Why Choose ISU?
Degrees Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
Accreditation
The ISU dental hygiene program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. At the last accreditation review in 2003 the program met and exceeded accreditation standards and, in fact, received a commendation for providing a student-centered learning environment. Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program is required by law to be licensed as a dental hygienist in Idaho.
Graduate Performance on Licensing Examinations
The Idaho State Dental Practice Act requires graduates to successfully complete the written National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the clinical (practical) Western Regional Examining Board for licensure. Performance of ISU graduates on the national board examination has been exceptional. ISU has been consistently ranked in the top 10% of all U.S. programs. The pass rate on the WREB has regularly been 100%. The consistent outstanding performance of ISU graduates reflects the quality of education received at ISU. Besides Idaho, ten other states (Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington,) use WREB as the practical examination for licensure.
Predental Hygiene Curriculum
Students are admitted to the professional program after completion of two years of general education and science prerequisite requirements reflecting basic principles of baccalaureate education and preparing students for dental hygiene and clinical course work. Examples of General Education courses completed are English (6 credits), Algebra (3 credits), Statistics (3 credits), Speech (3 credits), Psychology (3 credits) and Sociology (3 credits). Science courses include Biology (4 credits), Anatomy & Physiology (8 credits), Microbiology (4 credits), Chemistry (7 credits) and Nutrition (3 credits). The Department of Dental Hygiene has formal articulation agreements with every public college/university in Idaho. Using the articulation agreements, students can transfer from other institutions to the ISU dental hygiene program without loss of credits. Articulation with most Utah schools also decreases the possibility of lost credits for those students attending Utah schools prior to transfer.
Dental Hygiene Curriculum
The professional program is designed to provide knowledge and experience for the competent delivery of a broad spectrum of care to the public. The curriculum prepares students for clinical practice in the assessment, prevention, and treatment of dental diseases. Students gain competency in numerous treatment modalities including preventive and nonsurgical periodontal therapy, pain control, restorative procedures, and supportive treatment. Students also learn to participate in community health and dental hygiene research programs.
Dental Hygiene Courses and Credits (74 credits)
- Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture I, II, III, IV - 8 credits total
- Clinical Dental Hygiene Clinic I, II, III, IV - 14 credits total
- Expanded Functions Lecture - 5 credits total
- Expanded Functions Clinic - 2 credits total
- Periodontology - 5 credits total
- Community Health and Special Needs Populations and Radiology - 4 credits each
- Managing Health Care for Medically Compromised Patients, Head and Neck Anatomy, Research Methodology - 3 credits each
- Preventive Dentistry, Oral Embryology and Histology, Pharmacology, Tooth Morphology, Local Anesthesia, Oral Pathology, Dental Materials, Ethics and Jurisprudence - 2 credits each
- Communication and Behavior Management, Personal & Career Development, Clinical Seminar, Dental Specialties - 1 credit each
Opportunities After Graduation
Graduates are able to apply for licensure anywhere in the U.S. because of the scope of the curriculum. After graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree, students have the opportunity to be employed in private dental practice, public health settings, hospital and long-term care facilities, as well as dental hygiene teaching and research. Graduates are also prepared to pursue graduate studies in dental hygiene or related fields and work as managers or consumer advocates.
Facilities
The instructional complex includes an on-campus clinic housing 33 chairs, six x-ray rooms, darkroom, and sterilization area. State-of-the-art dental equipment together with computers are used in the clinical curriculum. An additional on-campus facility includes two laboratories, one classroom, and one seminar room, a computerized teaching station, videotape capabilities, and a four station computer area with Internet access to promote student learning.
Faculty
The faculty is comprised of extremely well-qualified educators. One member has a PhD degree and the ten full-time dental hygiene faculty members have earned a Master's degree in dental hygiene or a related field. Seven out of the ten faculty members have 20 years or more teaching experience in dental hygiene and dental education. An additional thirteen part-time clinical dental hygiene faculty members and eight supervising dentists provide instruction in clinical courses. The faculty to student ratio in clinic is one to four. The achievements of the faculty are noteworthy. Publications and presentations in national and international arenas are credited to numerous faculty members. Kathleen Hodges edited and co-authored a dental hygiene textbook. ISU faculty contributed 15 of the 19 chapters. Research studies conducted by the faculty have been funded by federal and state agencies, the American Dental Hygienists' Association, and ISU. Faculty members also have contributed to the dental hygiene body of knowledge by contributing chapters to a variety of text books, articles for professional journals, and professional presentations.
Community Service
Each year approximately 1500 - 1700 patients receive dental hygiene care at the ISU Dental Hygiene Clinic. The Department of Dental Hygiene participates in the ISU Health Fair and provides oral cancer screenings and dental health education to 1000 individuals attending. In addition, dental hygiene students and faculty provide oral health education to over 2000 members of the community each year. Senior students also participate in clinical rural health activities including the Indian Health Service Dental Clinic.
Advisory Committee
The Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee is designed as a formal mechanism for maintaining a liaison between the ISU Dental Hygiene Program and the dental and dental hygiene professional community and associations. Five dentists and four dental hygienists from each geographic area of the state comprise the membership as well as one public health hygienist, one member of the Idaho State Board of Dentistry, one ISU supervising dentist, the Dean of the College of Health Professions, and the Chairperson of the Department. Meetings are held twice each year.