The Program offers the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree (BSDH). Dental Hygienists are professionals, licensed by your state, who complete extensive educational and clinical preparation in preventive oral health care. They provide a wide range of services and can pursue a variety of career options including clinical, administrative/managerial, education, consumer advocate, research; and change agent.


The GOALS of the Dental Hygiene Department are closely related to Midwestern State University’s mission of education and community involvement to contribute constructively to society through their work and through their private lives.

  1. Prepare students, through appropriate academic and clinical educations, to be qualified dental professionals.
  2. Provide comprehensive dental hygiene treatment to those communities served by the program through a complete, sequential, and fully monitored system of care.
  3. Create a positive and rewarding academic environment that facilitates continued growth and enrichment of all students and faculty.
  4. Foster opportunities for faculty and student involvement in service activities that are consistent with personal development goals


The MSU Dental Hygiene Program has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA CODA) based on the 2013 Program review. The next Program site visit by the Commission is scheduled to occur in 2020.

 

General Qualifications for Licensure in Dental Hygiene

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Has graduated from an accredited high school or holds a certificate of high school equivalency, General equivalency Diploma (GED);
  • Has graduated from a dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association with a degree or certificate in dental hygiene, or has graduated from a CODA-accredited school or college of dental hygiene with a degree in dental hygiene;
  • Has taken and passed the examination for dental hygienists given by the American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations;
  • Has taken and passed a clinical examination administered by a regional examining board designated by the Boardwithin the last five (5) years.
  • Beginning October 1, 2021, applicants applying for licensure or registration with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) must complete a course in human trafficking prevention approved by the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and submit proof of completion with their application. This will be in addition to all required documentation that needs to be submitted to the TSBDE. For information on where to find approved courses.
  • Copy of your IdentoGO fingerprint receipt. If you applied online, fingerprint instructions are emailed. If you are submitting a notarized paper application, fingerprint instructions will be emailed to the email address provided.
  • National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Self-Query.  Report results must remain in the original sealed envelope.  NPDB self-query reports are valid for 60 days. Contact the NPDB at telephone number (800) 767-6732, or website http://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/pract/howToGetStarted.jsp.

For further information about licensure in Texas, please visit the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners at https://tsbde.texas.gov/

 

For additional information on the profession of dental hygiene, visit