The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree is a dental hygiene entry-level degree.  The program is basically in two segments.  The first segment consists of prerequisite and core coursework that can be taken at TWU or at any accredited higher education institution.  After acceptance to the dental hygiene program, the student then completes the second segment, which is composed exclusively of dental hygiene coursework. 

The TWU entry-level dental hygiene program is designed on the professional model of dental hygiene education and practice, which prepares the student not only to perform the traditional tasks of dental hygiene practice, but also focuses on incorporation of knowledge for evidence-based decision-making and accountability to the patient.  The focus is on meeting the specific health needs of the individual patient while working as a valuable member of an oral healthcare team led by the dentist, and who is also prepared to work in collaboration with other interdisciplinary healthcare professionals as appropriate.

 A major aim of the entry-level BSDH program is to prepare and encourage students to become caring, community-minded oral healthcare professionals and to be able to function within a variety of practice settings and roles.  The senior-level practicum course, community dental health practicum and clinical rotations provide off-campus experiences in the Denton-Dallas-Fort Worth area help accomplish that aim. The TWU Dental Hygiene Program labs and clinics provide low student to faculty ratios.

 The RDH to BSDH program is designed to provide individuals who have already completed their entry-level dental hygiene education at the certificate or associate’s degree level and have been licensed as dental hygienists, but wish to expand their credentials and knowledge.  RDH to BSDH students complete core coursework to qualify for a baccalaureate degree, but more importantly they add to their knowledge and skills to qualify for additional career areas within dental hygiene.  The BSDH opens up a wider range of additional career options not typically available to an associate-degreed dental hygienist such as in education, dental management, marketing, sales, and research that are almost exclusively open only to graduates with at least a baccalaureate degree, or to seek higher-level degrees that will even further expand employment opportunities.

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval  since 1974. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.