The Dental Hygiene program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. It is the only traditional Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program in Washington state. Completion of the dental hygiene curriculum requires a minimum of four full academic years of study. The first two years focus on a broad spectrum of courses, including; university breadth area core (BACR) requirements, competencies, and proficiencies, as well as dental hygiene prerequisite basic science courses that prepare students for the dental hygiene major. Once admitted to the program, students combine previous knowledge from general education courses and basic science courses into dental hygiene lecture and clinical coursework over a two-year period that includes five semesters. This two-year professional segment includes emphasis on dental sciences, community dental health, health research theory and clinical practice in traditional and expanded functions. Students treat dental patients under direct faculty supervision at the 46-chair Dental Hygiene clinic on the EWU Spokane campus, the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center and local community clinics. While in the program, dental hygiene students must participate as operators and patients for each other, to deliver and receive injections of local anesthetic, and administer/receive nitrous oxide sedation for dental hygiene learning experiences. 

Placement Record for EWU Dental Hygiene Graduates

Dental hygiene graduates are eligible to take national, regional, and state licensing examinations. Successful completion of the examinations enable baccalaureate dental hygienists to seek employment in private dental practices, health clinics, school programs, public health programs, hospitals, nursing homes, industrial clinics, college dental hygiene programs, corporations, and research. EWU dental hygiene graduates have an excellent placement record in Spokane and nationwide. 

General Admissions Requirements for Dental Hygiene Program

Access the Dental Hygiene Department website for current information on prerequisite coursework requirements and application procedures for admission to the program. Students interested in majoring in dental hygiene should contact the dental hygiene department early in their university program. Because enrollment is limited and the admission process is competitive, applicants who are admitted to the university and have successfully completed the prerequisite coursework may not be accepted to the Dental Hygiene program. 

Prior to acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program all students must:

• apply for admission to EWU and pay admission fees;
• attend one dental hygiene information session prior to applying to the dental hygiene program;
• complete all required Dental Hygiene program admission prerequisite courses and dental hygiene program admission requirements;
• complete the supplemental EWU Dental Hygiene application;
• apply to the EWU Dental Hygiene Program and pay the Dental Hygiene program application fee;
• have a Social Security Number SS# prior to entry into the program. Students without a SS# prior to fall entry are dismissed;
• have current immunizations records for Hepatitis B, mumps, measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and varicella; NO EXCEPTIONS;
• provide proof of seroconversion or presence of anti-HBs antibody;
• submit proof of a QT Gold TB blood test prior to the fall entry into the program;
• meet the essential functions required of a dental hygienist; 
• be willing to treat all patients assigned realizing the potential exists for transmission of bloodborne and other infectious diseases during patient care services;
• hold a current Health Care Provider CPR Certification;
• pass a state and federal background check; prior criminal convictions may prohibit a graduate from obtaining a license to practice dental hygiene.
• seek advice from a medical professional specializing in allergies if they suspect they may have a latex allergy.

Admissions Requirements for Transfer Students

Students transferring from either four-year institutions or community colleges must first apply for admission to the university through the EWU Admissions Office, that evaluates transfer coursework and upon request sends a copy of the transcript evaluation to the Dental Hygiene Program.

Transcripts and inquiries should be directed to Lisa Bilich, Chair of the BSDH program or Kasey Clark, Program Specialist.

Please visit the Dental Hygiene department web page for further information.

Each required prerequisite course must be completed with a grade ≥C+.
Program applicants may retake two of the five priority prerequisite sciences courses one time (BIOL 232, BIOL 233, CHEM 161, CHEM 162, FNDT 356).

University Competencies and Proficiencies

English 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance Exams 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

General Education Requirements (GER)

• Minimum Credits—180 cumulative credit hours 
  • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
  • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at Eastern, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at Eastern
• Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences

University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
Foreign Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List

All admitted students must officially Declare a Major by the time they reach 90 credits (junior standing).
Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term you expect to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

SOAR calculates based on these two catalog years.

1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Credit Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

Students who successfully earn a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from EWU should be able to do the following:

• assess the role of the dental hygienist on an interprofessional health care team;
• create an electronic portfolio that validates successful attainment of the Eastern Washington University Dental Hygiene Core Competencies for Entry into the Profession of Dental Hygiene; 
• demonstrate clinical competence through successful completion of all clinical requirements;
• develop programs that promote the health and well-being of a diverse society;
• integrate principles of leadership and advocacy in the professional roles of the dental hygienist;
• synthesize theoretical, experiential, and empirical knowledge from dental hygiene, scientific, and humanistic disciplines into the professional roles of the dental hygienist.