School of Dentistry

Bachelors of Science Degree Completion Program
WASC Accreditation Pending


Program Mission Statement:
The mission of Loma Linda University BSDH is the same as the one set forth by the School of Dentistry for the traditional BSDH program. This mission is to further the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ by providing an environment in which: students learn to provide high-quality oral health care based on sound scientific principles; patients receive competent care that is preventive in purpose and comprehensive in scope, and that is provided with compassion and respect; faculty, students, and staff value the patient relationship, respect diversity, and share responsibility by working together toward academic, professional, spiritual, and personal growth; scholarly activity and research provide a foundation for evidence-based learning and enhance whole-person care; the workplace environment attracts and retains a superior and diverse faculty and staff who motivate, educate, and serve. Our Communities (local, global, and professional) benefit from our service, stewardship, and commitment to life-long learning.

This program will provide a unique opportunity to share the Christian and service values embodied by Loma Linda University. BSDH students will take courses in religion enabling them to value the “wholeness” perspective of Loma Linda University. During the synchronous format, students will interact with LLU faculty where role-modeling can occur in similar ways to being on campus. Students and faculty from other dental hygiene programs frequently comment on the different “feeling” and positive atmosphere of LLU. The proposed format of the BSDH program will enable students to learn about and experience the program based upon Christian principles and values.


Program Goals:
This program is designed to provide a certificate-program or associate degree in dental hygiene graduate with an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene. In addition, this program is specifically designed to provide learning opportunities which will enable the graduate to enter the fields of dental hygiene education or public/community dental health services.


Program Objectives:
It is our aspiration to meet the needs of the dental hygiene community by offering a degree completion program with a B.S. in Dental Hygiene with emphasis on the two areas of teaching/education and public health. Each entering class will enroll 10 students and take approximately three years to complete at part-time enrollment.

Upon completion of the Dental Hygiene Degree-Completion Program, the graduate’s knowledge will be enhanced to:

  1. Support the University’s mission in a variety of health care, educational, community, and research settings, beyond a traditional dental office setting.
  2. Understand and comprehend research methodology to evaluate scientific literature.
  3. Identify new products and/or techniques needed for education or public health in the field of dental health.
  4. Increase awareness of ethics in the education or public health setting.
  5. Develop pedagogical skills to enable the graduate to educate in public health or education settings.

Program Design:
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program will be based on the ten Dental Hygiene core competencies which are interwoven with the University’s mission statement “To Make Man Whole”. It is through these core competencies that students incorporate their belief in God with their service to patients.

Core Competencies in Dental Hygiene:
Competency 1: Apply a professional code of ethics in all patient and professional interactions.

Competency 2: Understand and adhere to the federal/state legal and regulatory framework in the provision of dental hygiene services.

Competency 3: Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the provision of dental hygiene care to promote whole patient health and wellness.

Competency 4: Assume professional responsibility for the provision of dental hygiene care centered on the current evidence-based, scientifically accepted standard of care.

Competency 5: Commit to self-assessment, life long learning and professional growth.

Competency 6: Advance the profession through research, service activities and affiliations with professional organizations.

Competency 7: Provide quality assurance for the provision of health care services and education to the dental hygiene consumer.

Competency 8: Communicate with persons of diverse cultures.

Competency 9: Provide accurate, consistent, and complete documentation for assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation as part of the dental hygiene process of care.

Competency 10: Provide individualized patient care that is humane and empathetic.

Degree requirements:
Degree requirements for Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene:
Total quarter credits: 192 quarter units
Transfer units: maximum from junior college 105 quarter units
Transfer units: senior (4yr) college/university 49 quarter units
and/or Credit by Exam
LLU courses 38
Total units for BSDH degree 192


Dental Hygiene BS Completion Major Requirements:

Core Courses:
DNES 305 Etiology and Management
DNHY 390 Introductory Statistics
DNHY 414 Personal Finance
DNHY 421 Research I
DNHY 422 Research II
*DNHY 441 Principles of Education I
*DNHY 442 Principles of Education II
*DNHY 444 Teaching Practicum (Class/Lab)
*DNHY 464 Web-based Teaching Techniques
DNHY 498 Dental Hygiene Directed Study
RELR 475 Art of Integrative Care
RELT 406 Adventists Beliefs and Life

Teaching Track:
*DNHY 425 Educational Psychology for Health Professionals
*DNHY 436 Ethical Principles in Education
*DNHY 446 Principles of clinical Instruction Techniques

Public Health Track:
*DNHY 428 Health Care Management
*DNHY 419 Essentials of Public Health
*DNHY 437 Ethical Principles in Public Health
*DNHY 449 Treating the Special Needs Patient
*DNHY 484 Legal Issues in Health Care
DNHY 499 Research Writing

*DNHY 478 Advanced Clinical Concepts (Selective)

* New Courses