Dental Education

Dental Hygiene

The dental hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. IU Northwest's Dental Hygene Program is located in the Dunes Medical / Professional Building.

Mission Statement of Commission on Dental Accreditation:

The Comission of Dental Accreditation serves the public by establishing, maintaining and applying standards that ensure the quality and continuous improvement of dental and dental related education and reflect the evolving practice of dentistry.  The scope of the Commission on Dental Accrediation encompasses dental, advanced dental and allied dental education programs.

Degree:

Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene  

Academic Features:

The dental hygiene program requires one year of prescribed liberal arts courses.  This freshmen year may be taken at any accredited college or university. 

A total of 35 credit hours must be completed with required courses including:

• W131 - English Composition (3 credits)
• C101 - Chemistry (3 credits)
• C121 - Chemistry Lab (2 credits)
• P101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
• S161 - Sociology (3 credits)
• S122 - Interpersonal Communication (3 credits) or S121 - Public Speaking (3 credits)
• A106 - Introduction to Computing (3 credits) or C106 - Introduction to Computers and Their Use (3 credits)
• P261 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
• P262 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
• M200 - Microorganism in Nature and Disease (4 credits) (prerequisite Fall 2008 )
• One Elective - (3 credits) examples below:
  • Foreign Language
  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Ceramics
  • Photography

The courses may NOT be taken on a pass/fail option.  Courses taken at other institutions must be approved for credit transfer by the Indiana University Northwest Admissions office, (219) 980-6821.  All prerequisites courses must show a grade of C or above to be accepted as credit by Indiana University Northwest Dental Hygiene Program.  Remedial courses cannot be used to fulfill prerequisite requirements. 

After acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program, the student attends two years (five semesters) of courses designed to provide the educational and clinical training necessary for the practice of dental hygiene.  The program course descriptions explain details of our courses.

Program Special Features:

The Dental Hygiene Program at Indiana University Northwest is fully accredited.  Graduates of the program are eligible to take the written National Board Examination and upon successful completion, can take The Northeast Regional Board (NERB) examination. After successful completion, the student is eligible for licensure in the state of indiana.

Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program can pursue a Baccalaureate Degree in General Studies through the Division Continuing Studies, Bachelor of Science in Helath Services Management thorugh the Division of Public and Environmental Affairs and Political Sciences; and Baccalaureate Degree in Health Occupational Education through IUPUI. 

Accreditations:

Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accreditation body recognized by the Council of Post Secondary Education and by the United States Department of Education.  

Career Options:

Employment opportunities are available in private dental practice (general or specialty), hospitals, educational institutions, business, and federal, state and community clinics.