Dental hygienists are licensed professional members of the health care industry who work to promote and maintain oral health in the population. Working in a variety of settings, career options include:
Download the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Brochure
The Dental Hygiene program at The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is a five-semester curriculum that starts in the spring semester. Each class of 24 students is selected through the Division of Dental Hygiene's admissions process.
Click here for Full Curriculum, including Prerequisites
Student selection is based upon grades in the pre-professional courses, state residency, shadowing experience and a personal interview, whenever possible. Out-of-state applications are considered, but New Mexico residents receive preferential consideration. New Mexicans should be prepared to document state residency if requested to do so.
Next Application Cycle opens January 1, 2024, Applications due August 23, 2024
In order to apply to the program students must:
Admissions Criteria: | Weighting Factor |
Overall GPA | 10% |
Prerequisites GPA |
25% |
Science GPA | 45% |
Personal Interview | 10% |
Full Time Student Status | 10%* |
*Full 10% given for 2 years of 12 or above credit hours, 5% given for 1 year of 12 or above credit hours.
Note: Deductions can be taken for repeated courses. These weighting percentages are subject to change as deemed appropriated by the Admissions Committee.
For additional information, including prerequisite requirements, read the attached brochure. BSDH Entry Level Brochure [PDF]
Complete applications are due August 25, 2023 at 11:59pm (MST)
In order to apply to the program, once the Admissions Qualifications are met, students must complete and provide the following:
Academic Advisors:
Krystal Zaragoza, kzaragoza@salud.unm.edu
Georgia Moos, gmoos@salud.unm.edu
To schedule an appointment please go to LoboAchieve
UNM and Non-UNM students can schedule appointments using LoboAchieve
In order to apply to the program students must:
Admissions Criteria: | Weighting Factor |
Overall GPA | 10% |
Prerequisites GPA |
25% |
Science GPA | 45% |
Personal Interview | 10% |
Full Time Student Status | 10%* |
*Full 10% given for 2 years of 12 or above credit hours, 5% given for 1 year of 12 or above credit hours.
Note: Deductions can be taken for repeated courses. These weighting percentages are subject to change as deemed appropriated by the Admissions Committee.
For additional information, including prerequisite requirements, read the attached brochure. BSDH Entry Level Brochure [PDF]
Complete applications are due August 25, 2023 at 11:59pm (MST)
In order to apply to the program, once the Admissions Qualifications are met, students must complete and provide the following:
Academic Advisors:
Krystal Zaragoza, kzaragoza@salud.unm.edu
Georgia Moos, gmoos@salud.unm.edu
To schedule an appointment please go to LoboAchieve
UNM and Non-UNM students can schedule appointments using LoboAchieve
Required Advising Sessions via Zoom (All sessions are 12 (noon) to 1 p.m. MDT)
Zoom Link: https://hsc-unm.zoom.us/j/94414448804
Required Advising will return January 2024 |
If you have any questions about the program, please make an appointment with krystal Zaragoza in LoboAchieve. LoboAchieve.unm.edu
Dental hygiene students at The University of New Mexico School of Medicine are responsible for a number of expenses in addition to tuition, online course fees, housing, board exams, books and other usual college expenses.
A one-time fee of $4,000 covers the purchase of the student instrument kit and uniforms. This expense is due during the first week of classes in the first year of dental hygiene school. This fee may change without notice.
Laboratory and clinical fees are $2,000 per year except in your junior year, which is $2,600. Fees are subject to change on approval from UNM’s Chancellor for Health Sciences.
Dental hygiene applicants should be aware that upon graduation from the dental hygiene program, they must take licensing boards in order to practice.
The Dental Hygiene National Board, which tests a candidate's competency in didactic material, costs approximately $400.
Clinical proficiency is tested in a separate board examination commonly called the "State Board." New Mexico does not conduct a separate state board, but instead belongs to a regional licensing body called the Western Regional Examination Board. Although successful completion of this examination enables hygienists to practice in the states participating the regional board, it's quite costly –approximately $1,200.
Please see the WREB website or visit Central Regional Dental Services for more information.
New Mexico also administers a separate jurisprudence exam, which costs $110, and a state background check costs about $300.
Miscellaneous costs, such as graduation expenses and professional dues (including the student professional association) also arise. Such expenses can vary depending upon an individual student’s preferences (UNM's graduation expenses are not optional, however).
Please note that all fees are estimates and are subject to change from year to year.
Prepare students through appropriate academic and clinical education to be qualified dental professionals utilizing a competency-based curriculum [PDF].
Dental hygienists must be able to systematically collect, analyze and accurately record baseline data on the general, oral and psychosocial health status using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.
Dental hygienists must be able to provide treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic procedures to promote and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals.
Dental hygienists must be able to evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify as necessary.
Provide comprehensive dental hygiene treatment and referrals to those individuals served by the University through a complete, sequential, and fully monitored system of oral health care delivery.
Entry-level dental hygienists must be able to discern and manage ethical issues of dental hygiene practice in a rapidly changing environment.
Dental hygienists must be able to provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote optimal health.
Entry-level dental hygienists must be able to initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities for diverse populations.
Create a positive and rewarding academic environment through the provision of scholarly programs that facilitate continued growth and enrichment of all students and faculty.
Entry-level dental hygienists must be able to acquire and synthesize information in a critical, scientific and effective manner.
Foster opportunities by utilizing resources, both locally and nationally, for faculty and student involvement in activities that are consistent with professional development and promote dental health as an integral component of community health.
Entry-level dental hygienists must be concerned with improving the knowledge, skill, and values of the profession.
Recruit and retain the highest quality of faculty and students.