Dental Hygiene Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice
This program provides baccalaureate educated dental hygienists, who have graduated from an accredited institution, the opportunity to complete a certificate in dental hygiene. The focus is to augment the skills and education of the dental hygienist to become a community-minded oral health care provider with the intention of enhancing the oral health of underserved and diverse populations. The certificate will also prepare students who are interested in pursuing Metropolitan State University's master's degree program in advanced dental therapy practice, the Master of Science: Oral Health Care Practitioner, by offering courses that are prerequisites for this program.
Program Admission Requirements
- Official transcript from an accredited dental hygiene program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (calculated from all college coursework)
- CPR Certification
- HBV series completion and other immunizations
- Successful background check
- Professional liability insurance
- Documentation of an active dental hygiene license
If the 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 will be required to complete continuing education courses to meet these requirements.
Normandale Community College offers these pain management continuing education courses and B.S.D.H. students will be given priority admission. These requirements must be completed before enrolling in the Restorative Functions Clinic or Dental Hygiene Capstone courses. Students with questions regarding these requirements should contact the program advisor.
Application Process
- Attend an Information Session
- Complete the application form for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Dental Hygiene
- Submit $20.00 application fee
- Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Submit a 250-300 word essay related to how the applicant's talents, experiences, opinions, and career goals will enhance the oral health of underserved and diverse populations
Post Baccalaureate Certificate
A student will be required to complete 9-15 credits of dental hygiene coursework as listed below. The required certificate courses will be determined based upon the applicant's baccalaureate degree and/or career goals. Classes will be offered at the Normandale Community College campus.
The Dental Hygiene Certificate Courses
- DENH 310 Collaborative and Advanced Practice Dental Hygiene (4 credits)
- DENH 320 Management of Oral Healthcare Delivery (3 credits)
- DENH 420 Restorative Functions Theory and Lab* (3 credits)
- DENH 430P Dental Hygiene Capstone (4-5 credits) (Last course to be enrolled in)
*Requires more campus time and a significant lab fee; must be taken before enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Capstone course.
Other possible courses to choose from:
- DENH 330 Populations with Special Oral Health Needs (3 credits)
- DENH 410 Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice (3 credits)
- DENH Educational Concepts in Dental Hygiene (3 credits)
- DENH 440 Restorative Functions Clinic* (1 credit)
*An optional one credit course leading to Restorative Functions certification by the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry is available for student enrollment the semester immediately 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 Functions clinical requirements.