/M.S. Health Studies Accelerated program application
- Applicants must submit the following materials:
- A one-page personal statement letter indicating the reasons for pursuing a master's degree
- Professional resume indicating academic background and relevant experience for graduate study
- The names and email addresses of two faculty and/or employers who will provide recommendations for graduate school
- Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Once admitted by the program, apply to the Graduate School. Students cannot enroll in graduate-level coursework until accepted by the Graduate School.
- Apply for admission to the M.S. in Health Studies Dental Hygiene emphasis program
- NOTE: the start date indicated on the graduate application must be for the semester following graduation from the bachelor's degree.
- Apply for admission to the M.S. in Health Studies Dental Hygiene emphasis program
Accelerated Undergraduate-Graduate Program Policy Guidelines
Students may apply to an approved accelerated degree program once they have completed at least 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. Upon admission to an accelerated program, students may enroll in graduate courses for credit once they have attained at least 72 undergraduate semester credit hours. Approved courses will apply to both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
Conditions
- Up to 12 SCH of designated graduate courses may apply to both the Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree program comprised of 45 or fewer SCH; and up to 15 graduate SCH may apply toward both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree program comprised of more than 45 SCH (Master’s, Specialist or Doctoral degree.)
- Undergraduate students may enroll in no more than 6 SCH of graduate coursework in each semester or term.
- No undergraduate-level course may count toward a graduate degree.
- Minimal criteria for admission will include a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Academic components may set higher requirements for their program.
- Once admitted to an accelerated program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the remainder of their baccalaureate degree, or their admission to the accelerated graduate program may be revoked. Academic components may set additional requirements for their programs.
- Prior to applying to an accelerated degree program, students must have completed a minimum of 15 semester credit hours at Texas Woman's University.
Graduate Application Process
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
This academic program may have additional graduate admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the graduate program's website.
Accreditation
TWU’s 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 United 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.
Program Goals
- Accurately analyze total patient care assessment data, develop a comprehensive plan of action, apply evidence based implementation measures, and evaluate patient outcomes utilizing professional values and ethics. (Patient Care and Teaching)
- Effectively assess, implement and evaluate the oral health needs of community based programs. To promote and support service activities that are essential to the profession of dental hygiene and to the public. (Service)
- Effectively evaluate and analyze scientific literature as a basis for evidence based practice. (Research, Patient Care & Teaching)
Commission on Dental Accreditation Posting Form for Third Party Comments
For questions contact
Admissions Coordinator
csohadmissions@twu.edu
940-898-2025
Page last updated 11:15 AM, August 30, 2024