Dental Hygiene (BSDH) Baccalaureate Completion Program
This program provides associate degree dental hygienists from accredited institutions an opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH). Completion of a baccalaureate degree provides you with new and different opportunities to become a successful oral healthcare professional. An important benefit may be broader employment prospects in either traditional and/or non-traditional work settings. Industry alternative work settings may include: local, state, and federal health programs; research and development; sales; education; school-based programs; and marketing.
The dental hygiene baccalaureate completion program is designed to meet the educational goals of dental hygienists from across the state. Offered primarily on-line, students can participate in their education while maintaining a clinical practice. Building upon previous dental hygiene degree, the program focuses on expanding dental hygiene knowledge and skills, as well as, deepening professional growth in your role as a community minded dental hygienist. This program is designed for students attending on a part-time basis. This program also prepares students who are interested in pursuing Metropolitan State University's master's degree program the Master of Science in Advanced Dental Therapy degree (MSADT).
Acceptance to the Program
To be eligible for acceptance to the Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate Completion program, students must submit an Undergraduate Program Declaration Form when the following is completed:
- Official transcript from an accredited dental hygiene program demonstrating successful completion (or letter from program director or dean if within 15 credits of graduation)
- Official transcripts of all other college and university coursework
- Cumulative GPA of 2.50 (4.00 scale - calculated from all college coursework)
- Appropriate documentation of an active dental hygiene license (or letter from program director if within final semester of graduation)
If an applicant's dental hygiene license does not meet Minnesota's dental hygiene requirements, specifically with regard to the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation, the applicant may be required to complete continuing education courses to meet these requirements depending upon the student's goals for the program.
Normandale Community College offers pain management continuing education courses and BSDH students will be given priority admission. Students with questions regarding these requirements should contact the program advisor or program faculty.
Program Requirements
The degree requirements for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene include:
- A minimum of 120 semester credits, including
- 48 credits of General Education Liberal Studies course work across the 10 Goal Areas (MnTC)
- A minimum of 30 credits completed at Metropolitan State University
- A minimum of 40 upper-division level semester credits (GELS and major program courses)
- Completion of all dental hygiene major requirements
Transfer Agreements
Metropolitan State University has articulation agreements with several dental hygiene programs enabling a seamless transfer of general education and dental hygiene credits from a dental hygiene associate degree program to Metropolitan State University's BSDH program.
Courses
Many courses in the dental hygiene curriculum employ online teaching/learning strategies. Online coursework provides you flexibility and convenience while completing your baccalaureate degree. The following courses are required:
- STAT 201 Statistics I (4 credits)or equivalent
- WRIT 331 Writing in your Major (4 credits)
- PHIL 321 Medical Ethics (4 credits)
- DENH 310 Collaborative and Advanced Dental Hygiene Practice (4 credits)
- DENH 320 Management of Oral Health Care Delivery (3 credits)
- DENH 330 Populations with Special Oral Health Needs (3 credits)
- DENH 410 Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice (3 credits)
- DENH 430P Dental Hygiene Capstone (4-5 credits)
Choose one from the following two courses, the chosen course must be completed prior to enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Capstone course:
- DENH 420 Restorative Functions Theory and Lab (3 credits) or
- DENH 340 Educational Concepts in Dental Hygiene (3 credits)
The Restorative Functions Theory and Lab course requires significant on campus attendance for successful completion and includes a lab fee. The majority of the upper division dental laboratory and clinical coursework takes place at Normandale Community College.
An optional one credit course leading to Restorative Functions certification by the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry is available for student enrollment the subsequent semester following successful completion of the Restorative Functions Theory and Lab course. This optional course requires contractual agreement with a dentist for completion of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry Restorative Function Clinical requirements.
- DENH 440 Restorative Functions Clinic (1 credit)
Clinical Requirements
These requirements apply to students enrolled in DENH 440, Restorative Functions Clinic, and/or students implementing a clinical component to DENH 430P, Dental Hygiene Capstone.
- Appropriate documentation of an active dental hygiene license
- Evidence of current professional liability insurance
- Documentation of required immunizations
- Evidence of successful background study
- Evidence of current CPR certification
- Evidence of HIPAA training
- Evidence of current health insurance
