Fones School of Dental Hygiene Graduate

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene

MS Master of Science

An online Dental Hygiene MS from the Fones School with expertise in education and public health, a 75-hour concentrated practicum, and teledentistry built into the curriculum.

2 yrsFully online coursework
Complete in as little as
75At a field site matched to your goals
Practicum hours
100+New sites added each year
Field sites
3.0Cumulative undergraduate
Minimum GPA

Curriculum

Two areas of expertise

Expand your career into education and public health. You will gain theory and practical experience from faculty experts at UB’s Fones School of Dental Hygiene, the world’s first dental hygiene school, and develop proficiency through student teaching and the concentrated practicum.

EDUCATION

Educational methodologies

A theoretical and practical approach to educational methodologies and their application to dental hygiene academia, with emphasis on curricular assessment, development, implementation and evaluation.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Public health

The overall health and oral health needs of many populations, ways to improve direct access of care, and the leadership roles of the dental hygienist responsible for administering and implementing dental public health programs.

TELEDENTISTRY

Teledentistry

University of Bridgeport is the first and only program in the United States to integrate teledentistry and advanced technology directly into the program’s curriculum.

ONLINE

Online orientation

All students participate in an online orientation before beginning the program, covering the CANVAS course management system, strategies for being a successful online student, and University resources including the Wahlstrom Library’s electronic databases. Successful completion is required of all new students.

Concentrated practicum

Apply your studies in the field

The concentrated practicum allows you to apply your studies in a professional setting that aligns best with your goals. You will work with the course instructor and practicum site to determine the details of the 75-hour commitment.

How it is structured
The work activities are structured based on your interest and decided learning outcomes, with appropriate evaluation mechanisms determined by the site facilitator and the course instructor.
Areas of focus
Student teaching in clinical, laboratory, and didactic settings, research, public health, consumer advocate, publishing, and administrative work.
Field sites
The Fones School of Dental Hygiene has over 100 facilities currently used for the concentrated practicum and student teaching, with new sites added each year as student interest and geographical locations increase.
Partner institutions
Field site agreements include NHTI Concord’s Community College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, College of DuPage in Illinois, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Tunxis Community College in Connecticut, and Monroe Community College in New York.

Admission requirements

How to apply

Completed application and all supporting documents must be received by March 31 for summer entry.

Program prerequisites

  • Active dental hygiene license
  • Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene or a related field from an accredited institution
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • To be completed prior to matriculation. All accepted students are subject to a background check through an external agency; further information will be distributed by your advisor.

Required materials

  • Application
  • Official transcripts for bachelor’s degree and/or dental hygiene degree from the US or Canada, from all institutions of higher education
  • Photocopy of US or Canadian dental hygiene license in good standing
  • International applicants should consult our international admission requirements, or contact an admissions officer with specific questions.
Apply now

Learning outcomes and careers

What you will be able to do

Upon completion of the Dental Hygiene MS degree program, you will use scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and research methodology in developing contemporary theory and best practice; cultivate the incorporation of existing and emerging health informatics and technology within the profession; contribute to and facilitate development of programs based on population need, diversity, and social and cultural sensitivity; promote inter-professional collaboration within an integrated delivery system of health care; and forge the pathway toward expanding the professional landscape of dental hygiene.

Roles graduates hold
Dental health educator, dental hygiene program director, public health advocate, corporate researcher, product developer, and dental health services director.
Where graduates go
Doctoral work, military, myofacial therapy, non-profits, dental hygiene program directorships, independent practice, research, education both on-campus and online, publishing, public health service corporations, hospital-based dental hygiene, and dental school.
A reputation of excellence
The Fones School of Dental Hygiene has built a reputation of excellence since it was established as the world’s first dental hygiene school in 1913.
Program development skills
Experience and knowledge will be gained in program development, grant writing, research, and methodologies effective in improving oral health.
Career assistance

Center for Career Development

UB’s Center for Career Development helps graduates prepare for entrance into the workforce. Services include resume and cover letter building, interview preparation, negotiation, goal assessment, and personal branding.

Course catalog

Every course, in full

View all courses offered and read full course descriptions in our online course catalog system.

Start your application

Applications for summer entry close March 31.