Fones School of Dental Hygiene Undergraduate

Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene

AS Associate of Science

An associate degree in Dental Hygiene from the Fones School, the first dental hygiene school in the world, with a working clinic and community outreach serving more than 9,000 people a year.

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1949The first dental hygiene school in the world

Fones founded

9,000+Screenings, education, and referrals

People served a year

50Direct observation and supervised fieldwork

Internship hours

2.7Cumulative, to be considered

Minimum GPA

Curriculum

What you will study

Dental hygienists provide critical services, educating patients on the prevention and treatment of oral disease. At UB, you can reach your dream career faster with an associate degree in Dental Hygiene.

YEAR 1

Pre-Dental foundation

During your first year as a Pre-Dental student, you will grow your skills in collaboration, communication, and time management while taking courses in humanities, mathematics, and the natural and social sciences.

PRE-CLINIC

Pre-clinic

During your first semester you will go into pre-clinic, growing your skills working with your peers in UB’s state-of-the-art dental clinic.

CLINIC

Direct patient care

Once you demonstrate competence in pre-clinic, you will have the opportunity to provide direct care to patients in our dental clinic through programs like Senior Smiles and Give Kids a Smile.

FACULTY

Clinical professionals

You will learn from clinical professionals and expert faculty in UB’s state-of-the-art dental clinic and dental hygiene lab.

The Fones School of Dental Hygiene

The first dental hygiene school in the world

Established in 1949, the Fones School of Dental Hygiene was the first dental hygiene school in the world. You will learn from clinical professionals and expert faculty in UB’s state-of-the-art dental clinic and dental hygiene lab. As you grow your skills, you will have the opportunity to further your experience with internship opportunities through UB’s community partnerships. Dental and dental hygiene professionals recognize the name of the Fones School as standing for excellence in the education it provides to future dental hygienists and, most notably, for its outreach and public health services, which are considered innovative and models for other dental hygiene schools across the country.

1949

Established

First

Dental hygiene school in the world

Admission requirements

How to apply

Applications are reviewed by the Fones School of Dental Hygiene.

What to submit

Completed University of Bridgeport application
Fones School of Dental Hygiene Supplemental Application (PDF)
Cumulative G.P.A of 2.7 or higher
Successful completion of required pre-requisites within 7 years with a C or better: English Composition, Intermediate Algebra, Chemistry, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2
Transcripts from any colleges/universities attended
Proof of high school completion or its equivalent
Personal Statement
2 Recommender Forms (PDF)
International applicants should consult our international admission requirements, or contact an admissions officer with specific questions.

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Service learning

Community outreach, since Dr. Fones

The community service component of the Fones School of Dental Hygiene is renowned among dental hygiene programs. Its purpose is to continue the community outreach philosophy of Dr. Alfred C. Fones, applying the theories and concepts of public health when providing oral health care to community populations.

Reach

Fones students and faculty provide oral health education, screenings, preventive services, and referrals to more than 9,000 people annually in Southwestern Connecticut and adjacent regions. The school is an important health delivery resource in the Greater Bridgeport area and is highly regarded in Connecticut as well as nationally.

Clinical treatment sites

Fones Dental Hygiene Health Center, the Integrative Clinic in UB Clinics, Yale-New Haven Hospital Hamden Dental Center, Norwalk Hospital Dental Clinic, Southwest Community Health Center, and Jettie S. Tisdale Elementary School.

Community education

Public and private K-12 school children, Head Start, day care and nursery school children, pregnant adolescents, mentally, physically and emotionally challenged populations, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, homeless shelters, nursing homes, senior centers, and adult day care centers.

Supervision

These services are provided by students enrolled full time in the accredited educational program leading to an associate degree in Dental Hygiene, and are supervised by Connecticut-licensed dental hygienists.

Career outcomes

Where a dental hygiene degree leads

Dental hygienists can perform their job duties in several environments such as dental offices, clinics and hospitals. For those who wish to pursue a career path outside of seeing patients, positions are available in education, research, administration, public health, and corporate business.

Where hygienists work

Dental hygienists work in hospitals, private dental clinics, schools, nursing homes, and community health care centers, providing direct care to patients of all ages.

Internships

Under the guidance of your course instructor, you will select a field site in an alternative practice setting. With the help of the site’s primary mentor you will set goals and objectives that make you an integral member of the organization and provide 50 hours of direct observation, participation, and supervised teaching or fieldwork.

Internship locations

Centrix Dental, Inc., Shelton, CT. Community Health Centers, CT. Fones School of Dental Hygiene. Middlesex County College, Edison, NJ. North Hampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA. Norwalk Hospital Dental Clinic, Norwalk, CT. Open Door Family Medical Center, Ossining, NY. Porter and Chester Institute, CT. Stratford, CT Health Department.

An in-demand field

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a faster-than-average increase in dental hygienist jobs by 2031. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021.

Career services

Career Development at UB

Career Development connects you with career opportunities. Our knowledgeable and skilled career counselors are available to meet with you on a one-on-one basis to assist with resume writing, internship search, job hunting for post-graduation opportunities, and anything else that will help you to land your dream job.

Course catalog