The Dental Hygiene program is a four semester and one summer session program within a cohort that prepares individuals to work in general and specialty dental offices, and public health agencies. Emphasis is placed on the correlations among prevention, education, and the clinical phases of dental hygiene practice as well as basic and social sciences. The curriculum is organized in accordance with requirements of the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation for a Dental Hygiene program and with consultation from the Maui County Dental Association. The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. Graduates are eligible to take the National Board of Dental Hygiene Exam, National Clinical Examination, and apply for licensure with the Hawai‘i Board of Dental Examiners.
The following minimum prerequisite courses (19 credits) are required of students entering the Dental Hygiene program: ENG 100(3); MATH 100, MATH 103, or MATH 115(3); MICR 130(3) and MICR 140(2); PHYL 141/PHYL 141L(3,1) and PHYL 142/PHYL 142L(3,1), all with grade C or better. General Education AS credits (see below) may be completed early to reduce course load and be more competitive in the selection process. Science lecture courses required for admission have a 10-year time limit, which must be completed within the last 10 years prior to application deadline. A “lab” course (e.g., PHYL 141L, PHYL 142L) does not have a time limit, and may be repeated online in the UH system as a 3-credit lecture-only course.
Admission is every other odd fall year (e.g. Fall 2021, Fall 2023, Fall 2025): application deadline for the next Fall Cohort is 1 May of that year. Admission to UHMC does not guarantee admission to the Dental Hygiene program. Courses may be repeated twice to raise a grade, with the higher grade used for admission purposes. The application process includes an interview and writing exercise. In the event of a tie (students with same points on Program Application), the student with the highest GPA is offered admission to the program based on our preadmission courses- pre-requisites and general education courses. All qualified Hawaii State residents will be considered before any qualified non-resident. Dental Hygiene majors are assessed a professional fee of $500 per semester. Visit the UH Maui College dental website at maui.hawaii.edu/dental
Contact the Program Coordinator, Rosie Vierra, at 984-3313 or by email at rivierra@hawaii.edu for information.
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
Introduces clinical procedures and techniques of dental hygiene including prevention of disease transmission, health/ dental history, extra/intraoral examination, gingival evaluation and description, comprehensive periodontal examination, suspicious caries examination, and classification of occlusion. Demonstrates operation of the dental unit, basic instrumentation techniques, and ergonomic practice. (Letter grade only.)
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
DH 156C
Develops clinical procedures and techniques of dental hygiene including prevention of disease transmission, health/dental history, extra/intraoral examination, gingival evaluation and description, comprehensive periodontal examination, suspicious caries examination, and classification of occlusion. Demonstrates operation of the dental unit, basic instrumentation techniques, and ergonomic practice. (Letter grade only.)
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
DH 156
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
DH 158 with grade C or better.
DH 252L.
Develops laboratory experience providing students with techniques in preparation and utilization of dental materials. (Letter grade only.)
DH 158 with grade C or better.
DH 252.
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
DH 254 with grade C or better, or consent.
PHRM 203 with grade C or better, or licensed dentist or dental hygienist.
Focuses on fundamental principles of periodontology including normal periodontium, etiology, and classification of periodontal disease and relationship of dental deposits to periodontal diseases. Correlates basic sciences with the clinical aspects of periodontal diseases. Describes etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Identifies development of periodontal pocket, abscess, and process of bone loss. Demonstrates advanced instrumentation techniques, ultrasonic devices, root planning, curettage, subgingival irrigation, and hypersensitivity. (Letter grade only.)
DH 156 and DH 156C, both with grade C or better.
DH 257C
Develops clinical experience that focuses on fundamental principles of periodontology including normal periodontium, etiology and classification of periodontal disease, and relationship of dental deposits to periodontal diseases. Correlation of basic sciences with the clinical aspects of periodontal diseases. Describes etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Identifies development of periodontal pocket, abscess, process of bone loss. Demonstrates advanced instrumentation techniques, ultrasonic devices, root planning, curettage, subgingival irrigation, and hypersensitivity. (Letter grade only.)
DH 156 and DH 156C, both with grade C or better.
DH 257
Focuses on diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic procedures. Explains preventive and therapeutic measures within scope and responsibility of the dental hygienist. Utilizes advanced instrumentation in periodontal treatment. Compares types of periodontal surgery and therapies. Describes rationale and criteria for periodontal referral. (Letter grade only.)
DH 257 and DH 257C, both with grade C or better.
DH 258C
Develops clinical skills on diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic procedures. Explains preventive and therapeutic measures within scope and responsibility of the dental hygienist. Utilizes advanced instrumentation in periodontal treatment. Compares types of periodontal surgery and therapies. Describes rationale and criteria for periodontal referral. (Letter grade only.)
DH 257 and DH 257C, both with grade C or better.
DH 258
Focuses on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on clinic clients. Develops clinical competency, skills, and performance with each successive academic semester. (Letter grade only.)
DH 156 and DH 156C, both with grade C or better.
DH 260C
Develops clinical experience on assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating dental hygiene care on the clinic clients. Develops clinical competency, skills, and performance with each successive academic semester. (Letter grade only.)
DH 156 and DH 156C, both with grade C or better.
DH 260
Develops clinical experience on assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating dental hygiene care on the clinic clients Develops clinical competency, skills, and performance with each successive academic semester.
Focuses on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on clinic clients. Develops clinical competency, skills, and performance with each successive academic semester. (Letter grade only.)
DH 260 and DH 260C, both with grade C or better.
DH 261C
Develops clinical experience on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on clinic clients. Develops clinical competency, skills, and performance with each successive academic semester. (Letter grade only.)
DH 260 and DH 260C, both with grade C or better.
DH 261
Focuses on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on clinic clients. Develops clinical competency, skill, and performance. (Letter grade only.)
DH 261 and DH 261C, both with grade C or better
DH 262C
Develops clinical experience on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on clinic clients. Develops clinical competency, skill, and performance. (Letter grade only.)
DH 261 and DH 261C, both with grade C or better.
DH 262
Focuses on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on clinic clients. Develops clinical competency and skills. (Letter grade only.)
DH 262 and DH 262C, both with grade C or better.
DH 263C
Develops clinical skills on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on clinic clients. Develops clinical competency and skills. (Letter grade only.)
DH 262 and DH 262C, both with grade C or better.
DH 263
Admission to Dental Hygiene Program.
Admission to Dental Hygiene program.
Reviews pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and emergency procedures associated with local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia. Demonstrates preparation for and administration of conduction and infiltration anesthesia in dental procedures. (Letter grade only.)
DH 155 and DH 256, both with grade C or better.
DH 266C
Develops clinical experience with; pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and emergency procedures associated with local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia. Demonstrates preparation for and administration of conduction and infiltration anesthesia in dental procedures. Provides laboratory and clinical experience in administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia. (Letter grade only.)
DH 155 and DH 256, both with grade C or better.
DH 266
Reviews the production, characteristics, and biological effects of radiation, functions, components, and operation of the x-ray unit. Includes radiation protection and monitoring, chemistry, and techniques associated with x-ray film and developing solutions. Reviews anatomic landmarks, intraoral, short-cone radiographic techniques in bitewing, periapical, full mouth, and occlusal surveys. Introduces and expands experience of radiographic identification, interpretation of radiographic caries, periodontal disease, endodontics, edentulous, trauma, and dental anomalies utilizing dental x-ray films, panoramic, cephalometric, and other extraoral radiographs. Explains forensic and legal considerations of dental radiology. Reviews traditional methods of x-ray exposure including digital technique. Includes clinical lab experience of exposing and interpreting radiographs on clients. (Letter grade only.)
Admission to Dental Hygiene Program.
Develops laboratory experience providing students with the following techniques in preparation and utilization of: the production, characteristics, and biological effects of radiation, functions, components, and operation of the x-ray unit. Includes radiation protection and monitoring, chemistry and techniques associated with x-ray film and developing solutions. Identifies anatomic landmarks, intraoral, short-cone radiographic techniques in bitewing, periapical, full mouth and occlusal surveys. Introduces and expands experience of radiographic identification, interpretation of radiographic caries, periodontal disease, endodontics, edentulous, trauma, and dental anomalies utilizing dental x-ray films, panoramic, cephalometric and other extraoral radiographs. Explains forensic and legal considerations of dental radiology. Demonstrates traditional methods of x-ray exposure including digital technique. Includes clinical lab experience of exposing and interpreting radiographs on clients. (Letter grade only.)
Admission to Dental Hygiene Program.
