The Dental Hygiene program is a competitve entry major. Students must complete an application process and be accepted to be able to fully declare the Dental Hygiene major. Students who are coming in as first-time freshman or transfer students are placed in an academic focus area called Health Professions Dental Hygiene Interest (HPDH) until acceptance into the program.
Students will be in the health professions dental hygiene interest (HPDH) academic focus area while they complete ETSU’s Compass Core requirements and prerequisites to the program.
The Dental Hygiene program starts every fall semester and is 2 years, full-time, and
in-person. At the end of the program, students graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in
Dental Hygiene, and are eligible to sit for the licensing exam. The dental hygiene
facilities provide state-of-the-art training for the provision of dental hygiene services.
Learn More About Applying to the Dental Hygiene Program
The Dental Hygiene Program in the Department of Allied Health Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene as well as a BSDH online degree completion program.
The dental hygiene facilities include a 22-unit clinic, four x-ray machines and processing darkroom, instrument processing area, digital radiography equipment, a paperless office environment, spacious classroom and laboratory facilities, as well as a private locker room/lounge for students. Clinical experiences prepare the student for patient treatment enhanced by clinical rotations at several community clinics including: Friends in Need Dental Clinic in Kingsport, Keystone Dental Clinic in Johnson City, and Healing Hands Dental Clinic in Bristol.
If you are interested in continuing your education, ETSU offers an on-line Masters of Science in Allied Health.
The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the
American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education
specialist, and doctoral degrees. East Tennessee State University also may offer credentials
such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation
of East Tennessee State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA
30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's
website (www.sacscoc.org).