Dental Hygiene Admission Criteria
Application for Admission
Admission into the Dental Hygiene Program is competitive. Students who meet the minimum admission criteria are eligible to submit an application for admission.
Application Deadline - May 20th for fall entry into the program
Eligible students must submit an application for admission to the Coordinator of Academic Support Services for the College of Health Sciences prior to the application deadline
Selection
Selection is based on the following weighted systerm:
Quality Points earned for prerequisite and any additional courses on Dental Hygiene degree plan (college credit earned through CLEP or AP for a course will not be used for ranking purposes) - 35%
Scored earned on the PSB Exam - 35%
Interview - 30%
NOTE: In the event that applicants have identical ranking scores, priority will be given to the student with the highest cumulative GPA. The top 16 applicants will be offered positions in the Dental Hygiene Program. Meeting the minimum criteria for admission or taking courses on the Dental Hygiene degree plan does not guarantee admission into the program. Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students chosen as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.
Additional Documentation
Students admitted into the Dental Hygiene Program must submit the following additional documentation prior to fall entry:
- Healthcare Provider Statement/Medical Release form
- Proof of immunizations
- CPR Certification: American Heart Association CPR for Healthcare Providers
- Criminal Background check (Students with an adverse or negative background check will be unable to complete the program objectives, halting continued progression in the student's program of study.)
PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Exam
This test will be given at least 5 times a year. Test information will be available the first week of each semester in the Student Advisement Center CC219, the Testing Center CC205 and on the College of Health Sciences web page.
Pay the UA Fort Smith cashier the $20.00 non-refundable examination fee and obtain a receipt. Take the receipt to the Testing Center and sign up for desired test date. NOTE: Test dates may be changed within the same testing cycle if space is available.
Tests are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the maximum number is reached. Students may register for a test until the working day before the test unless the maximum number has already been reached.
If a student does not test during the test cycle, the test fee will not be refunded and the receipt will not be held for the next testing cycle.
Students may take the test once per year, with the most recent score being used for ranking purposes. Scores may be used for two years following the date of examination.
2012 Exam Dates & Registration Form
Requirements
Students accepted into the Dental Hygiene program will be required to submit the following to CertifiedProfile.com.
Acceptable CPR certification:
American Heart Association "CPR for Healthcare Providers"
The immunization documentation required includes:
TST (two step tuberculin skin test initially then one step annually)
TD: Tetanus (must be within the last 10 years)
Hepatitis B (three injection series) or signed waiver
MMR (two if first immunization was before age 12 and born after 1957)
VZV (only for those students who have not had chicken pox) or signed waiver
Student Health Statement/ Medical Release forms need to be turned in at the front desk of the dental hygiene program.
Student Health Statement/Medical Release
Students accepted into any of the College of Health Sciences programs will be required to provide documentation of good physical and mental health by completing the Student Health Statement/Medical Release form. Documentation of all health problems and a medical release is required. Copies of immunization records and valid CPR certification must be submitted. No student will be allowed to attend a clinical rotation without the required health data records.
You may access the Student Health Statement/Medical Release form below:
Progression & Graduation
Science courses taken more than five years prior to entering the program will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Executive Program Director of the Dental Hygiene Program and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. See your advisor for more information and to request a science course evaluation.
The Dental Hygiene Program is competency based. To continue in the program, a student must maintain a 75 percent average in clinical performance and a 75 percent average through each didactic course
e.
A student dropped for academic or any other reason may apply for readmission if in compliance with the UA Fort Smith Student Academic Progress Policy as outlined in the course catalog. A student who discontinues the dental hygiene sequence for academic or any other reason must petition for readmission to the Dental Hygiene Program. The readmission requirements are found in the Dental Hygiene Program Clinical Policies and Procedures Manual (see the Readmission Criteria & Procedure Policy). The student is not guaranteed a position for readmission. A student who is readmitted is accountable for the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
A grade of “C” or better is required in ALL courses applicable to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene: must earn a minimum of 2.00 cumulative GPA in all course work required for the major; and earn a minimum of a 2.00 cumulative GPA on all work attempted at the University. The student must meet with the Coordinator of Academic Support Services to complete the graduation application the semester prior to graduation.
After being granted the Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene, the student is eligible to take the written National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the Clinic Examination to become a registered dental hygienist.
Clinical Education
The UA Fort Smith clinic, located on the grounds of the University, is a fully staffed dental hygiene clinic serving students in their preparation for future endeavors as registered dental hygienists. The clinic is equipped with 15 treatment rooms to serve the residents of the Fort Smith community for their dental hygiene needs. Theoretical instruction in infection control/aseptic techniques/safety practices, current principles of instrumentation, and assessment collection and procedures are brought into the clinical arena to be implemented by the student dental hygienist.
Career Opportunities
Registered dental hygienists are licensed oral health care professionals whose preventive services limit the extent of cavities and periodontal (gum) disease. They provide many services including cleaning teeth; taking X-rays; providing fluoride treatments; applying sealants; examining the condition of the mouth, teeth and gums; and educating patients to maintain optimal oral health. They are especially knowledgeable about the preventive aspects of oral health care and view prevention as their central focus.
Private dental practices
Dental supply and product companies
Correctional Facilities
Insurance Companies
Public health dental facilities
