Transfer Admissions Requirements: Dental Hygiene

The Program in Dental Hygiene was established at the University of Minnesota in 1919, is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and is the only dental hygiene program in Minnesota that grants a Bachelor of Science degree and is affiliated with a school of dentistry. The program blends a solid dental hygiene clinical education with the biological, behavioral, and social sciences, as well as the liberal arts. The accelerated dental hygiene program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in three years (rather than completing a traditional four-year program). Students complete one year of prerequisite courses, followed by six consecutive semesters of professional courses.

In September 2009, the University of Minnesota became the first dental school in the nation to educate dental therapists. Dental therapists perform basic preventive services, drill and restore teeth for children and adults, and remove primary (baby) teeth under supervision by a Minnesota licensed dentist. To better meet the needs of oral health care providers and patients in Minnesota, the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene/Master of Dental Therapy dual degree program was created in 2016. Dual-licensed hygienists/therapists provide flexibility in meeting the preventative and restorative needs of patients. Students complete 1 year of prerequisite coursework, followed by a 32 month year round program.

Degree options:

  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene/Master of Dental Therapy

Dental Hygiene Website

Prerequisite coursework and admissions requirements

Transfer applicants must have:

  • Completed all the prerequisites or indicate a plan to do so prior to entry. Lists of specific courses are available on the School of Dentistry's website.
  • Completed most of the University's liberal education requirements. Students may fulfill some of the requirements with courses in the pre-professional or professional programs.

Admission to the Dental Hygiene and the Dual Degree Dental Hygiene/Dental Therapy programs is competitive and occurs once a year for fall semester entry. All applicants, regardless of date of high school graduation, must submit a high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores if they have not already obtained a bachelor’s degree. In addition to completing this online application, all applicants must complete either the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene application and/or the Dual Degree Dental Hygiene/Dental Therapy supplemental application, which are available online. For more information, visit www.dentistry.umn.edu.

Applicants who have completed the application by the deadline will have their application materials referred to the program office for consideration.