Nov 02, 2024  
University of Alberta Calendar 2024-2025 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2024-2025

Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene


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General Information


The Department of Dentistry offers a Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene). The Dental Hygiene Program enables students to acquire knowledge and develop understanding and abilities so that they may assume varied responsibilities in clinical practice, health promotion, teaching, community health care, and research.

The dental hygienist is an integral member of the health care team and strives to improve oral health by providing education, preventive services and therapeutic treatment to the public. The dental hygienist with a baccalaureate degree is a leader in developing, initiating and evaluating oral health interventions in diverse patient populations that prevent and control oral disease and promote oral wellness. The ultimate goal of a baccalaureate program is to educate professionals who contribute significantly to the improvement of oral health.

Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) graduates are prepared to work in a large number of settings including, but not limited to private dental practices, independent dental hygiene practice, research, education, industry, health care institutions or health promotion agencies. Graduates are prepared for intra and inter professional collaborative practice. This degree prepares graduates to pursue post baccalaureate or graduate level programs.

The Dental Hygiene curriculum includes courses from biomedical, behavioural and clinical sciences. In each year of the program, students participate in external practicum experiences within the city and surrounding districts in various community settings, such as hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, and community agencies/clinics. An experience in an external rural clinic is required.

The Dental Hygiene Program is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation Education of Canada. Successful students are eligible to complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (Canadian) and the National Board Dental Hygiene Examinations of the American Dental Association.

Further details may be obtained from the Director of the Dental Hygiene Program, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Orientation


It is mandatory that each student, after acceptance into the program, attend Orientation. This is scheduled immediately before the beginning of the first term of each year.

Course Requirements


The numbers following a course name indicate either the number of weeks assigned to the course or the number of hours spent in lectures, clinics and laboratories.

Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene)


Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program


A Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) Post Diploma Degree Completion program will prepare diploma dental hygiene graduates to participate more fully and productively in a health care system that emphasizes prevention, primary care, accountability, quality and cost effectiveness. The dental hygienist with a baccalaureate degree is a leader in developing and initiating oral health interventions that prevent and control oral disease and promote oral wellness, and in facilitating change itself. The ultimate goal of a baccalaureate program is to prepare students to contribute significantly to the improvement of oral health goals in current and future health care delivery systems by preparing well-qualified professionals with knowledge, skills, and awareness at the baccalaureate degree level.

The degree completion program will provide educational opportunities accessible to all qualified candidates tailored to the experienced dental hygienist, the adult learner and the distance learner.

Program A


Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program: University of Alberta, Dental Hygiene Diploma Graduates of 1998-2001.

This program is intended for students who graduated from the University of Alberta Dental Hygiene Program between 1998-2001. Dental Hygiene graduates of 1998-2001 have completed the extended diploma curriculum. The degree completion program consists of the following courses:

Note:

(at the 300- or 400-level with the approval of Program Director) A maximum of 3 units from PAC courses is permitted.

Program B


Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program: University of Alberta, Dental Hygiene Diploma Graduates (prior to 1998 as well as 2008 and forward) and dental hygiene graduates from other programs.

This program is intended for University of Alberta graduates prior to 1998 as well as 2008 and forward and diploma dental hygiene graduates from accredited dental hygiene programs in Canada and internationally.

The degree completion program consists of the following courses:

Note:

(with the approval of the Program Director, two at the 300- or 400-level) A maximum of 3 units from PAC courses is permitted.

Program C


Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program: University of Alberta, Dental Hygiene Diploma Graduates (Year 2002 - 2007).

Graduates of the University of Alberta Dental Hygiene Program of 2002-2007 will be required to complete the following courses:

Note:

(with approval of Program Director, two at the 300- or 400-level) A maximum of 3 units from PAC courses is permitted.

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