Philosophy
The Philosophy and Goals of the Professional phase of the Dental Hygiene Program reflect those of the University and School of Dentistry. The Philosophy encompasses the areas of teaching, service, patient care and scholarship.

The teaching philosophy of this Program is to prepare students who strive for excellence and ethical conduct in the provision of comprehensive dental hygiene care. A state of the science curriculum integrates the biophysical, clinical, and psychosocial sciences and facilitates the development of a knowledge-based practitioner. Patient care focuses on the individual needs of each patient and actively involves the patient in the treatment process to promote positive, long-term changes in health status. To prepare the dental hygienist for a dynamic interdisciplinary health care system, both didactic and clinical experiences explore practice in a variety of settings and with culturally diverse patients of all ages and health status. An atmosphere of mutual trust and respect increases the opportunity for instructor evaluation of student performance and improves the quality of feedback. Student self-evaluation is encouraged as a step toward becoming a practitioner who continually appraises the quality of his/her patient care. The student advising and remediation program allows for individualization of the curriculum and promotes intellectual growth. The challenging, collegiate atmosphere fosters the development of dental hygienists who are intellectually curious, critical thinkers and lifelong learners. The exposure to the humanities provides the student with the flexibility to adapt to societal change and to contribute to the community.

The Professional phase of the Dental Hygiene Program has a service philosophy to the University, the School of Dentistry, the students, the public and the profession of dental hygiene. The educational program graduates competent dental hygienists who are engaged in health care, education, research, and professional leadership nationwide. The provision of quality patient care is of primary importance in the dental hygiene teaching clinics at the School of Dentistry and the various community sites. Continuing education in changing concepts of dental health care is offered to health care professionals. A commitment to the education of the public and the profession is demonstrated by student and faculty involvement in the community and professional activities.

The scholarship philosophy is to conduct educational and clinical research to further develop the body of dental hygiene knowledge. This philosophy is facilitated by a commitment to the professional development of each faculty member. Faculty keep current and exchange instructional methodologies and research findings through oral presentations and written publications.

Goals for the Professional phase of the Dental Hygiene Program

• Prepare a qualified dental hygienist who will be competent with respect to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene Program Competencies for the Dental Hygienist.
• Maintain a contemporary dental hygiene program that reflects relevant and current dental hygiene practice.
• Provide a dynamic interdisciplinary dental and dental hygiene curriculum that integrates biomedical, clinical and behavioral sciences.
• Maintain recruitment activities and admission policies that ensure admission and retention of a diverse and qualified student body.
• Maintain a baccalaureate degree completion program to support and encourage continued formal dental hygiene education.
• Provide quality individualized patient centered dental hygiene care.
• Participate in collaborative community health promotion.
• Serve as a resource of oral health knowledge and education for the health care community.
• Engage in professional association activities.
• Demonstrate leadership in dental hygiene education and research.
• Provide service to the School of Dentistry and the university communities.

Competencies For The Dental Hygienist
Competencies for the Dental Hygienist identifies and organizes the knowledge and skills the graduate must acquire to become a competent practitioner in the delivery of dental hygiene services in clinical and alternative practice settings. The document also reflects a curriculum that is patient driven, competency based and criterion referenced.

These competencies serve to define the core content of the curriculum. The document provides a method of stating graduate knowledge and skills after completing the professional phase of the dental hygiene program, thus, establishing a basis for the content of all courses. The competencies set standards for identifying relevant content and provides guidance in making decisions related to pedagogy and course sequencing

The document also sets forth individual measurable competencies which a student must demonstrate to qualify for graduation and entry into the profession. These competencies assess the degree to which a student can provide the defined standard of dental hygiene care to patients.

Competencies for the Dental Hygienist should be viewed as dynamic standards which must be responsive to the professional environment. It is recognized that this educational plan will require regular review for continual improvement.

• The graduate demonstrates interpersonal communication skills to function successfully in a multicultural work environment with diverse populations.
• The graduate makes professional decisions affecting the practice of dental hygiene that satisfy legal, societal and ethical principles.
• The graduate performs routine evaluation of self and takes corrective action to address perceived deficiencies.
• The graduate critically evaluates the validity of new information, new products, and/or techniques and their relevance to the practice of dental hygiene.
• The graduate applies business and practice management skills.
• The graduate promotes health maintenance and disease prevention.
• The graduate applies the principles of infection control and environmental safety.
• The graduate obtains, records, updates and organizes accurate and complete medical/dental histories including pertinent psychological and socioeconomic information.
• The graduate performs, records and organizes a physical assessment appropriate for dental care.
• The graduate determines differential, provisional or definitive dental hygiene diagnoses related to and congruent with the diagnosis of the dentist and other health professionals.
• The graduate develops alternative dental hygiene care plans which are sequenced to address patient needs, consistent with assessment and diagnoses.
• The graduate establishes with the patient a mutually acceptable dental hygiene care plan.
• The graduate monitors and provides for patient comfort associated with dental hygiene care.
• The graduate delivers and/or manages the planned dental hygiene treatment and education in sequence and in accordance with accepted standards of care.

Program
The School of Dentistry at the University of Detroit Mercy offers a Certificate in Dental Hygiene with the option of obtaining a Baccalaureate degree. The majority of students graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. Graduates are eligible to take dental hygiene licensing examinations in any of the 50 states and the Provinces of Canada. A Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program is also offered for licensed dental hygienists who have a Certificate or Associate’s Degree. As a unit of the School of Dentistry, students gain exposure to all aspects of dental hygiene and dentistry. The application cycle begins anew each year; there is no waiting list.

Certificate Program Requirements
A candidate for the Certificate in Dental Hygiene must meet requirements for:

• required pre-requisite courses
• required dental hygiene courses

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
A candidate for the Bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 126 semester credit hours, minimum quality point averages and senior residency within the following areas:

• required pre-requisite courses
• required dental hygiene courses
• required core curriculum courses
• any elective courses as needed

Required Pre-Requisite Courses
The following must be completed before beginning the professional phase of the program. Notice: Pre-requisite courses are subject to change. Please consult the Dental Hygiene Program for current requirements.

Required Dental Hygiene Courses
Notice: The Dental Hygiene curriculum is subject to change. Please consult the Dental Hygiene Program for the complete and current curriculum.

Required Degree Completion Courses
The following additional course work is required of all students working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene.

The following are additional courses required of any licensed dental hygienist transferring into the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program.

Electives
Electives include any additional courses beyond those stated above necessary to achieve completion of 126 credit hours. This coursework may include an independent/directed study in the student’s particular area of interest.

Admission Criteria
Students may be admitted to any one of the three phases of dental hygiene education: Pre-Dental Hygiene; Professional Dental Hygiene; and Degree Completion.

Pre-Dental Hygiene Admission
Above average high school students (GPA of 2.7 or above) will be admitted into the School of Dentistry as pre-dental hygiene students. This acceptance does not guarantee admission into the professional phase of the Dental Hygiene Program. The advantage of admission into Pre-Dental Hygiene is the benefit of placement tests and the expertise of a Dental Hygiene advisor. The advisor will help in the correct selection of appropriate courses and in the presentation of your credentials for evaluation by the Dental Hygiene Admission Committee. In order to be admitted as a freshman, applicants must meet the general entrance requirements of the University. All pre-requisite courses are taken on the Mc Nichols Campus.

Professional Dental Hygiene Program Admission
Students apply to the program on or before February 1st to be considered for admission into the Professional Dental Hygiene Program. Between Twenty-five and Thirty-two students are admitted per year which begins at the end of May in the Summer Semester. The UDM Professional Dental Hygiene Program does not maintain a waiting list. Admission is competitive and starts anew each year based on the most qualified candidates. Students who are in the process of completing prerequisite requirements, either at the University of Detroit Mercy or another university, college or community college, may compete for admission into the Professional Dental Hygiene Program. Admitted students take all Professional Dental Hygiene courses at the School of Dentistry’s Corktown campus on a full-time basis. In addition to the course requirements for admission, the Admissions Policies require:

• An expected minimum Pre-requisite GPA of 2.7.
• An expected minimum Science GPA of 2.7.
• A minimum overall College GPA of 2.7.
• Written verification of employment or observation in a dental office.

Degree Completion Program Admission
Students who have previously received a Certificate in Dental Hygiene from the University of Detroit Mercy or an Associate's degree with a dental hygiene major from another college/university or community college, are licensed dental hygienists, and would like to complete their Bachelor of Science Degree may apply for admission. They must meet the following requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited Dental Hygiene Program
• An overall GPA of 2.5 or above in academic course work
• Successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
• A current license to practice
• Current CPR certification

Transfer Students
The dental hygiene program gives full consideration to students who wish to transfer from any accredited college or university. Students may transfer into Pre-Dental Hygiene, or may apply into the Professional Dental Hygiene or Degree Completion programs. Students who have already completed applicable courses will receive transfer credit. A maximum of 96 credit hours may be transferred from a four-year college or university. A maximum of 63 credit hours may be transferred from a community college, however, some colleges and community colleges have articulation agreements with UDM and an additional number of transfer credit hours can be accepted. Since the academic standing of each transfer applicant is evaluated on an individual basis, students are encouraged to consult with an advisor from the Dental Hygiene Program.