Dental Hygiene Program

Application Submission Process

Dental Hygiene admissions is now OPEN and will close January 25, 2027.

Easy, Online submission

The application process for the Dental Hygiene Program at Utah Tech University will be submitted and processed through Element451. In Element451 you will be able to provide and submit all of the Required Materials necessary for your application process. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact dentalhygiene@utahtech.edu.

Ready to APPLY, Start Here!

Dental Hygiene Program Application – NOW OPEN!
Applications are now being accepted for the Dental Hygiene Program!
Application Deadline: January 25, 2027

IMPORTANT: Please Complete These Steps in Order

STEP 1: Apply to Utah Tech University

All applicants MUST be admitted to Utah Tech University and receive a Student ID Number (D#) before applying to the Dental Hygiene Program.

If you are a new student or have not yet been admitted to Utah Tech University, please complete the university application first.

APPLY TO UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY

STEP 2: Apply to the Dental Hygiene Program

Once you have been admitted to Utah Tech University and have received your D#, you can complete the separate Dental Hygiene Program application (when inputting your number, exclude the D and only enter the number).

DENTAL HYGIENE APPLICATION

Please Remember!

Admission to Utah Tech University and admission to the Dental Hygiene Program are TWO SEPARATE applications.

Being admitted to Utah Tech University does not automatically admit you into the Dental Hygiene Program.

Dental Hygiene applications are accepted only during the designated application period and all required material must be submitted by

January 25, 2027.

 

Application Fee

For 2027 Admissions, the following fees will be required for each application.
The payment process is taken care of during the application process.

  • $50 + $3 processing fee

 

***If you are accepted into the program, you will be expected to sign an acceptance letter along with a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. (deposit will be applied to your tuition at the start of your first semester)***

Final Grades, Transcripts and Overall GPA

 

Official Transcripts

Students applying to the Dental Hygiene Program must submit all official transcripts to Utah Tech University when applying for admission as a new student. Transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities must be submitted to ensure academic records are complete and prerequisite coursework can be reviewed.

Please make sure to review your academic records with Utah Tech University to verify that all required transcripts have been received and that your records are complete.

 

For assistance with requesting official transcripts, please visit the How to Order Transcripts webpage.

ALL graded attempts for each course must be listed

Number of attempts will be verified using transcripts.

Official transcripts from all non-UT coursework must be submitted to records@utahtech.edu for transfer evaluation as soon as science courses are completed or by the application deadline, whichever is sooner.

ALL science courses must be COMPLETE and GRADED

COURSE AGE: If any prerequisite science course is 5 years or older at the time of application, the applicant must demonstrate academic readiness by passing HESI Exam

Most General Education (GE) courses should be complete

  • Upon admission, all GE Courses must be completed.

REFERENCES

 

Two references are required for each application cycle.

Applicants must provide the name, phone number, and email address for each of the following individuals:

  • Employment Supervisor: Preferably from employment within the last five years. Any employment experience is acceptable; dental employment is not required.
  • Unrelated Adult: An individual who is not related to the applicant and has known the applicant for at least two years.

Important: Applicants must contact both individuals in advance and receive their permission to be listed as a reference. These individuals may be contacted during the application review process.

 

HSRT (Health Science Reasoning Test)

The Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) is a cognitive exam that “measures high-stakes reasoning and decision-making processes. The HSRT is specifically calibrated for trainees in undergraduate and graduate health sciences educational programs. Scores on this instrument have been found to predict successful professional licensure and high clinical performance ratings. More instructions will be provided during the application process in the software platform.

Results of the HSRT

 

  • 40 Questions (multiple choice)
  • 50 Minutes maximum

Proctored Test Required

$50 (approximate cost)

Proctor Request form

UT Professional Testing Center

We have updated our Dental Experience Verification form with new requirements, please be aware of these changes.

Dental Experience Verification Form

All applicants must have experience with intra-oral procedures by In-Office observation, Online Observation or Dental Assisting. All required hours must be with adult patients. For any questions please contact dentalhygiene@utahtech.edu.

During the application process you will have the option to fill out this form digitally , or you can upload a physical copy.

Directions: You are required to select and provide verification for ONE of the options listed below along with a 200 word Essay telling us:

How the procedures you’ve observed prepared you for your education in Dental Hygiene

  • 200 Paid Dental Assisting Hours
  • 25 Active IN-OFFICE Observation Hours,
  • 25 ONLINE Observation Hours
  • Partial IN-OFFICE and ONLINE Observation

Download Experience Verification Form

Video Interview Component

We’re excited to get to know you better through our video interview process! This convenient online format allows you to share your passion for dental hygiene from the comfort of your own home.

Here’s what to expect: You’ll be directed to our user-friendly video interview platform where you can take your time to practice and get comfortable with the format before beginning your actual interview. This practice opportunity ensures you feel confident and prepared.

During the interview, you’ll respond to 3-4 thoughtfully crafted questions designed to help us understand your motivations, experiences, and goals in dental hygiene. Each response will be timed for 90 seconds, giving you ample opportunity to share meaningful insights about yourself while keeping the process efficient and focused.

The beauty of this format is the flexibility it offers – complete your interview when it’s most convenient for you, in an environment where you feel relaxed and authentic. We encourage you to find a quiet, well-lit space where you can speak naturally and let your personality shine through.

We look forward to hearing your story and learning more about what drives your interest in joining our dental hygiene program!

Admission Timeline

Admission Finalized

Admissions criteria will be finalized each year by June 1st

Admission Cycle

Required application forms will be updated for the next admissions cycle and available by June 1st

 

Application Opens

Electronic applications will open each year by November 1st

FAQs

Avoid “Pass” and/or “No Credit” Grade Options

For the purposes of admission to our academic program, the UT Department of Dental Hygiene only accepts traditional letter grades for prerequisite courses. Students who earn a “P” or “NC” in any program prerequisite must retake the course for a letter grade. Contact our program advisor for more information.

Can I get any extra points on my application?

There are no “extra” points available Each application is scored according to the documents properly submitted in the current application cycle.

Documents submitted in any previous application cycle will not complete current cycle application requirements.

How are applications scored?

Similar to the previous scoring, eligible applicants will be scored using criteria weighted from highest importance (#1) to less important (#5):

  1. Science GPA (averaged)
  2. Overall GPA
  3. HSRT Exam
  4. Video Interview Component
  5. All Other Application Requirements
    • The other required documents will be considered for scoring as deemed necessary by the Admissions Committee.

Stats for the Class of 2028 Accepted Candidates

  • Science GPA range: 3.56-4.0
  • Overall GPA range: 3.80-4.0
  • HSRT Score range: 77-91

Note: These are the ranges for only this class. Each year the range changes slightly. 

When will I find out if I’m accepted to the program?

Official notification on program admissions will be sent via Utah Tech email in early March.

Reapplication to the Dental Hygiene Program

If you are Reapplying for the Dental Hygiene Program at Utah Tech University you will be required to submit a NEW application through Slate. We are unable to reuse any documents from any previous application(s). Each applicant must submit ALL of the required documents for each new admission cycle. If you have any additional questions, please contact the Health Science Advisor, Jessica Burr

What is HSRT exam?

The HSRT examines a person’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills similar to real clinical situations. There is no published study guide, but Insight Assessment offers some sample questions and suggests ways to get ready for a critical thinking test. This test is a required material for your application to the Dental Hygiene program and must be completed.

Did the Dental Observation Verification Form Change?

Yes, we have recently changed the required hours along with asking for a 2oo word essay on what you learned from observation. Please see the Dental Observations Verification Form for the changes.

Download Experience Verification Form

Please contact dentalhygiene@utahtech.edu if you have any questions about the changes.

Are there any advantages in the different methods of observation?

There is NO preference for the method used during an applicants clinical observation.
Candidates with IN-PERSON observation will not necessarily score better than those that observe ONLINE.

What is the HESI Exam?

The HESI Exam is only required if an applicant’s science prerequisite coursework will be 5 years or older at the time of program admission. Coursework is considered “aged-out” until a HESI exam is successfully completed.

  • To prove academic readiness, applicants with any aged-out science coursework must complete all parts of the HESI exam regardless of which science course(s) are aged-out.
  • The cumulative score on the HES
  • I Exam must be at 75% or higher.
    • If the cumulative score is below 75%, two retakes are allowed in a two-year period.
  • Contact the UT Professional Testing Center for HESI exam information

Will you accept FSDH 1500 in place of PSY 1100?

Yes, as of admissions for FALL 2021 FSHD 1500 is a permittable substitute in place of PSY 1000

Contact

Dental Hygiene Program

Email: DentalHygiene@utahtech.edu

Phone: 435-879-4905

Fax: 435-879-4929

Jessica Burr

Academic Advisor

Email: jessica.burr@utahtech.edu

Phone: 435-879-4809

Office: HPC 343