The Ostrow School of Dentistry has an established dental Hygiene program that has been active for more than 80 years. The Dental Hygiene program; University of Southern California Bachelor of Science, is an internationally acclaimed program and is well known for its merit in dental hygiene that covers both the preventive and clinical sectors. Students who have gone through this program have made their way into notable professions such as education, research, health advocacy, dental clinical practice as well as public health.
The Ostrow School of Dentistry is fully focused on the advancement of dental hygiene as a profession and dedicates its resources to the provision of useful services that benefit the community. The school offers a comprehensive and distinct education in dental hygiene that is only synonymous with the University of Southern California.
There are a total of 315 dental hygiene programs that are offered currently in the United States. Only 48 of these programs grant the Bachelor of Science degree. The University of Southern California Dental Hygiene program is among the 48.
In order for students to attain the Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene, they need to successfully complete the dental hygiene curriculum. This curriculum includes three main categories; Clinical education, General education and coursework in the basic sciences. Students who are undertaking Dental Hygiene program at the University of Southern California gain knowledge about values, ethics, skills as well as several other aspects that are related to the dental hygiene profession.
The curriculum encompasses the assessment of the medical, dental and social histories of patients. It also prepares the students for the provision of clinical, educational and consultative services to a varied range of patients. This is inclusive of mentally challenged, physically challenged, socially disadvantaged, medically compromised and culturally disadvantaged populations or individuals.
The University of Southern California Dental Hygiene program puts an emphasis on the roles of dental hygiene in the community setting including the prevention of disease and the promotion of optimal health. Also included in the curriculum are tobacco cessation methods as well as nutritional counseling.
The program is based on a hands-on approach to learning that is more efficient in helping students find solutions, manage a varied range of dental conditions and patients, interact and collaborate with dentists, perform procedures aimed at prevention and conduct patient outcome evaluation.
Students who seek to apply to the Dental Hygiene program that is offered at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry are encouraged to do so if they are ready.
All applicants are required to have completed the prerequisite coursework and must meet several other criteria to be able to qualify for the Dental Hygiene program.
At the time of a student’s application, the dental hygiene prerequisites must have been completed and the University of Southern California General Education courses must be near completion or fully completed. Because the program is so competitive, most, if not all, prospective students will probably have all of their prerequisites completed before applying.
It is important to note that a student may still apply if a limited number of General Education course requirements and prerequisite coursework requirements are in progress.
The prerequisite courses for the Dental Hygiene program include ten courses:
The English Composition and the General Chemistry and Lab courses take one year to complete. Each of the other 8 courses takes one semester to complete. One semester comprises of two quarters.
The Ostrow School of Dentistry’s Dental Hygiene program at USC enables the students to gain critically important experience through direct interaction with patients. This contact begins early on in the program and is maintained throughout the duration of the curriculum. The students have access to the school clinics which they run under supervision from faculty.
This ensures that they provide yearly oral health services to about 12,000 patients. They also offer medical services to over 17,000 individuals for free every year via the school’s community service programs such as the Mobile Dental Clinic and health fairs. Of all the dental hygiene schools in California, the dental clinic at USC serves the most low income patients.
This is USC, so, yes: EXPENSIVE! The price may give you sticker shock, but there’s a couple of things to keep in mind. First off, the dental hygiene program at USC is one of the most prestigious programs in the Country. Secondly, many, many students receive financial aid, so there’s a high likelyhood that the tuition you see posted isn’t the tuition you’ll actually have to pay. Many of the direct costs you’ll be paying for are the same items you would have to pay at, say, the Cerritos College dental hygiene program. They’re just a LOT more expensive here. So, you’ll still be paying an orientation fee; except at USC, that orientation fee is $405.00! You’ll find that all of the private dental hygiene programs, such as the Concorde Career College dental hygiene program, are more expensive than the programs at California’s Community Colleges.
The “Dental Kit” that is required at other California dental hygiene programs are required at USC also. At USC, though, the cost is more than double, at $9,300! The mandatory “Health Fee”, which is peanuts at the other California programs? $1,300.00 at USC for both years. All in all, it’s just plain EXPENSIVE for the USC dental hygiene program. As for the actual tuition for the 2 years of the actual dental hygiene program? $72,000 for the first year, and $48,000 for the second year. So, for tuition alone, it’s $120,000! Yikes!
On the plus side, though, USC has a Master’s degree program available, and their dental clinic sees thousands of low income patients every year. Exposure to this clinic ensures the students will have access to a wide array of patients, all while under close supervision of the dental hygiene faculty.
USC Dental Hygiene Program 213-740-2805 925 W 34th St Los Angeles, CA 90089
Each year, how many students does the University of Southern California Dental Hygiene program accept?
This dental hygiene program accommodates between 35 and 40 students per year. It is important to note that the program gets over 250 applications every year.
What is the average GPA of the students that are admitted to the dental hygiene program at USC?
Generally, the accommodated students will have an average GPA of 3.25 in the sciences and an overall average GPA of 3.45.
Does the program exclude students past a certain age?
The USC dental hygiene program does not feature an age cap. The students that are admitted will have an average age of 24 years but the program is open to students who are younger or older than this average.
If a student completed their coursework a long time ago and they meet all other requirements, will their applications be valid?
The dental hygiene program accepts transferable coursework. Although there is no time limit, applicants are advised to apply to the program within 5 years following the completion of prerequisite coursework.
How can students confirm transferable coursework status?
Students should log into the University of Southern California articulation website. From there they will be able to input information of their previous schools and check if transferable coursework is applicable.
Is a Bachelor’s degree a requirement for qualification for the USC dental hygiene program?
Students do not need to have a previous degree to warrant admission to the program.
Does a student need to have completed the general education courses and the prerequisite coursework when they apply to the program?
Application to the program is possible if a student has coursework that is yet to be completed. However, they must complete all the prerequisite coursework before the orientation date.
Can a student undertake the prerequisite coursework online?
All science courses and Labs cannot be undertaken through online channels. Other courses outside of the sciences may be taken online.
Is there any importance of previous experience?
The Dental Hygiene faculty at the University of Southern California does encourage students to gain some experience due to the rigorousness of the program. This is achievable through apprenticeship, clinical work and volunteering.