Master of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene

The Master of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport – Fones School of Dental Hygiene is a strong quality based graduate program that prepares dental hygienists for leadership roles in education, administration, public health, and dental hygiene practice. The curriculum is designed for students to gain theory and practical experience through an interdisciplinary approach with the University’s Schools of Education, Business, Naturopathic Medicine, and Applied Nutrition. Whether students attend full or part time, emphasis is placed on students gaining experience and confidence to assume positions designated for graduate degree employment. Faculty are carefully selected based on their expertise in each facet of the curriculum.

Admission Criteria

To qualify for admission, the applicant must:

1. Have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program and hold a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene or related field.
2. Have an overall quality point average of at least 3.0 on a 4 point scale in undergraduate education.
3. Submit two recommendation forms completed by an individual who has knowledge of the applicant’s clinical ability as a dental hygienist (such as an employer, dental hygiene co-worker, or previous clinical supervisor) and an individual who has knowledge of the applicant’s academic ability (such as a previous dental hygiene program director, faculty member or clinical supervisor).
4. Submit a statement of career goals.
5. Submit an official transcript of all college work.
6. Send a photocopy of a license to provide evidence of current dental hygiene licensure in good standing.

The completed application and supporting documents should be sent to Office of Admissions by the following deadlines:

$575 per credit
Curriculum is 34-37 credits

Graduation Requirements

Each of the four components of the program requires the completion of a Master’s Thesis. Students can complete the program either part-time or full-time, completing 36-37 credits within one calendar year for a full time matriculated student or up to five years as a part time matriculated student.

This graduate program has the advantage of building on the current successful Dental Hygiene program, and the ability to collaborate with faculty appointments and departmental resources. The University offers graduate health science programs leading to a Master’s in Human Nutrition, Master’s in Acupuncture, Doctorate in Chiropractic and a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. In addition, the University offers graduate programs in Engineering, Education, Business, Counseling and Human Resources. By offering shared educational and clinical opportunities, the University intends to develop an integrated program of study, utilizing existing resources.

Curriculum

The curriculum consists of four distinct areas:

Dental Hygiene Education: This component provides a theoretical and practical approach to educational methodologies and their application to dental hygiene academia. Emphasis is on curricular assessment, development, implementation and evaluation. Students will gain experience and understand the role and responsibilities of faculty in didactic, clinical, and laboratory course development through the utilization of instructional technology and applicable learning domains.

Dental Hygiene Administration/Management: This component is designed to prepare dental hygienists for administrative/management positions in a variety of settings pertinent to oral health delivery and education. Emphasis is placed on the successful application of administrative concepts in organizations responsible for program development, marketing, budgeting, managing personnel, problem solving, and enhancing change.
 
Dental Public Health: This component provides an in-depth focus on the overall health and oral health needs of diverse populations and ways to improve direct access of care. Emphasis is placed on the leadership roles of the dental hygienist responsible for administering and implementing dental public health programs. Students will gain experience and knowledge in program development, grant writing, research, and methodologies effective in improving oral health.

Dental Hygiene Practice: This component expands upon the basic knowledge and skills practiced in the traditional dental hygiene process of care. The theories of evidence based learning and practical integration of age-old traditions of healing with clinical treatment are explored. Emphasis is placed on direct access of care in advanced dental hygiene practice consisting of scientific preventive therapies, diagnosis, nutrition, homeopathy, and botanical medicine.

• Summary of Requirements
• Suggested Program
• Course Descriptions

The University of Bridgeport – Fones School of Dental Hygiene has over 100 facilities currently utilized for the B.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene internship course requirement. New sites are added each year. The master’s degree program utilizes these facilities and accepts others as student interest and geographical locations increase.

This concentrated practicum is 45-60 hours and decided among the course instructor, student, and practicum site. The work activities of the students is structured based on student interest, relationship to the chosen area of specialization and decided learning outcomes. The practicum site facilitator and the course instructor decide on the appropriate evaluation mechanism for the student. Agreements are made between the practicum site and the Fones School of Dental Hygiene.