Department Information
Department of Allied Health Sciences
PO Box 70690
Phone: (423) 439-4497
Fax: (423) 439-4030
Web address: https://www.etsu.edu/chs/allied-health/dhyg/
Accredited by: CODA - Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
The Department of Allied Health Sciences offers a BS degree in dental hygiene. One class per year is admitted in the fall. Students are required to attend designated consecutive semesters to complete the program. Successful completion of the program enables students to take the National Board Exam for Dental Hygiene and clinical board exams as required for licensure leading to the credentials of Registered Dental Hygienist. The dental hygienist works with the dental team in the prevention and control of dental disease and has the opportunity to work in diverse settings. In addition to the private dental office, dental hygienists may work in such practice settings as: federal, state, and local health departments, hospitals, nursing homes, school systems, educational programs for dental hygiene and dental assisting students, private business/industry, correctional facilities, private and public centers for pediatric, geriatric, and other individuals/groups with special needs, and health maintenance organizations. The dental hygienist, a recognized member of the dental team, is devoted to helping patients prevent dental disease and maintain good oral health. The responsibilities of a licensed dental hygienist in Tennessee include scaling and polishing teeth, applying topical fluoride agents, placing pit and fissure sealants, providing nutritional counseling, exposing and processing dental radiographs, and educating the patient in the proper care of their teeth and supporting structures.
Admission - Students must be admitted both to the university and to the program, requiring separate application processes. Admission to the university does not ensure admission to the program. Application to the dental hygiene program requires submission of the online application form and submission of all college transcripts to the program. Completed application materials must be received by March 1.
The dental hygiene program at East Tennessee State University is participating in the American Dental Education Association Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (ADEA DHCAS). Applicants applying to the entry level Bachelor of Science program will apply online using the ADEA DHCAS application. To learn more about ADEA DHCAS, please visit www.adea.org/dhcas.
Expenses: In addition to the usual registration and tuition, students are required to purchase such personal items as uniforms, dental instruments, specialized textbooks, laboratory materials, and specialized equipment. Expenditures for these items, which are the personal property of the student, are approximately $5,000. Most of this additional expense occurs during the first year of study.
Retention - Progression Policy: Dental Hygiene students will be allowed to progress in the dental hygiene curriculum as all dental hygiene courses and basic science courses (Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry) are completed with a grade of C- or better. Progression status will be evaluated at the close of each semester. Students receiving less than a C- in any of the classes listed above will be placed on probation. A student on probation who receives a second grade of less than C- in one of the classes listed above will not be permitted to progress in the dental hygiene curriculum. Students earning a failing grade in any dental hygiene course will be reviewed by the faculty to determine feasibility of progression. Following the faculty review of student performance, an individual plan for curriculum completion will be presented for consideration for any student affected.
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