You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here.

Degree Requirements

1. Entry-to-Practice Option

Successful applicants to the Dental Hygiene Degree Program via the Entry-to-Practice Option will complete a full-time four-year program that includes didactic and clinical instruction. The Faculty expects that students will register in a full course load to complete the degree in four years. Upon successful completion of the degree, a student will be eligible to apply to register to practice as a dental hygienist. Students admitted via this option will complete their studies at the UBC Vancouver Campus through on-campus, distributed learning, and community outreach instructional delivery.

 

First Year
DHYG 106 Basics of Oral Microbiology 3
DHYG 108 Oral Health Sciences I 3
DHYG 110 Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice I 6
CHEM 121 Structure and Bonding in Chemistry 4
BIOL 155 Physiology and Introductory Anatomy 6
BIOL 180 Thinking Like a Life Scientist 2
DHYG 106 Basics of Oral Microbiology 3
ENGL 100 level   3
WRDS 150 Research and Writing in the Humanities and 6
  Social Sciences  
PSYC 101 Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology 3
PSYC 102 Introduction to Developmental, Social, Personality, 3
  and Clinical Psychology  
Total Credits   36

 

Second Year
DHYG 206 Head and Neck Anatomy 3
DHYG 208 Oral Health Sciences II 12
DHYG 210 Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice II 18
STAT 203 Statistical Methods 3
Total Credits   36

 

Third Year
DHYG 310 Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice III 18
DHYG 325 Applied Pharmacology 3
DHYG 400 Policy Analysis and Change 3
DHYG 401 Oral Epidemiology 6
DHYG 435 Oral Medicine and Pathology 3
DHYG 461 Critical Appraisal and Professional Writing in Quantitative Research 3
Total Credits   36

 

Fourth Year
DHYG 405 Oral Microbiology and Immunology 3
DHYG 410 Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice IV 18
DHYG 412 Oral Health Care Trends and Topics 6
DHYG 462 Critical Appraisal and Professional Writing in Qualitative Research 3
Electives1   6
Total Credits   36
1 Of the 6 elective credits required in the program, all must be chosen from offerings within or approved by the Faculty. Elective credits must be taken in Year 4 Winter session or in the Summer session between Year 3 and Year 4. Courses taken prior to entry to the program will not be credited toward elective requirements.

2. Dental Hygiene Degree Completion (Category 1 or 2) Option (for Dental Hygiene Diploma Graduates)

Category 1 - Students who have completed 30 credits of university transfer prerequisites

Students must complete the following courses to be eligible to apply for graduation. Coursework includes core and elective courses:

 

DHYG 401 Oral Epidemiology 6
DHYG 405 Oral Microbiology and Immunology 3
DHYG 412 Oral Health Care Trends and Topics 6
DHYG 435 Oral Medicine & Pathology 3
DHYG 462 Critical Appraisal and Professional Writing in Qualitative Research  3
Electives1   9
Total Credits   31
1 Electives must be UBC courses (transfer credit is not permitted). All elective courses must be chosen from offerings within, or approved by, the Faculty.

Category 2 - Students who have NOT completed 30 credits of university transfer prerequisites

Students must complete the following courses to be eligible to apply for graduation. Coursework includes core and elective courses:

 

DHYG 400 Policy Analysis and Change 6
DHYG 401 Oral Epidemiology 2/5
DHYG 402 Dental Hygiene Practice I 6
DHYG 404 Dental Hygiene Practice II 6
DHYG 405 Oral Microbiology and Immunology 3
DHYG 433 Assessment and Treatment Planning for Advanced Periodontal Diseases 3
DHYG 435 Oral Medicine & Pathology 3
DHYG 461 Critical Appraisal and Professional Writing in Quantitative Research  3
DHYG 462 Critical Appraisal and Professional Writing in Qualitative Research  3
ENGL 301 Technical and Business Writing (or equivalent) 3
EPSE 482/HCEP 4001 Statistics (or equivalent) 3
PHIL 333 Biomedical Ethics (or equivalent) 3
Electives1   15
Total Credits   61
1 If DHYG 401 (5) not taken.
2 Electives may be taken in areas of interest such as health promotion, residential care, geriatrics, community health, adult education, health care ethics, interprofessional education, behavioural sciences, economics, etc. Some core courses and electives may be taken on campus or through distance education at UBC, BC Open University, or other recognized universities. Permission of the Program Director is required for all non-UBC courses.
3 Faculty of Dentistry courses subject to sufficient enrolment include: DENT 407 (6) - Oral Health Care in Residential Care Settings.
4 Interprofessional courses are highly recommended. Visit Health Disciplines for a complete list of IHHS courses.

3. International Degree Completion

Students must complete the following courses to be eligible to apply for graduation. Coursework includes core and elective courses:

 

DHYG 400 Policy Analysis and Change 6
DHYG 401 Oral Epidemiology 6
DHYG 402 Dental Hygiene Practice I 6
DHYG 405 Oral Microbiology & Immunology 3
DHYG 412 Oral Health Care Trends and Topics 6
DHYG 433 Assessment and Treatment Planning for Advanced Periodontal Diseases 3
DHYG 435 Oral Medicine & Pathology 3
DHYG 461 Critical Appraisal and Professional Writing in Quantitative Research  3
DHYG 462 Critical Appraisal and Professional Writing in Qualitative Research  3
ENGL 301 Technical & Business Writing 3
PHIL 333 Biomedical Ethics 3
Electives1   15
Total Credits   60
1 Electives must be UBC courses (transfer credit is not permitted). All elective courses must be chosen from offerings within, or approved by, the Faculty.

The Faculty will recommend to Senate the granting of the Bachelor of Dental Science (Degree in Dental Hygiene) to students who have satisfactorily completed the academic requirements.

 


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