Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Get help with the Transfer Process & How Your Credits Transfer to DSU

Estimated program costs are reasonably low compared to other programs.

Yes! Our Public Dental Hygiene Clinic offers low-cost services like dental cleanings, x-rays, sealants, mouth guards, and teeth whitening.

For an initial screening appointment, call the clinic at 435-879-4900.

We accept applications once per year in January.

All science courses must be complete and graded prior to submitting your application in January. Any remaining GE courses must be complete and graded prior to starting your dental hygiene courses in August.

There is NO advantage to applicants who have 500 paid hours versus 50 observation hours; no points are assigned for hours. The 500 hours of paid DA experience equals approximately 3 months of full-time work. Candidates with 500 hours in dental assisting simply have more experience but do not necessarily score better during admissions.

The HSRT examines a person’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills just like in real clinical situations. There is no published study guide, but Insight Assessment offers a mobile app, some sample questions and suggests ways to get ready for a critical thinking test.

Only take the HESI if at least one of your science grades is 5 years old or more. Elsevier publishes an exam review book for the HESI A2 Exam (ISBN: 978-0323353786). There are also free practice tests online if students search for the information.

Yes, FSHD 1500 does substitute (but it’s not on DegreeWorks yet. We’re working on it!)

• The proctored written statement offers each applicant a way to describe their thoughts about the dental hygiene profession. Well-written responses should be no more than 250 words for each question, but there is no minimum length requirement.
• A total of one hour is allotted to complete the two questions.
• No notes are allowed. A blank piece of paper will be provided by the testing center for applicants who wish to organize their thoughts prior to writing their responses.
• Additional directions will be provided in the online application after October 1st.

Official notification on program admissions will be sent via Dmail in early March (our goal is March 1st).

Similar to the previous scoring, all completed applications will be scored on:

1. Science GPA (averaged)
2. Overall GPA
3. HSRT Exam
4. Proctored Writing Sample
5. All Other Application Requirements

   The other required documents will be considered for scoring as deemed necessary by the Admissions Committee.

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

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

Many procedures performed by dental hygienists expose them to bloodborne pathogens. Hygienists must follow detailed infection control protocols.

Program students act as patients for each other as an important educational experience in pre-clinic and in the pain control lab.

No, we cannot reuse any documents from previous applications. Each applicant must submit all required documents for each admission cycle.

Dental Experience Form:

• No, we need new forms. Marking N/A on each item is perfectly acceptable if the office supervisor cannot recall which procedures were observed or assisted. This form simply verifies that each applicant has some experience seeing the processes of patient care in the dental field—from charts and x-rays to saliva and sterilization.

Confidential Recommendations:

• No, we need new forms. We cannot reuse any documents from previous applications. Each applicant must submit all required documents for proper scoring during each admission cycle.

Yes, COMM 2110 is required for the January 2021 application for admission in Fall 2021

Yes, as required by the College of Health Sciences, MATH 1040 is a prerequisite for the January 2022 application for admission in Fall 2022

Yes, the clinic is open to the public. We welcome all ages.

• Call our Clinic Manager at 435-879-4900, or
• Email DHclinic@utahtech.edu

The clinic schedule aligns with Dixie State University’s Academic Calendar

Fall Semester is generally late August through early December

• Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Spring Semester is generally early January through early May

• Appointments are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

• A $20 fee is required for each initial appointment
• Other fees are listed here