Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science Degree
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, composed of 128 credits opens the world of opportunities in the profession of Dental Hygiene. It is the foremost degree to advance your professional capabilities and secure many employment opportunities in various roles for the dental hygienist. These roles may include the administrator, clinician, corporate, educator, entrepreneur, public health and researcher.
BS degree with a Dental Hygiene Concentration includes unique internship opportunities in areas of focus, such as education, research, public health, healthcare management, specialty clinical rotations, and pharmaceutical sales, marketing & business development. The classes offered within this concentration are unique in that they familiarize the students with varied aspects of healthcare beyond the clinical scope of practice. In the field of dental hygiene, a BS degree will create more innovative employment opportunities within the field of dentistry and dental hygiene and additional healthcare venues. Two required internships must be completed and are carefully selected by the student with faculty advisement.
The Department of Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting offers BS students the opportunity to apply for a scholarship when enrolling in our internship courses.
Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree Program in Dental Hygiene is comprised of lecture courses in dental and health sciences along with clinical and hands-on experience. The 78 credit curriculum is offered as a "fast-track" 17-month program (PDF), a two-year program (PDF) or a three-year program (PDF). Dental hygiene students are prepared to perform competently in providing preventive and therapeutic patient oral health care. The dental hygiene program, located within the NYU College of Dentistry, allows students to work side by side with dental (DDS) students, dental faculty and dental hygiene faculty in the clinical portion of the curriculum. By working in these clinical settings with culturally diverse patients, dental hygiene students gain invaluable knowledge and experiences.
The NYU dental hygiene program is further enhanced by clinical rotations and outreaches. As part of the clinical requirements, students rotate through specialty areas such as orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and hospital clinics, while improving their clinical expertise. Domestic and international outreach opportunities in underserved areas are available to students in their second year. Selected students continue to work closely with dental students and other faculty members, providing comprehensive dental treatment to those who may not have access to care.
Upon completion of the 78-credit curriculum, students are qualified to take the clinical board examinations and the dental hygiene national boards, which are requirements for state licensure.
The programs in dental hygiene are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and have been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. For more information please visit the Commission’s website.