About Lipscomb
QUICK FACTS: DENTAL HYGIENE
Description of profession: Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases—both to protect teeth and gums and also to protect patients’ total health. They may remove plaque and tartar; expose, process and interpret X-rays; counsel patients; apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluoride or sealants to teeth.
Salary and employment opportunities: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center reports the average salary to be $56,000-$65,000 in 2008. Dental hygiene may provide opportunities for flexible schedules; some hygienists job share.
Education required:
Undergraduate: Usually 2 years. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center requires 58 hours of undergraduate work.
Professional: Generally the programs are 2 years in length. UTHSC offers B.S. degree in dental hygiene; Tennessee State University offers an Associate degree.
Admission requirements:
| Required courses (UTHSC): | 4 hours General Biology |
| 4 hours Microbiology | |
| 8 hours Anatomy and Physiology | |
| 8 hours General Chemistry | |
| Psychology, Sociology, English, Speech | |
| 3 hours Nutrition | |
| 6 hours Social Science Electives | |
| 7 hours of general electives | |
| (TSU): | 8 hours of Anatomy and Physiology |
| English Composition I | |
| Humanities course | |
| Grade Point Average: | UTHSC minimum GPA is 2.50 with a minimum 3.0 in the required courses to be competitive. TSU has a GPA requirement of 2.70. |