Bachelors of Dental Hygiene

The Dental Hygiene program at Pacific will:

1. Educate individuals who, upon completion of the program, will be professionally competent to provide quality dental hygiene care in an evolving profession
2. Provide patient-centered, quality care in an efficient clinical model that demonstrates the highest standards of service achievable
3. Provide opportunities for community-based, experiential learning
4. Continuous enhancement through professional development
5. Humanistic values that respect the dignity of each individual and foster the potential for growth in all of us
6. Application of theory and data for continuous improvement
7. Leadership in addressing the challenges facing the profession of dental hygiene, including dental education and affordable dental care

The program and its graduates will be distinguished by:

Humanistic Orientation 

University of the Pacific's Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry has long been recognized for the quality of its facilities, faculty, humanistic teaching approach, patient services and community interaction. It will bring these strengths and more to this new program.

Dental students note that faculty treat them as peers starting on the first day of school. University of the Pacific places great emphasis on self-confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, the collaborative, non-competitive relationships among current students is considered a great asset.

A career in dental hygiene offers multiple opportunities in a variety of settings. About 70% of dental hygienists practice in private dental offices. Providing direct clinical care, the hygienist plays an integral role on the dental team assisting patients to achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Alternatively, hygienists may choose dental hygiene careers in public health, research, management, special needs patient care, teaching and administration. 

For a more extensive list of dental hygiene work settings, please visit the following organization websites: 

American Dental Hygienists Association
California Dental Hygiene Association
American Dental Association

Dental hygiene is a rapidly growing profession. The U.S. Department of Labor advises that dental hygiene is projected to be one of the 30 fastest-growing occupations. Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth will stimulate demand for dental hygienists. Additionally, the local San Joaquin/Central Valley-area job market is very favorable for dental hygienists.

To accommodate the accelerated nature of the program (a three-year bachelor’s degree), students must take classes three semesters per year (rather than the typical two semesters per year schedule) in the first two years of the program. This means that students should add 50% to the charges for tuition and housing/food when looking at the normal yearly charges (that are based on a two-semester school year). Increased annual cost is balanced by the three-year vs. traditional four-year program design.

General Education Curriculum

Presented in the first half of this three-year, year-round program are general education courses providing a strong science background and a broad base in the humanities. There is a required course of study during these three semesters and summer session intended to provide the prerequisite background in biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, English and mathematics needed for dental hygiene science and clinical practice. Students will undertake this portion of their coursework, which is provided by the College of the Pacific, with the general undergraduate student population on the main campus. If you are a transfer student, the course presented in this first half of the programs are the courses for which you will need to have transfer equivalences. Learn more about transferring to Pacific here.

Chemistry 25: General Chemistry
5 units
General Education III C requirement fulfilled

Psychology 31: Intro to Psychology
4 units
General Education I A requirement fulfilled

Pacific Seminar I
4 units
General Education IC requirement fulfilled

Biology 61: Principles of Biology 
5 units
General Education III A requirement fulfilled

Chemistry 27: General Chemistry
5 units

Sociology 51: Intro to Sociology
4 units
General Education I B requirement fulfilled

Pacific Seminar II
3 units
General Education IIB requirement fulfilled

General Education: Human Concerns 
4 units
II B or C requirement fulfilled

Elective
4 units

Mathematics 37: Statistics and Probability
4 units
General Education III B requirement fulfilled

English 25 or Writing 21: Intro
4 units
General Education II B requirement fulfilled

Communications 27: Public Speaking
3 units

Biology 71: Human Anatomy
5 units

Biology 81: Human Physiology
5 units

Biology 145: Microbiology 
5 units

Total Units = 70

Dental Hygiene Curriculum

Professional training is undertaken in the second half of the program for four semesters. The curriculum provides students with knowledge of oral health and disease as a basis for assuming responsibility to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene services for both the individual patient and community oral health programs. Dental hygienists learn to develop patient counseling programs to encourage health promotion and disease prevention, and provide prescribed clinical patient care for patients of all ages, including those with special needs (medically compromised, mentally or physically challenged, and socially disadvantaged). Introductory courses include head and neck anatomy, dental radiology, oral health education, nutrition and biomaterials.

This foundation in basic and dental sciences is further enhanced with advanced courses in pharmacology, medical and dental emergencies, community oral health, ethics and jurisprudence. This portion of the program will be provided through the School of Dentistry in the dental hygiene facility on the main campus.

First Semester (15 units)

• Head and Neck Anatomy (2 units)
• Dental Anatomy (2 unit)
• Dental Radiology (2 units)
• Histology/Embryology (2 units)
• Dental Hygiene Practice (3 units)
• Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene (3 units)
• Oral Health Education (1 units)

Second Semester (17 units)

• Medical and Dental Emergencies (1 unit)
• Dental Hygiene Clinic I (7 units)
• Oral Pathology (3 units)
• Periodontics I (2 units)
• Pain Management/Local Anesthesia (2 units)
• Pharmacology (3 units)

Third Semester (17 units)

• Medical and Dental Emergencies (1 unit)
• Dental Hygiene Clinic II (8 units)
• Periodontics II (2 units)
• Community Oral Health (4 units)
• Pacific Seminar (3 units)

Fourth Semester (17 units)

• Dental Hygiene Clinic III (8 units)
• Biochemistry and Nutrition (2 units)
• Dental Materials (2 units)
• Ethics and Jurisprudence (2 units)
• Senior Project (3 units)
  • Community Health
  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Special Needs Patient Care

Total Units = 67

Through emphasis on the integration of general education, biomedical science, dental science, dental hygiene science and clinical practice components, students are taught to problem solve, interact with the dentist and the dental team, and treat a wide variety of patients. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to provide quality dental care to the public and to supplement and adapt their knowledge and skills throughout their professional lives.

1. What information do I need to submit by the application deadline?

Required submissions include an application form, essay, transcripts, standardized test scores and letters of recommendation.

2. If I apply as a transfer student, what are the recommended prerequisite general education course equivalents at my college?

Course equivalents for many colleges can be found on the Dental Hygiene Transfer Admission page.

3. Do I need to have all prerequisite courses completed at the time of application?

You may have coursework in progress at the time of application. All prerequisite coursework must be complete prior to entry into the professional portion of the program. Transcripts confirming completion must be filed with the Office of Admission.

4. May I utilize advance placement credits for prerequisite coursework?

The University has a protocol for utilization of advanced placement credits, which the Office of Admission will be happy to review with applicants. E-mail admission@pacific.edu or call 209.946-2211.

5. If I am a graduate of a dental assisting program, will I need to take all courses in the professional portion of the program?

Yes. Vocational units from a dental assisting program are not applicable for advance placement in the professional portion of the program. Skill proficiency may, however, make coursework easier in given subjects.

6. What is the application process if my prerequisite coursework was completed in a foreign country?

Upon application, the Office of Admission will research your course equivalents and advise you of any additional prerequisite coursework that might be necessary prior to application. We recommend application at the earliest possible date, as researching equivalents may be time intensive.

7. If I am a practicing dentist from another country, can I apply to the Dental Hygiene program?

You are eligible to apply to Pacific’s Dental Hygiene program if the prerequisites are met. You might also be interested in applying to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry’s International Dental Studies program, a two-year program that provides qualified graduates of foreign dental programs the opportunity to earn the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. For more information, please call 415.929.6688.

The application deadline for transfer students is Aug. 15 for the following January.

The Dental Hygiene program does not offer advanced standing in the professional portion of the program. Foreign dental school graduates must attend all dental hygiene classes in preparation for National and State Dental Hygiene Board examination.

8. What if a student isn’t accepted into the Dental Hygiene program, but wishes to enter Pacific under another major with the intent to change majors (into hygiene) in future?

Students are welcome to apply for admission to the University at large with the understanding that application for transfer into the professional portion of the hygiene program is on a competitive basis. An applicant who is a current student of the University of the Pacific will be guaranteed an interview for transfer admission into the program; however, they will not be guaranteed admission into the professional portion of the Dental Hygiene program based solely on doing prerequisite work at Pacific.

9. If accepted, can I take Dental Hygiene coursework on a part-time basis?

The coursework schedule, once accepted into professional portion of the program, must be completed in four sequential semesters of full-time coursework. The course schedule is anticipated to run from approximately 8 or 9 a.m. through 4 or 5 p.m. daily.