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.
Note: Deductions can be taken for repeated courses and science coursework 5 years and older.
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 29, 2025 at 5:00pm (MST)
Please download the UNM DENTAL HYGIENE APPLICATION CHECKLIST
In order to apply to the program, once the Admissions Qualifications are met, students must complete and provide the following:
Academic Advisor:
Krystal Zaragoza, kzaragoza@salud.unm.edu
To schedule an appointment please go to LoboAchieve
UNM and Non-UNM students can schedule appointments using LoboAchieve
Worksheet for Admissions Criteria
For general questions, please call 505-272-4513
Required Advisement is a group meet that does not require students to sign-up in advance. The meeting is a short 20 to 30-minute presentation to review the requirements to apply to the program that year. All students who intend to apply to the program that year (for the next cohort the application is due August 29, 2025) should attend at least ONE Required Advisement meeting as it is a required step to complete your application
Private one-on-one meetings can be made with the advisor, Krystal Zaragoza, via LoboAchieve. However, advisement does not meet the Required Advisement meeting application requirement.
Students who are completing prerequisites for the program, or are interested in dental hygiene, may also attend.
Students should attend Required Advisement at least once in the calendar year they are applying.
Required Advising Sessions (All sessions are in Mountain Time)
All sessions take place via Zoom unless otherwise specified. Should students attend an event in North Campus at Novitski Hall, students are responsible for finding appropriate parking on North Campus at Novitski Hall.
Zoom Link: https://hsc-unm.zoom.us/j/94414448804
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.
Goal #1 Education: Prepare students, through appropriate academic and clinical education, to be qualified dental professionals utilizing a competency-based curriculum.
DH 1.1 Apply the knowledge of the following sciences during the dental hygiene process of care:
DH 1.2 Apply the knowledge of the following behavioral sciences during the dental hygiene process of care:
Goal #2 Patient Care: 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.
2.1 Assessment
DH 2.1.1 Accurately collect and document a comprehensive medical, dental, social health history and diagnostic data.
DH 2.1.2 Critically analyze all collected data.
DH 2.1.3 Identify predisposing, etiologic, environmental and social risk factors for person- centered care.
2.2 Dental Hygiene Diagnosis
DH 2.2.1 Analyze comprehensive medical, dental and social health history.
DH 2.2.2 Integrate observational and diagnostic data as part of the dental hygiene diagnosis.
DH 2.2.3 Use predisposing, etiologic, environmental and social risk factors for person-centered care.
2.3 Planning
DH 2.3.1 Use the patient’s assessment to establish an optimal and realistic, person-centered dental hygiene care plan through mutual communication.
DH 2.3.2 Use all aspects of the dental hygiene diagnosis in combination with the person’s values, beliefs and preferences to develop a dental hygiene care plan through shared decision- making.
2.4 Implementation
DH 2.4.1 Obtain informed consent based on the agreed-upon treatment plan.
DH 2.4.2 Execute individualized treatment based on the patient’s dental hygiene diagnosis.
DH 2.4.3 Integrate educational, preventive and therapeutic services to provide comprehensive person-centered care.
DH 2.4.4 Use specialized skills and evidenced-based technology to promote dental and periodontal health.
DH 2.4.5 Continuously re-evaluate for modifications to achieve desired outcomes.
2.5 Evaluation and Documentation
DH 2.5.1 Evaluate the effectiveness of completed services.
DH 2.5.2 Analyze treatment outcomes of the dental hygiene process of care to determine improved health and modifications.
DH 2.5.3 Modify dental hygiene care plans as necessary to meet goals of patient and clinician.
DH 2.5.4 Identify necessary referrals for success of the treatment outcomes, including intra-professional and interprofessional health care providers, supporting professions and patient advocates.
DH 2.5.5 Accurately document assessment findings and data, dental hygiene diagnosis and care plan, implementation, outcome evaluation and any communication between professionals and patient and anyone else in the circle of care.
Goal #3 (Professional Development/Research): Create a positive and rewarding academic environment through the provision of development programs that facilitate continued growth and enrichment of all students and faculty.
Also, included here are some competencies aligned with Goal #1 (Education).
1. Professionalism
1.1 Apply professional values & ethics in all endevours.
1.2 Adhere to accreditation standards & federal, state, & local & regulations.
1.3 Promote quality assurance practices based on accepted standards of care.
1.4 Demonstrate interpersonal skills to effectively communicate & collaborate with professionals & patients across socioeconmoic & cultural backgrounds.
2. Saftey
2.1 Comply with local, state, & federal regulations concerning infection control protocols for blood-borne & respiratory pathogens, other infectious diseases & hazardous materials.
2.2 Follow manufacturers' recommendations related to materials & equipment used in practice.
2.3 Establish & enforce mechanisms to ensure the managment of emergencies.
2.4 Use security guidelines & compliance training to create & maintain a safe, eco-friendly & sustainable practice compatible with emerging trends.
2.5 Ensure a humanistic approach to care.
2.6 Uphold a respectful & emotionally safe environment for patients & practictioners.
3. Critical Thinking
3.1 Demonstrate critical & analytical reasoning to identify & develop comprehensive oral health care solutions & protocols.
3.2 Apply individual & population risk factors, social determinants of health & scientific research to promote improved health & enhanced quality of life.
4. Scientific Inquiry & Research
4.1 Support research activitites & develop research skills.
4.2 Use evidence-based decision-making to evaluate & implement health care strategies aligned with emerging trends to achieve high-quality, cost-effective & humanistic care.
4.3 Integrate accepted scientific theories & research into educational, preventive, & therapeutic oral health services.
5. Professional Growth
5.1 Commit to lifelong learning for professional & career opportunities in a variety of roles & settings.
5.2 Engage in research, education, industry involvement, technological, & professional developments and/or advanced degrees.
5.3 Demonstrate self-awareness through reflective assessment for continued improvement.
6. Business Practices
6.1 Facilitate referrals to & consultations with relevant health care providers & other professionals to promote equitable and optimal patient care.
6.2 Promote economic growth & sustainability by meeting practice goals.
6.3 Create & maintain comprehensive, timely & accurate records.
6.4 Protect privacy, confidentiality & security of the patients & the practice by complying with legislation, practice standards, ethics & organizational policies.
7. Leadership
7.1 Develop & use effective strategies to facilitate change.
7.2 Inspire & network with others to nurture collegial affiliations.
7.3 Solicit & provide contstructive feedback to promote professional growth of self.
Goal # 4 (Professional Service): Foster opportunities, utilizing resources both locally and nationally, for faculty and student involvement in service activities that are consistent with personal development goals and that promote dental health as an integral component in the overall health and welfare of the community.
8. Health Education & Community Connection
8.1 Endorse health literacy & disease prevention.
8.2 Communicate & provide health education & oral self-care to diverse populations.
8.3 Facilitate learning platforms for communities of interest by providing health education through collaboration with dental & other professionals.
8.4 Promote the values of the detnal profession through service-based activities.
8.5 Evaluate outcomes for future activities supporting health & wellness of individuals & communities.
9. Advocacy
9.1 Promote an ethical & equitable patient care & practice environment by demonstrating inclusion of diverse beliefs & values.
9.2 Uphold civic & social engagement through active involvement in professional affiliations to advance oral health.
Goal #5 (Recruitment): Recruit and retain the highest quality of faculty and students.