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School of Dentistry

Dental Hygiene, BS

As licensed health professionals and oral health educators, dental hygienists play an important role in the overall health and welfare of the public. They’re an integral part of the dental team, providing direct patient care based on the prevention of disease.

A dental hygiene degree provides the knowledge, attitudes, and skill necessary to be successful in a wide variety of rewarding and challenging careers. Opportunities include:

  • Clinical/patient care
  • Administration
  • Education
  • Research
  • Advocacy

Dental hygienists are employed in diverse settings, such as private dental practices, clinics, hospitals, geriatric and special needs homes, correctional facilities, public health departments, school systems, allied dental education programs, national, state and local government agencies, and private/business industry.

Your Degree Plan

Our unique 4-year program opens the door to many career options, from providing clinical care to research to public administration.

WVU Dental Hygiene program offers a unique integrated 4-year curriculum, culminating in a bachelor of science degree.

The program is constructed in accordance with Commission on Accreditation of the American Dental Association standards and has been fully accredited by this organization since 1965.

You’ll complete a minimum of 31-37 general education foundation credit hours, as well as courses in dental hygiene, dental science, biomedical sciences, and dental hygiene elective courses. To graduate, you must earn a total of 133-134 credit hours.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • 1st and only 4-year integrated bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene.
  • Low faculty-to-student ratio in classes, labs, and clinic.
  • Students spend 6 semesters providing direct patient care.
  • 8-week Rural Site Externship provides experience in a rural dental practice.
  • Team-oriented programming within the dental school.
  • Over the last decade, 74% of students were employed prior to graduation and 87% of graduates found employment within 2 months after graduation.
  • Facilities include an advanced simulation laboratory where students become familiarized with and acquire the skills needed before working with actual patients.
  • WVU School of Dentistry is West Virginia’s only dental school. Over 80% of West Virginia dentists are graduates of our DDS program.
  • Many Dentistry faculty members and graduates are recognized leaders in dental education and organized dentistry.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Extensive hands-on experience ensures you’re confident and prepared. All WVU Dental Hygiene students complete:

  • 6 semesters providing direct patient care in the on-campus student clinic.
  • 8 weeks of patient care performed off campus (externship) in rural care area.
  • A 2-year undergraduate research project.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $94,260

Possible Job Titles: Dental Hygienist, Hygienist, Licensed Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

Explore Career

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Dental Hygiene major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Requirements for direct admission to the Dental Hygiene program

You must meet the following requirements:

  • High School GPA: 3.7
  • ACT Composite: 24
  • ACT Math: 20
  • SAT EBRW and Math: 1180
  • SAT Math: 520

Tuition and Aid

How much does Dental Hygiene at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Dental Hygiene, BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

Want to know more about Dental Hygiene at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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