Students can apply for acceptance into the Intended Dental Hygiene (IDH) curriculum as a first-year student. Students can also opt to transfer courses from another institution. At the completion of the dental hygiene prerequisite courses, the student applies for consideration for acceptance into the Dental Hygiene program. IDH students are given priority for acceptance into the program.

The minimum requirements for acceptance into the dental hygiene program are a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a B- or better in all science prerequisite courses. Once in the dental hygiene program, a minimum of a 2.0 (C) grade is required in all dental hygiene courses, otherwise a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 is acceptable.

The Regis College Dental Hygiene Program reserves the right to request applicant interviews with the Dental Hygiene Program Director or designee.

Intended Dental Hygiene students: An IDH student, who has received two (2) failing dental hygiene prerequisite course grades, by either receiving a course grade below the required B- (80%) or a WF for a course withdrawal, will not be admissible into the dental hygiene program. The two (2) failing grades may be due to two (2) attempts of the same course or two (2) separate courses. A withdrawal from a course when failing (“WF”) is considered a failing grade attempt. Students who withdraw due to a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) from the university are exempt.

Students in the dental hygiene program: A dental hygiene student, who has received two (2) failing dental hygiene course grades, either by receiving a course grade below the required C (73%) or a WF for a course withdrawal, will be dismissed from the dental hygiene program. The two (2) failing grades may be due to two (2) attempts of the same course or two (2) separate courses. A withdrawal from a course when failing (“WF”) is considered a failing grade attempt. Students who withdraw due to a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) from the university are exempt. If a student in the program fails a dental hygiene course, he/she will not be able to progress to the next semester and will be required to repeat the course the following year if the student wishes to remain in the dental hygiene program.

Sample Curriculum Guide

The Regis College dental hygiene program does not admit students with advanced standing.

This is provided as a guideline — it does not reduce the importance of careful and regular discussions between a student and their academic advisor.

Associate's (AS) degree students complete their studies after year three and are not required to take courses marked with 4.

Year One (Intended Dental Hygiene - Program Prerequisites)

Fall Semester
Course Credits
RC 101 First Year Seminar 1 3
EN 105 Writing Seminar I 1 3
BI 105 Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab 1 4
CO 204 Public Speaking 1 3
CH 105 Introduction to Chemistry/Lab 4
Total 17
Spring Semester
Course Credits
ID 230 Interdependence of Healthcare Professions 1, 2, 3 3
EN 106 Critical Reading, Writing and Thinking 1 3
BI 106 Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab 4
BI 108 Microbiology/Lab 1 4
PS 242 Health Psychology 3
Total 17

Year Two

Fall Semester
Course Credits
DH 101 Dental Hygiene Theory I 3
DH 103 Dental Hygiene Clinic I 3
DH 105 Dental Anatomy and Histology 2
DH 106 Head Neck Anatomy and Embryology 3
DH 170 Dental Radiology 3
Total 14
Spring Semester
Course Credits
DH 102 Medical Emergency 2
DH 104 Dental Hygiene Clinic II 3
DH 108 Periodontology 3
DH 120 Dental Hygiene Theory II 2
DH 148 Dental Materials 3
Expressive Arts 1, 2, 4 3
Total 16

Year Three

Fall Semester
Course Credits
DH 203 Dental Hygiene Clinic III 4
DH 205 Pharmacology 3
DH 207 Oral Pathology 3
DH 209 Public and Community Health 3
DH 213 Dental Hygiene Theory III 2
DH 215 Pain Management Lab 1
Total 16
Spring Semester
Course Credits
DH 204 Dental Hygiene Clinic IV 4
DH 206 Ethics and Practice Management 1 2
DH 214 Dental Hygiene Theory IV 3
DH 220 Nutrition for Dental Hygienist 2
Philosophy 1, 2, 4 3
History 1, 2, 4 3
Total 17

AS Degree Total: 88 Credits

Year Four (Bachelor of Science Degree)

For BS students pursuing a concentration in business

Fall Semester
Course Credits
DH 310 Evidence Based Decision Making 3
MA 210 Statistics 1 3
MT 203 Principles of Leadership/Management 3
Business Elective 3
Literature 1, 2 3
Total 15
Spring Semester
Course Credits
DH 410 Dental Hygiene Capstone 5 3
Business Elective 3
Business Elective 3
Religious Studies 1, 2 3
Total 12

For BS students pursuing a concentration in education

Fall Semester (on-campus)
Course Credits
DH 310 Evidence Based Decision Making 3
MA 210 Statistics 1 3
Literature 1, 2 3
Total 9
Fall Online Semester One (first seven weeks)
Course Credits
DH 320 Curriculum Methods and Materials 3
Fall Online Semester Two (second seven weeks)
Course Credits
DH 330 Curriculum Development and Assessment 3
Spring Semester
Course Credits
DH 410 Dental Hygiene Capstone 5 3
DH 332 Online Learning Development 3
DH 440 Clinical Teaching Practicum 6 3
Religious Studies 1, 2 3
Total 12

BS Degree Total: 124 Credits

  1. Satisfies core curriculum requirement.
  2. Core curriculum course that may be taken in any order.
  3. First Year Seminar linked course
  4. Required only for bachelor's degree students.
  5. All students are required to complete an e-portfolio as part of graduation requirements through this capstone course.
  6. Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) licensure and permit L required.

Important Reminders

  • Students are expected to review and track their own progress towards completion of degree requirements.
  • Bachelor's degree students must complete 120 credits (this sample shows 124 credits).

Updated July 12, 2021

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