Dental Hygiene Selective Admission Requirements

The following are the minimum criteria and any additional requirements that must be met in order to be considered for program admission to the next cohort for the Dental Hygiene Program. These criteria will be similar for all the selective programs, but there may be some small differences or program specific requirements that must be completed. Please make sure you are aware of all the requirements.

These are the minimum criteria that must be met to be considered for the program. If you do not meet these requirements, you should not submit a selective program admission application. By enrolling in pre-health professions, you are able to work towards these requirements at UC Blue Ash College, and apply once they are met. The pre-health professions advisor can assist with putting together a plan.

One year of high school biology with lab and a grade of C or higher completed within 6 years of application or a college biology course as indicated below is required.

• If high school biology grade was C, but was taken longer than 6 years prior to application, the student must complete Biology for the Health Professions and Technical Programs I (BIOL1051C) with a grade of C or better.

• If high school biology was not taken or if the student earned a grade below C, the student must complete Biology for Health Professions and Technical Programs I and II (BIOL1051C and BIOL1052C) with grades of C or better.

• College Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2001C) completed with grade of C or better within the 6 years prior to application will also meet this biology requirement.

One year of high school chemistry with lab with a grade of C or better completed within 6 years of application or CHEM 1030 (General, Organic, and Biochemistry I) and CHEM 1030L (Gen/Org/Biochemistry Lab) with grades of C or better is required.

• If high school chemistry grade was a C or better but was taken longer than 6 years prior to application, the student must complete CHEM 1030 (General Organic, and Biochemistry I) and CHEM 1030L (Gen/Org/ Biochemistry Lab) with grades of C or better.

• If high school Chemistry was not taken, or if the student earned a letter grade below a C,  the student must complete CHEM 1030 (General Organic and Biochemistry I) and CHEM 1030L (Gen/Org/ Biochemistry Lab) with grades of C or better.

Students may meet the math prerequisite via any one of the following paths:

• Math placement test, ALEKS test, ACT Math sub-test score, or SAT math sub-score for placement into STAT 1031 or higher.
• Completion of preparatory math course(s) needed for college-level MATH/STAT course.
• Completion of college-level MATH/STAT course.

Eligibility for English Composition (ENGL 1001) is required. You can view the eligibility criteria here.

Students who have not graduated from a U.S. or English speaking high school must complete an English Proficiency Requirement, one of the examinations listed below with a designated score.  With the following exceptions:

• Student has taken a full year of High School in the United States and earned a passing grade in one year of Standard English (not ESL).
• Student has earned a passing score of the O-Level English Exam.
• Student has passed the first year of IB English (SL or HL) with a score of 5 or higher.
• Student has attended a full year of school in a country which has been deemed as English proficient.

High Intermediate Ranges on Examination(s) - for students that do not meet one of the Four Bulleted Exceptions above.

TOEFL

• Overall: 72
• Speaking sub-score: 20
• Listening sub-score: 17

IELTS

• Overall: 6.0
• Speaking sub-score: 6.5
• Listening sub-score: 5.5

PTE

• Overall: 50 (concords to 72 on the TOEFL)
• CEFR level B2 (easiest) = 51-58
• CEFR level B2 = 59-75

Cambridge Assessment

• English: 175
• IELTS 6.0 = 169-175
• IELTS 6.5 = 176-184
• CEFR level B2 = 160-179

Duolingo English Test (DET)

• Overall: 95
• Production sub-score: 112
• Conversation sub-score: 88

Students must meet the requirement of (A) un-weighted high school GPA of 3.2 or (B) 3.0 GPA in college courses with a minimum of 12 credit hours that contribute to the student's GPA. Note: The GPA of the most recent college where at least 12 credits were earned will be the one used for selective admission.

Note: A complete application to the Dental Hygiene Program, or having the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission. The maximum number of times a student can apply for program admission is two.

In addition to the minimum criteria, you are required to complete two (2) observations as a part of the application process for the Dental Hygiene program. 

Applicants are required to visit 2 dental offices for a total of 8 hours (minimum of 4 hours at each office) for the purpose of observing behind-the-scenes operations and the role of the dental hygienist in that office. This may be substituted with work experience in a Dental Practice. The Pre-Admission Observation/Work Experience Form must be submitted along with the electronic Dental Hygiene Application. Observation hours never expire.

The program admissions committee will review the academic records, observation/work experience forms, survey of career knowledge for all students who meet the minimum selective admission criteria and complete the application process. The highest rankings will be given to those students who are most successful in the following areas:

• High school biology or college equivalent
• High school chemistry or college equivalent
• Current cumulative GPA (high school or college)
• Observation hours
• Survey of career knowledge - this is completed as part of the selective admissions application.
• Additional points may be awarded for:
  • Healthcare experience - this includes work or volunteer experience in a healthcare practice (refer to Observation Form for documentation).
  • Advanced degrees (college degree in any field)

Additional points may boost your application, but the primary emphasis is on the minimum requirements to apply.

Before you are able to apply through the Dental Hygiene Selective Admission process, you first need to be a confirmed University of Cincinnati student. The Dental Hygiene Program only has one cohort each year which starts each Fall Semester.

The selective admissions application to join the Dental Hygiene cohort opens the first business day of March and will close the last business day in April. If you are interested in enrolling, and have reviewed and meet all the requirements, you can apply today. (Again, the application is only open in March and April)

Non-UC institutional transfer transcripts for the current spring semester cannot be received an processed in time to be considered for selective admission programs. 

• Application to this program does not guarantee admission and students can apply to any one selective admission program twice. Applicants will be notified within six weeks after the end of the Spring semester.
• Students who do not return the acceptance form by the date listed in their letter/email will be removed from the admission list and their space may be offered to the next most qualified student.
  
• Following acceptance to the health programs, students must meet the following requirements:
  
  1. Attend mandatory orientation sessions
  2. Purchase appropriate uniforms, supplies, and educational materials
  3. Document current immunizations
  4. Document health care provider CPR certification
  5. Arrange for personal transportation to and from clinical sites
  6. Undergo background checks and drug testing as may be required by the program or the clinical site
  7. Meet additional program specific requirements

There are some additional requirements to be aware of that will need to be met and followed by students who are accepted into the program. It is important to know these requirements before applying so that you are aware of everything that is entailed.

Both first and second year students must attend a mandatory orientation the week before the start of classes. Students are required to purchase instruments, magnification loupes and uniforms. Refer to the Cost Estimate sheet for more detailed information regarding additional expenses. Other critical requirements include background checks, proof of Hepatitis vaccination and titer, annual TB test, vision examination, dental examination, and current health care provider CPR certification.

The UC Blue Ash Dental Hygiene Department recognizes that bloodborne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) present a risk to students, faculty, staff, and patients.

• Dental Hygiene Program Overview
• Allied Health Department
• Selective Admissions Overview

Dental Hygiene Program
Phone: 513-558-7928
Email: dentalhygiene@ucblueash.edu