INDEX

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

• Welcome
• About the College
• Academics
• Alumni Resources
• Diversity
• Faculty Resources
• Fund Raising
• Current Students
• Discover LAS
• LAS News & Events

• Pre-Health

• Information
• Links
• Premed Student Timetable
• Pre-Health Home Page

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygienists work with dentists to meet the oral health needs of patients. They may do preliminary reviews of patient histories, prepare dental charts, do oral inspections, expose and develop x-rays, remove deposits from teeth, make impressions of patients' teeth to make models, and counsel patients about dental care.

Preparation for dental hygiene requires two years of specialized study in a program accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Currently there are no professional programs in the state of Iowa leading to the four-year baccalaureate degree.

Students who want a bachelor's degree take two years (60 credits) of general education courses before beginning the two-year professional program, and the general education courses may be taken at Iowa State. Professional programs are also offered in community colleges, and some students take preliminary biology and chemistry courses at Iowa State before beginning those programs.

Courses required for admission into most professional programs include those needed as prerequisites for the dental hygiene program and those that meet the general education requirements of the college.

• English (ENGL 104, 105)
• Mathematics (MATH 140)
• General chemistry (CHEM 163, 163L, 164, 164L)
• General biology/zoology (BIOL 211, 211L, 212, 212L)
• Anatomy and physiology (BIOL 255/255L & 256/256L)
• Microbiology (MICRO 201, 201L or 302, 302L)
• Psychology (PSYCH 101)
• Sociology (SOC 134)
• Nutrition (FS HN 167)
• Speech (SP CM 212)
• Elective courses may be chosen from the humanities and social sciences to complete 60 credits.

Professional schools may change their prerequisites. Students are responsible for maintaining direct contact with specific professional schools for current prerequisite guidelines.

For more information including a listing of accredited programs visit the American Dental Hygienists' Association’s WWW site at: www.adha.org/.

Further information is available in 102 Carrie Chapman Catt Hall, (515)294-4831.