Pre-Professional Program, Dental Hygiene

Pre-Professional Program

UWA has a linkage program in cooperation with Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, in various fields of allied health. Students complete academic course work at UWA, then apply to transfer to the professional phase of the program at Wallace State Community College. Students completing the program will be awarded the associate degree from Wallace State. Acceptance into the clinical phase is on a competitive basis as students throughout the state compete for available positions. Students should see UWA Health Linkage Coordinator for additional information.

All associate degree programs at Wallace State require completion of the following courses at UWA with a grade of “C” or higher in each course counted toward the degree:

• BY 101 . Principles of Biology (4) (4)
• BY 231 . Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4) (4)
• BY 232 . Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4) (4)
• EH 101 . Written English I (3) (3)
• EH 102 . Written English II (3) (3)
• MH 113 . Precalculus Algebra (3) (3)
• PY 100 . General Psychology (3) (3)
• SH 100 . Principles of Public Speaking (3) (3)
• UWA 101 . Freshman Seminar (2) (2)
• Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3)

Dental Hygiene

As a practicing member of the dental health team, the dental hygienist acts as an educator and motivator in maintenance of oral health and the prevention of dental diseases. There are many professional roles the dental hygienist may assume, participation in community health programs; dental office managerial roles; and participation in research activities. Employment opportunities in this field are many as most dentists employ more than one dental hygienist. Hygienists are in demand in general dental practices, as well as in specialty practices such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry. Hygienists may also be employed to provide dental hygiene services for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and public health clinics.