What is the Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program?

This program offered by The Ohio State University provides the opportunity for licensed dental hygienists with an associate degree or certificate to continue a formal education leading to a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.  This program consists of the University’s general education curriculum program (GEC), basic sciences, dental hygiene and area of specialization courses.  Students will find that many of the GEC’s, basic sciences, and up to 60 quarter hours of dental hygiene will transfer from the previous institution.  Additional clinical courses are not required.

Scheduling is flexible and students may enroll part-time or full-time.  Dental Hygiene courses are offered in an on-line/distance format designed to be convenient for working students. These courses may require 1-3 visits to Columbus each quarter, but weekly classroom attendance in Columbus is not required.  Basic sciences, GECs, and some area of specializations courses are available at Ohio State Lima and some may be transferable from other institutions.  A minimum of 45 quarter hours must be earned from Ohio State.

Admission is selective.  Applicants must be graduates of an ADA accredited dental hygiene program, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher, and be licensed or eligible for an Ohio license to practice dental hygiene.

Career Opportunities

This program prepares students with the additional knowledge and skills to assume roles of responsibility in a variant of settings such as:

• Educational programs for dental, dental hygiene, and dental assisting students

• School districts or departments of education

• Business/industry

• Federal, state and local health departments

• Hospitals and nursing homes

• Health Maintenance Organizations and Insurance companies

In addition, the graduate will have an educational foundation for graduate studies.

Faculty and Staff

The Dental Hygiene curriculum will be offered by an on-line/distance education format by faculty from the Dental Hygiene Program at The Ohio State University, Columbus campus. Courses taken here will be taught by faculty and staff from Ohio State Lima.