Clinical experience information for the Dental Hygiene bachelor's degree
How many hours will I spend in clinic seeing patients? You will spend at least 12 hours each week seeing patients.
Where do I receive my clinical education? We have community-based clinics and our students have operatories at UT Dentistry clinics at the Center for Oral Health Care & Research.
How many operatories are in the clinic where I will work? There are eight operatories in the Perio/Hygiene Clinic and sixteen operatories on the clinic floor.
Who supervises and teaches? All dental hygiene faculty are assigned to supervise clinic throughout the semester. There is also a supervising dentist who provides local anesthesia, consults, and exams for patients of dental hygiene students. All faculty members will guide and mentor students.
Who are my patients? Patients are members of the San Antonio community. We also serve South Texas at a variety of community clinics in Bexar County.
What clinical rotations will I participate in?
- Geriatric
- Special needs
- Pediatric
- Periodontics
- Serving the homeless
What types of procedures will students be expected to perform to complete in clinic and rotations?
- Periodontal assessments
- Comprehensive dental exams
- Oral cancer screenings
- Tobacco cessation and nutritional counseling
- X-rays
- Apply sealants
- Periodontal therapy, including scaling and planning
- Simple dental cleanings
Rotations are subject to change due to availability.
What else should I know? Our faculty will evaluate students on patient management and clinical competencies. You must serve our patients in a professional way to complete the program.