Bachelor’s Degree Requirements:
(Note: The required general education courses are determined based on the date of admissions into the Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies, pre-dental track. The required courses for the major are determined based on the date of matriculation into the Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene degree program.)
- Minimum 120 Credit Hours
- Minimum Cumulative UMA G.P.A.: 2.50
- Pass all courses applied toward degree credit with a C- or higher on first attempt or a student will be dismissed from the program.
- Writing Intensive Course
- 15 Credit Hours of Residency Courses
- 9 Credit Hours of Major Residency Courses
Clinical Course Prerequisites:
Immunization and CPR Requirements
The programs teach and utilize the Center for Disease Control Infection Control Guidelines. (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/hcw.html) and therefore dental hygiene students are strongly encouraged to have a physical examination, including eye exam and completing specified immunizations and titers, specifically: Hepatitis B Vaccine Series with Titre indicating immunity; Varicella vaccine, history of the disease, or titre showing immunity; Tetanus within the past 10 years; Flu vaccine each year enrolled in the clinical coursework. Students are also strongly encouraged to obtain and maintain medical insurance coverage and have the COVID-19 vaccine. Students must obtain and maintain certification in healthcare provider level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or equivalent.
*The CDC recommends repeating the Hepatitis B vaccine series and titre if the initial titre does not indicate immunity. If after a second series, the titre does not indicate immunity, the individual is considered a non-responder. Non-responders should be considered susceptible to Hepatitis B Virus and should be counseled by their own healthcare provider regarding the risks of working in the healthcare field as a non-responder. Being a non-responder does not preclude students from participating in the dental hygiene program or profession, however, it is imperative that dental hygiene students be aware of their immune status to properly manage post exposure incidents.
Background Checks Drug Use Screening:
A criminal background check may be required while enrolled in the program and/or as a condition of professional employment. Internship sites may limit or deny clinical privileges to those who have a prior or current criminal record. If denied clinical privileges, the student is at risk of not being able to obtain the number of clinical hours required for graduation. Students will be expected to provide clinical internship sites with a current background check at the request of the interning site(s), with associated expenses the students’ responsibility. Students of the dental hygiene program should also be aware that full disclosure regarding criminal background checks could preclude the ability to obtain professional licensure. For Internship sites that require a drug use screening, UMA must provide verification that students participating in the Internship have successfully met all vaccination, background screening, and substance use screening requirements as established by the Internship site. It is understood that students (or their parents or guardians as the case may be) shall be responsible for their own substance use screening, background check, and vaccination expenses.
General Education:
It is the intention of the University of Maine at Augusta that every degree graduate will be prepared to function in our society as an effective and informed citizen. To this end, the faculty has designed a set of minimum expectations that students are expected to satisfy. The aspirations are defined by core skills, competencies, and abilities as well as knowledge based learning experiences that are the grounds for the General Education Requirements. To learn more, visit www.uma.edu/academics/general-education/
Advising Notes:
A cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.75 is required to transfer into the program and a cumulative 2.50 UMA G.P.A. to remain in the program unless offered Dental Hygiene Academic Contract. Please see the UMA catalog for the program’s probation policy.
A student who falls below the minimum cumulative 2.50 UMA G.P.A. while enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program may be placed on Dental Hygiene Academic Contract.
Students dismissed from the Dental Hygiene program may transfer/apply to another degree program at UMA for which they may be eligible.
Students should meet with their faculty advisor to verify readiness for graduation prior to submitting a graduation card.
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