Admissions

Application Process

Applicants must apply through the American Dental Education Association's Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service. The Dental Hygiene Program begins each August. The deadline for applications is the previous Jan. 31. 

Timeline

• Applicants must take the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene through the American Dental Association. We strongly recommend that applicants complete the exam by early October. The application must be submitted online by Jan. 31.
• The Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service's online application opens in mid-October. The application will require:
  • All college coursework from your transcripts.
  • Personal and demographic information.
  • Program campus selection.
  • Program questions, including an essay about why you are pursuing dental hygiene.
  • Official college transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, even if transfer credit is not being used from a particular institution. All must be sent directly to the application service, not to the program. Sending it to the program will delay verification of your application.
  • A fee of $50. 
• The dental hygiene admissions committee notifies all applicants of decisions. Upon notice of acceptance for admission to the dental hygiene program, a letter of intent to enroll and a non-refundable deposit of $300 are required. The full amount of the deposit applies toward payment of tuition and fees when the student enrolls.

Prerequisites

Predental hygiene requirements include courses in high school and college.

Admissions Selection Criteria

Applicants to the UNMC Dental Hygiene Program are evaluated through a comprehensive admissions process that examines academic preparation, professional engagement and personal and professional attributes.

Applicants must first meet the program’s minimum admission requirements and submit all required application materials. Applicants who meet these requirements are then evaluated using established quantitative and qualitative selection criteria.

The factors listed below are evaluated collectively and may not carry equal weight in the admissions process.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Cumulative GPA: A minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.5.
• ATDH Score: A minimum Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) score of 320.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. At least two must be from professional references.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Because enrollment is limited, applicants who meet the minimum requirements are evaluated through the program’s established selection process.

Technical Standards

The UNMC Dental Hygiene Program has established technical standards that describe the essential abilities and requirements necessary for successful participation in the program and clinical education. Applicants should review these standards as part of the admissions process.

Applicants are expected to be able to meet the program’s technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.

View the UNMC Dental Hygiene Program Technical Standards

The Technical Standards are also considered as part of the admissions process and should be reviewed carefully before applying to the program.

Quantitative Selection Factors

The following factors contribute to the quantitative evaluation of applicants:

• Overall GPA – Academic performance across completed college-level coursework.
• Science GPA – Performance in science coursework, with particular attention to prerequisite sciences that provide foundational preparation for the dental hygiene curriculum.
• Course Load and Academic Rigor – Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a substantial academic course load, including multiple science courses within a term.
• ATDH Score – Performance on the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene as an additional measure of academic preparation and readiness for the dental hygiene curriculum.
• Observation Experience – Meaningful observation experience in dental hygiene is a factor in the admissions selection process. Documented observation hours may contribute to an applicant’s overall selection score.
• Letters of Recommendation – Required recommendations provide insight into an applicant’s academic, professional and personal qualities. The relevance and credibility of the recommendations and the recommender’s ability to speak meaningfully to the applicant’s preparation and potential for success contribute to the quantitative evaluation.

Qualitative Selection Factors

Following the quantitative evaluation, the admissions committee reviews additional qualities and experiences relevant to success in the dental hygiene program and profession. These factors are considered as part of the overall admissions process and are not necessarily assigned a numerical score.

• Interview – The interview provides an opportunity to assess communication skills, professionalism, maturity, motivation, understanding of the dental hygiene profession and commitment to the field.
• Professional Motivation and Career Goals – Applicants should demonstrate an informed interest in dental hygiene, professional motivation and career goals compatible with the educational and professional expectations of the baccalaureate program.
• Commitment to Scholarly Pursuits – Applicants should demonstrate readiness to engage in the academic, scientific and lifelong learning expectations of the dental hygiene profession.
• Personal Qualifications – The admissions process includes consideration of personal maturity, good moral character and a demonstrated desire to serve the public.

Admissions Review

The admissions committee reviews the complete application using established admissions criteria and procedures. Quantitative selection factors contribute to the applicant’s overall selection score. Following the quantitative evaluation, the admissions committee reviews qualitative factors to provide a broader assessment of each applicant’s preparation, motivation and potential for success in the program and profession.

No single component necessarily determines an applicant’s admission decision. Final admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee based on the established selection process and available enrollment capacity.

Admissions criteria and procedures are periodically reviewed by the program to support a fair, consistent and effective selection process.