High School
Preparation for the study of dental hygiene begins in high school. The prospective dental hygiene student should take the following high school subjects:
| English | 3 years | |
| Mathematics/Algebra | 2 years | |
| Geometry | 1 year | |
| Biological Sciences (Biology) | 1 year | |
| Chemistry | 1 year | |
|
Foreign Language (suggested but not required) |
2 years |
Please contact the dental hygiene program advisor for guidance.
College
The predental hygiene courses fulfill general requirements and provide the student with a core of knowledge
| Communication (English Composition) | 6 hours | |
| Biology | 4 hours | |
| Microbiology | 4 hours | |
| Human Anatomy or Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 hours | |
| Human Physiology or Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 hours | |
| General Chemistry | 8 hours | |
|
Introductory Sociology |
3 hours | |
| Introductory Psychology | 3-4 hours | |
| Communication (Speech/must give speeches) | 3 hours | |
| Humanities/Arts | 6 hours | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences/Human Behavior, Culture & Social Organization |
3 hours | |
| Nutrition | 3 hours | |
| 12-hour Series | 12 hours |
Six credit hours must be completed in the Humanities & Arts (English literature, philosophy, music history, classics, art history, theater arts, drawing) and three hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences/Human Behavior, Culture and Social Organization (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography). A twelve-hour series (a 12-hour minor in one academic area) must be completed in a specific area of study. The courses taken in the 12-hour series must have the same course prefix for all courses being considered. The Dental Hygiene Program advisor should be consulted for specific details.
Transfer Credit
All official transcripts from postsecondary institutions will be examined and credit will be awarded according to UNMC policy. Usually, credit from an accredited institution of higher learning is accepted for transfer if successfully completed with a course grade of C or above. For two- and four-year institutions, transfer credit will be determined by the standards set forth in the "Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions" published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Offices. No credit will be awarded for D grades.
Predental Hygiene Curriculum Worksheet
Dual Credit
Due to the rigor of the dental hygiene program, it is strongly recommended that all dental hygiene prerequisites be taken during college. No science courses will be accepted if taken as dual credit in high school.