Explore the Pre-Dental Hygiene program
Dental hygienists focus on preventive care, which includes cleaning teeth, evaluating gums, and providing fluoride treatments to maintain overall dental health. Becoming a dental hygienist can be appealing due to its emphasis on patient care, flexible work hours, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on individuals’ health. While the training for dental hygienists is less extensive than for dentists, it equips students with essential skills to promote good oral hygiene practices.
Wayne State's program allows students to complete two years of foundational coursework before transferring to a professional dental hygiene school for an additional two years. At the end of the four years, you’ll have a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene.
Our Pre-Dental Club also offers networking opportunities, mentorship, and resources for students who want to become dental hygienists. Wayne State’s supportive environment and commitment to student success make it an excellent choice for those pursuing this fulfilling career.
Local dental hygiene schools
- University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry (Lincoln, Neb.)
- University of Nebraska Omaha College of Dentistry (Omaha, Neb.)
Fast facts
Degree options: This program is set up so you will spend two years at WSC and two years at a professional dental hygiene school in order to obtain your bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.
Delivery format: On campus (Wayne, Neb.)
School: Science, Health, and Criminal Justice
Departments: Life Sciences
Your path to becoming a dental hygienist
Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)
The dental hygiene track within RHOP is designed for rural Nebraska students interested in returning to rural areas to practice dentistry. In this program, you’ll spend 2 years at WSC before transferring to the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s (UNMC’s) College of Dentistry in Lincoln, where you’ll finish your undergraduate studies and receive a B.S. in Dental Hygiene. Participants in RHOP receive a full-tuition scholarship at WSC, guaranteed admission to UNMC, one-on-one advising, and early registration privileges.
Rural Health Opportunities Program
Pre-Dental Hygiene internships and job shadowing
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Dregalla Family Dentistry (Pender, Neb.)
- Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Kersenbrock Dental Care (O’Neill, Neb.)
- Wakefield Dental Practice (Wakefield, Neb.)
Topics covered in the Pre-Dental Hygiene program
- Biological systems and structures
- Cellular biology
- Microbiology
- Human anatomy and physiology
- General chemistry
- Modern lab techniques
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Research, observation, and analysis of data
Below is list of benchmarks to help you prepare for admission to dental hygiene school.
- Meet with your Pre-Dental Hygiene program advisor to create a personalized plan.
- Join the Pre-Dental Club at WSC to engage in health-related activities and participate in networking events.
- Research dental hygiene schools and learn about their admission requirements. Be mindful of prerequisite course and GPA requirements, location, costs, program reputation, and entrance exams score requirements. Inquire with the professional school for any specific questions and guidance.
- Study and practice for the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH). The ATDH should be taken before entering a dental hygiene education program in the U.S.
- Take the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH).
- Ask people if they would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are statements from professors, supervisors, or other professionals that detail your academic abilities, interpersonal skills, and character. Check with each school you plan to apply to for the number and type of letters they require.
- Work on essays or personal statements - Your personal statement or essay is an opportunity to expand upon unique experiences and events and adds a personal dimension to your application. Work with professors or advisors to have your statement reviewed.
- Complete the application process
- Schools and/or centralized applications services may have application deadlines. There is often a processing time after you submit.
- Some schools may also require a secondary application for their program. This application deadline will be after you submit your centralized application. Each school you apply to will let you know what steps you need to complete after you submit your centralized application.
- Interview with dental hygiene schools if required. Make sure to practice by doing a mock interview.
- Make admissions decisions - Admissions committees will review your application to decide on your admission to their program.
Graduates of the Pre-Dental Hygiene program work in their field or continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College.
Recent students are pursuing their dental hygiene degrees at the following schools:
- University of Nebraska Medical Center - College of Dentistry (Lincoln, Neb.)
Career possibilities:
- Dental hygienist
- Dental hygiene instructor
- Dental equipment and supply sales
- Dental health educator

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
2024-25 Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
cost per credit hour
Tuition: $5,880
Fees: $2,290.50
Food plan: $4,690
Housing: $4,730
Most Affordable College in Nebraska
- College Affordability Guide, 2024
Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.
Pre-Dental Hygiene Program of Study
The courses listed below cover all the prerequisites for dental hygiene school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), though you may attend any dental hygiene school that you wish. In addition to courses for your major, you will complete 30 credit hours of General Studies courses. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements. Participation in the Pre-Dental Hygiene program at WSC does not guarantee acceptance to a dental hygiene school.
Admission to UNMC's Dental Hygiene program
A minimum of 63 hours of pre-professional coursework and all courses listed below are required for admission to UNMC. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for consideration for admission.
Note: UNMC does not require a college math course if you have had two years of high school algebra and one year of high school geometry. Math by advisement if ACT score is below 20.
- BIO 110 Biology Concepts (4 credits) - The first course for biology majors. A grade of C- or better in this course is a prerequisite for all biology courses in the biology concentration. A study of the microscope, basic cell structure and function, DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, evolution, population biology, and diversity. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisite: One year of high school biology or BIO 102 Biology for General Studies
- BIO 220 Human Anatomy (4 credits) - Study of the anatomic structure of the human organism. The 11 organ systems of the human and representative quadrupeds will be examined in detail with lecture, dissection, and other laboratory exercises. Dissection is required of all students taking this course. An understanding of human anatomy is beneficial for students that will ultimately enroll in advanced courses of cell biology, histology, comparative vertebrate embryology and anatomy, and parasitology. Having training in human anatomy is also beneficial for students interested in health-related and biomedical careers. (3 hours lecture and one 3 hour lab) $20 class fee required.Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts
- BIO 340 Human Physiology (4 credits) - A study of the fundamental physiological processes of the human body. Functions of the 11 organ systems will be studied. (3 hours lecture and one 3-hour lab) $20 class fee required. Prerequisite: BIO 220 Human Anatomy and CHE 106 General Chemistry I
- BIO 385 Microbiology (4 credits) - Topics of study detail the structure and physiology of microorganisms including mechanisms of pathogenesis. Beneficial aspects of microorganisms are also discussed with regard to both the human body and the environment. Lab techniques include microbial identification, enumeration procedures and student designed research. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee $20 required. Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, and CHE 106 General Chemistry I
- BIO 110 Biology Concepts (4 credits) - The first course for biology majors. A grade of C- or better in this course is a prerequisite for all biology courses in the biology concentration. A study of the microscope, basic cell structure and function, DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, evolution, population biology, and diversity. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisite: One year of high school biology or BIO 102 Biology for General Studies
- CHE 106 General Chemistry I (4 credits) - Emphasis on nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding, gaseous and liquid states, equilibrium, and stoichiometry. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 102 Chemistry for General Studies
- CHE 107 General Chemistry II (4 credits) - A continuation of CHE 106 General Chemistry I with emphasis on kinetics, redox reactions, molecular geometry, hydrolysis, electrochemistry, and solubility products. Qualitative analysis included. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 106 General Chemistry I, or instructor permission
- CNA 100 Principles of Human Communication (3 credits) - Students will acquire knowledge of the elements and models of communication in a variety of situations. In particular, students will learn about the nature of interpersonal, small group, public speaking, and organizational communication. Beyond this, the student will prepare and present speeches and public presentations in interpersonal, small group, organizational, and public speaking settings, and contexts. “C” or above required for educator preparation students.
- ENG 102 Composition Skills (3 credits) - This course provides instruction and practice in a variety of writing, reading, and critical thinking skills, with emphasis on forming experiences, ideas, and opinions into a coherent essay. The types of writing assignments vary among instructors, but students can expect to write expressive, analytical, and persuasive essays, some of which will involve the use of secondary sources. This course will hone students’ grammatical and punctuation skills, as needed. Grade below “C” receives no credit.
- ENG 206 Workplace Writing (3 credits) - This course focuses on writing genres commonly used in professional workplaces, including correspondence (letters, memos, and emails) as well as reports, proposals, and lab reports. Students will learn to write polished, professional communication, focusing content for specific audiences and contexts. The instruction emphasizes audience and situational analysis, clarity, professional tone and style, as well as elements of format and pattern, research, and revision techniques. Prerequisite: ENG 102 Composition Skills or an equivalent course
- FCS 207 Nutrition (3 credits) - A study of the basic nutrients and their relationship to physical, mental, and emotional health. Nutritional requirements and dietary planning for all age groups. The use of the computer for dietary analysis, evaluation of the analysis, and application to daily eating habits.
- PSY 101 General Psychology (3 credits) - An overview of human behavior from various psychological perspectives. Topics covered include learning, maturation, biological foundations, motivation, perception, personality development, personal awareness, abnormal behavior, and social behavior.
- SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) - An introduction to the study of human social behavior, society and its values, social organization, institutions, and processes. Some topics included are socialization, minorities, deviance, gender roles, the family, social stratification, and social change.
- CHE 106 General Chemistry I (4 credits) - Emphasis on nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding, gaseous and liquid states, equilibrium, and stoichiometry. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 102 Chemistry for General Studies
12-hour series
Students must elect one 12-hour series in one specific area of study – e.g., humanities, social sciences, or English. All courses in the 12-hour series must have the same prefix.Example of a 12-hour series: PSY 101 General Psychology, PSY 230 Life Span Development, PSY 316 Social Psychology, and PSY 345 Health Psychology
A total of 24 hours in biology will also satisfy the requirement.
Art/Humanites electives
6 credit hours required. Examples of arts and humanities electives: English literature, philosophy, art history, or drawing.Social science elective
3 credit hours required. Examples of social science electives: sociology, economics, political science, geography.
Suggested minors
Students in the Pre-Dental Hygiene program at Wayne State can add a minor to complement their program of study. Suggested minors include:
Related programs
Students interested in the Pre-Dental Hygiene program may also be interested in:

Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Life Sciences Department faculty

Douglas Christensen, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Doug Christensen is a biology professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests include utilization of molecular biology in a broad range of sciences (including medical, environmental, and industrial fields); teaching about battles between the immune system and the evolving world of bacteria and viruses; microbiology; molecular genetics; and immunology.

Buffany DeBoer, MSE
Instructor
Buffany DeBoer is a biology instructor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests are general education biology and environmental science.

Mark Hammer, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Mark Hammer is a biology professor at Wayne State College. He advises students who are interested in a career as a conservation biologist, physician assistant (including RHOP pre-PA), or occupational therapist. He is also the director of the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum.

Michael Mutehart, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Michael Mutehart is a life sciences professor at Wayne State College. Mutehart has a strong background in clinical anatomy education. His teaching responsibilities are mainly in the field of human gross anatomy and its related counterparts (histology, comparative anatomy, etc.).

Shawn Pearcy, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Shawn Pearcy is a biology professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests are biology, human physiology, vertebrate embryology, and physiological ecology.

Danielle Peekenschneider, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Danielle Peekenschneider is a biology professor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include general education biology, oncology, and immunology.

Jillian Wormington, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Jillian Wormington is a biology professor at Wayne State College and the zoological curator of the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum.
Get in touch
Department of Life Sciences
Carhart Science Building, Room 106
Phone: 402-375-7329
Student clubs for Pre-Dental Hygiene majors
Biology Club - For students interested in biological sciences
Health Science Club - For students pursuing careers in health-related fields
Pre-Dental Club - For students pursuing dentist and dental hygienist careers

Awards and Rankings
Recognized for excellence
Best Colleges for Health Sciences in Nebraska
CampusReel recognized Wayne State as one of the Best Colleges in Nebraska for Health Sciences based on alumni salaries after graduation, student loan debt, and other metrics.

A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Best College of Distinction for our excellence in student engagement, teaching, community, and successful graduate outcomes.

A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.

Where you'll learn
Students in this program will take courses in Carhart Science, home to WSC's math and science programs. Carhart Science features several labs for chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, plant science, zoology, genetics, microbiology, physics, Earth science, fermentation, and science education. Additionally, there is a molecular-based student research lab, microscopy suite, a cadaver lab, and a cell culture facility.

Your next steps
