Overview

The Dental Hygiene programme at the University of South Dakota provides a comprehensive education focused on oral health promotion and disease prevention. Students engage in collaborative learning environments that mirror the modern healthcare industry, ensuring they are prepared for professional practice. This degree combines rigorous academic study with diverse clinical placements to foster clinical confidence.

Why Dental Hygiene at the University of South Dakota?

Students benefit from being part of the state's only dental hygiene programme, which is a regional leader in healthcare education. The University of South Dakota maintains a 99% success rate on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, a record held for over 15 years. The programme is fully accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation and features state-of-the-art facilities like the Delta Dental Oral Health Center.

The curriculum emphasises interdisciplinary practice, allowing students to work alongside peers from various health sciences. Hands-on training is a cornerstone of the experience, with clinical rotations occurring in diverse settings such as schools, nursing homes, tribal hospitals, and correctional facilities. These opportunities ensure graduates are versatile and ready to serve various communities.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 13299 per year
National fee: USD 13299 per year
Local fee: USD 9687 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to equip students with the technical and theoretical knowledge required for professional licensure. Modules may include:

Head and Neck Anatomy
Medical/Dental Emergencies
Oral Health Education
Clinical Dental Hygiene
Oral Disease Prevention
Public Dental Health Services
Dental Office Internship

Careers with Dental Hygiene

Graduates are prepared for immediate employment as dental hygienists in traditional private practices and community clinics. Beyond clinical roles, the programme equips students for diverse career paths in dental sales, education, and research laboratories. Opportunities also exist within the military and various public health organisations.

The comprehensive training ensures that alumni are competitive candidates for roles involving oral cancer screenings and public health presentations. By focusing on leadership and communication, the University of South Dakota produces professionals capable of managing patient care teams and contributing to the evolving field of dentistry.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Pharmacology
Embryology/Histology
Oral Pathology
Medical and Dental Emergencies
Dental Materials
Clinical Skills Development
Dental Anatomy

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Vermillion, United States

Disciplines

Dentistry View 112 other Bachelors in Dentistry in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

IELTS & PTE Test Preparation

E2 Language Test Prep

Trusted by 7M+ Students

Start Studying Today

Admission to your dream university starts with a high IELTS or PTE score. Earn your target score with E2's guided test preparation.

Study on your own schedule
Live classes with current and ex-examiners
Accurate score assesment, always
E2 Score Guarantee - Get your score or your money back!

Other requirements

General requirements

Department minimum GPA on scored prerequisite courses is 3.0. No applications will be considered with a scored prerequisite GPA lower than 3.0.
Demonstrate English language proficiency by meeting one of the following.
Application Fee
Passport

Official Statement of Finances
To be eligible for the Dental Hygiene Program, you will need to complete items such as prerequisite courses, dental office experience, and other application materials. This list isn’t all inclusive.
All prerequisite courses (both unscored and scored prerequisite courses) must be completed or in progress at application deadline, which is February 1, and all must be completed by June 1. Scored science prerequisite courses greater than 10 years old will not be accepted.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

13299 USD / year

≈ 13299 USD / year
Out-of-State

13299 USD / year

≈ 13299 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

9687 USD / year

≈ 9687 USD / year

Living costs

Vermillion

United States

1024 - 1781 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Dental Hygiene.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

IELTS & PTE Test Preparation

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

IELTS & PTE Test Preparation

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Vermillion

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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