Admission Information

A sophomore class is admitted to the Dental Hygiene program once each year in the fall.  Applications are accepted through January 12, 2010 for students applying for admission for fall 2010.  The Division of Dental Hygiene sets its standards and requirements for admission, and admission is competitive.

For specific information, click on a topic below:

GPA Requirements
Required Entrance Test
High School Course Preparation
Prerequisite Courses Required
Admissions Criteria
English Proficiency
Diversity Statement
Early Notification Admission
University Immunization Policy

  GPA Requirements
Applicants must have a minimum of 2.0 prerequisite, science, and cumulative GPA and a minimum of a C grade in all prerequisite courses to be considered for admission.  However, acceptance is on a competitive basis and an average well above this is usually necessary to be admitted.

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  Required Entrance Test
All applicants are required to take the ACT (SAT can be substituted) examination and submit the composite score and sub-scores with their application materials.  For information about testing services at the University of Minnesota contact University Counseling and Consulting Services, 612-624-3323, or www.uccs.umn.edu 

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  High School Course Preparation
All applicants who graduated from high school in 1987 or since, must have completed the University of Minnesota high school course preparation requirements:

• Four years of English, with emphasis on writing, including instruction in reading and speaking skills and in literary understanding and appreciation;
• Three years of mathematics, including one year each of elementary algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra;
• Three years of science, including one year each of biological and physical science and including laboratory experience;
• Three years of social studies, including one year each of geography (or a combination of courses incorporating geographic studies, e.g., world history, western civilization, Latin American studies, etc.) and U.S. history;
• Two years of a single second language; and
• One year of visual and/or performing arts, including instruction in the history and interpretation of the art form (e.g., theater arts, music, band, chorus, orchestra, drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, etc.).

All High School preparation requirements must be completed prior to entry into the Dental Hygiene program.

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 Prerequisite Courses Required
The following courses or their equivalents at other accredited institutions must be completed prior to entry into the professional dental hygiene program (by August 15 of year of entry into the professional program). All prerequisite courses must be taken on an A-F grading system. Biology and Chemistry must be taken within five years of entry into the program and one or the other must be completed prior to application so grades are on the transcript submitted at the time of application. In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to have completed composition and psychology and/or sociology prior to application so grades are on the transcript submitted at the time of application. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 pre-professional, science and cumulative GPA and a minimum of a C grade in all pre-professional courses to be considered for admission
 

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 Admissions Criteria
All applicants are considered for admission based on individual review of their credentials using the following primary and secondary review factors:

Primary Review Factors:

• Cumulative grade point average
• Pre-professional grade point average
• Science grade point average
• ACT composite score
• TOEFL score, if applicable (minimum 79); Internet based TOEFL only
• Challenging pattern of prior coursework (e.g. number of science courses taken, credit load, overall consistency in academic performance)
• Written communication skills

Secondary Review Factors:

• Personal achievement, aptitude not reflected in academic record
• Coursework in related discipline
• Work experience in related field
• Presence of diversity factors

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  English Proficiency
The Division of Dental Hygiene requires all applicants who are non-native speakers of English and who have ACT English and reading scores of 17 or lower (or SAT verbal score of 420 or lower), to submit a TOEFL (Internet based) score of at least 79. The TOEFL must have been administered within two years prior to the date of application to the program. Verification of score(s) must be received by the application deadline.

You may be exempt from this requirement if:

• You have successfully completed 26 or more transferable semester credits at a two- or four-year post-secondary institution in the United States and have completed the full freshman English requirement at that school with a grade of C or better; or
• You have successfully completed 60 or more transferable semester credits at a two- or four-year post-secondary institution in the United States.

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  Diversity Statement
The Division of Dental Hygiene seeks to foster a diverse student body of thought, interest, background, and intellect. Diversity enhances the educational experience of all students and better prepares our graduates to practice dental hygiene in today's world. In evaluating an applicant's potential contribution to diversity, the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee considers the following factors:

• Geographic diversity
• First generation college student
• Personal or family adversity
• Psychomotor ability
• Gender (males are underrepresented in the dental hygiene profession)
• Racial and ethnic diversity
• Documented disability
• Disadvantaged educational background
• Evidence of outstanding leadership
• Unique work or service experience
• Experience and/or interest in research or teaching
• Interest in providing dental hygiene services to underserved areas

The Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee ensures that all qualified applicants receive individualized consideration within the admissions process.

  Early Notification Admission
To be considered for Early Notification Admission to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Program in Dental Hygiene, the applicant must meet the following criteria and meet with the Director of the Division of Dental Hygiene or the Chairperson of the Division of Dental Hygiene Admission Committee for final approval:

Applicants must:

• Complete of a minimum of one semester of full-time (minimum 12 credits) college coursework.
• Achieve a minimum ACT composite score of 24.
• Complete of two of the three pre-professional required science courses (anatomy, biology, chemistry) with a minimum B+ grade in each course (within five years of entry).
• Complete of pre-professional required composition, sociology and/or psychology with a minimum of B+ grade in each course.
• Maintain minimum B+ grade point average for all terms after notification of early admission.
• Provide of documentation of observation/shadowing of a dental hygienist in clinical practice.
• Complete of all components of the application process.

If one or more of the above criteria are not met, the applicant will not be considered for "Early Notification Admission" but will be considered in the regular admission process.

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  University Immunization Policy
Required student immunizations and vaccinations are to comply with Minnesota State law and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. Students may be expected to have other requirements by individual schools.

Upon admission to the AHC academic programs, students are required to submit proof (signed by health care provider) of the following immunizations and vaccinations:

Required: Form must be submitted prior to beginning Fall Semester classes. The appropriate form will be sent to you upon acceptance to the program.

Required Tests and Immunizations

1. Hepatitis B. Report 3 doses of the vaccine or antibody titre results documenting immunity. Antibody titres are blood tests that may be ordered by a physician to evaluate immunity.
2. Varicella (Chicken Pox). Report 2 doses of the vaccine or history of the disease. If you are unsure whether or not you have had varicella, you must submit an antibody titre documenting immunity or proof of two immunizations.
3. Measles (Rubeola). Report 2 doses after age 12 months or antibody titre results documenting immunity.
4. Mumps. Report 1-2 doses after age 12 months or antibody titre results documenting immunity
5. Rubella (German Measles). Report 1-2 doses after age 12 months or antibody titre results documenting immunity
6. Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td). Report most current dose, within the last 10 years.
7. A 2-step Mantoux (PPD) test. This test involves placement of a purified protein derivative (PPD) to test for tuberculosis. It must be read 48-72 hours after placement, and the area of induration recorded. In compliance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the AHC requires a 2nd PPD test to be performed two weeks after the first test. This two-step Mantoux test is a requirement. If you have had a two-step Mantoux more than one year ago, you should have a standard Mantoux test each year (a two-step test is required only once). Clearance must be current each year and requires a Mantoux test each year. Submit results each year to Boynton Health Service on the provided form.

If you are a student at the University of Minnesota who pays a student service fee, Boynton Health Service provides ambulatory medical care and many other services. However, these required immunizations are NOT covered by student fees, and it is in your interest to secure appropriate documentation rather than repeating immunizations (at a cost of over $300) or requesting antibody titres on campus. Annual Mantoux tests are covered by student fees.

If you have a medical exemption to any requirement, it may be documented on the Immunization Record. If you have a conscientious objection, you should contact your school or college. Conscientious objections do not meet the requirement for clearance.

As a future health professional, we know you take the control of infectious disease seriously, and we appreciate in advance your efforts to comply with these policies that are designed to protect you and your patients.

The Clearance Process

1. Ask the health provider(s) who have your medical records to complete the required Immunization Record. It MUST be completed by a provider (defined as an MD, DO, RNC, PA, NP, or RN).
2. Mail the form to Boynton Health Service as indicated. Boynton is not responsible for placing or removing registration holds, only for issuing student clearance. Boynton will review your completed form, and it will be part of your medical record.
3. If you have completed all requirements, you and your school/college will receive confirmation of your clearance, and you will be allowed to enroll in classes and clerkships. If you have not completed all requirements, you will be notified of which requirements are unfulfilled and how to complete them. Your school/college will not be notified of your clearance to enroll until you have completed all requirements and have received confirmation from Boynton.

CPR Certification Policy

The American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation requires that all students, clinical faculty, and appropriate support staff be able to perform basic life support procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and manage other medical emergencies. In compliance with this standard, students, clinical faculty, and appropriate support staff are required to take an American Heart Association Basic Life Support Training Course (level C) (AHA BLS) provided by the University of Minnesota Life Support Program, and scheduled during the sophomore and senior year orientation sessions.

HIV and HBV Prevention Program

Applicants to the program need to be aware of the following Minnesota Dental Practice Act HIV and HBV Prevention Policy, which will affect those applicants/students who are HIV and/or HBV positive. The Practice Act stipulates that:

• A licensed dental hygienist who is diagnosed as infected with HIV or HBV must report that information to the Commissioner of Health promptly and as soon as medically necessary for disease control purposes, but no more than 30 days after learning of the diagnosis or 30 days after becoming licensed in the state.
• The Minnesota Board of Dentistry may refuse to grant a license or may impose disciplinary or restrictive action against an HIV/HBV infected dental hygienist who fails to comply with any of the requirements of the Board or with any monitoring or reporting requirement
• After receiving a report that a regulated person is infected with HIV or HBV, the Board of Dentistry or the Commissioner of Health shall establish a monitoring plan for the infected dental hygienist. This plan may address the scope of practice of the individual, required submission of reports and other provisions that the Board deems reasonable.

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Revised 8/13/07