The Dental Hygiene program is a four semester and one summer session program within a cohort that prepares individuals to work in general and specialty dental offices, and public health agencies. Emphasis is placed on the correlations among prevention, education, and the clinical phases of dental hygiene practice as well as basic and social sciences. The curriculum is organized in accordance with requirements of the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation for a Dental Hygiene program and with consultation from the Maui County Dental Association.

The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, https://www.ada.org/100.apsx. Graduates are eligible to take the National Board of Dental Hygiene Exam, National Clinical Examination, and apply for licensure with the Hawai‘i Board of Dental Examiners.

The following minimum courses (19 credits) are required of students entering the Dental Hygiene program: ENG 100(3); MATH 100, 103, or
115(3); MICR 130(3), MICR 140(2); PHYL 141(3), PHYL 141L(1), PHYL 142(3), and PHYL 142L(1), all with grade C or better. General Education AS credits (see below) may be completed early to reduce course-load and be more competitive in the selection process. Science lecture courses required for admission have a 10-year time limit, which must be completed within the last 10 years prior to application deadline. A “lab” course (e.g., PHYL 141L/142L) does not have a time limit, and may be repeated online in the UH system as a 3-credit lecture-only course.

Admission is every other year: application deadline for Fall 2019 Cohort is May 1, 2019. Admission to UHMC does not guarantee admission to
the Dental Hygiene program. Courses may be repeated once to raise a grade, with the higher grade used for admission purposes. The application process includes an interview and writing exercise. In event of a tie (students with same points on Program Application), the student with the highest UHMC GPA is offered admission to the program. All qualified Hawai‘i State residents will be considered before any qualified non-resident. Dental Hygiene majors are assessed a professional fee of $500 per semester. Visit the UH Maui College dental website at maui.hawaii.edu/dental.

• Provide comprehensive dental hygiene care to clients of diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate the academic and clinical knowledge and skills required for the profession of dental hygiene.
• Providing lifelong learning opportunities for Hawai’i’s workforce that is designed to improve workforce skills and career progression.