School of Dentistry
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Dental Hygiene Bachelor Completion Program Admissions Process

The Bachelor Completion program is for licensed dental hygienists in the U.S. or Canada. During our admissions process, a maximum of 12 students may be admitted. The curriculum is offered fully online on a full or part-time basis.

Our program uses an external source to process applications, the Dental Hygiene Centralized Application System, DHCAS offered through the American Dental Education Association, ADEA.  

How to Apply

Mail your $60.00 fee to:
UT Health San Antonio
Periodontics-Division of Dental Hygiene, MC 7904
Attn: Martha Browning
7703 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229

  • Transfer Credits earned from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene school in the U.S. or Canada are applied toward a bachelor’s degree.

  • Up to 6 credit hours of prerequisites may be in progress during the spring semester before admittance, with all science courses completed by the prior fall semester. The six credit hours must be completed, and transcripts must be submitted by May 30

  • An entrance exam, ACT, or SAT is not required.

Admissions Timeline

  • October 26 - December 31 - The application period open for the following academic year

  • October 26 - January 15 - Submit all transcripts to ADEA DHCAS

  • December 31 - Deadline for submitting the application

  • January 15 - Deadline for submitting final transcripts from all schools

  • May 1 - Applicants notified of acceptance status

  • June - Online registration

  • July - The Fall semester begins the first week of July / subject to change.

  • July - Attend mandatory in-person 8-hour orientation on the first-day term officially begins.

Essential Functions

  • All dental hygiene students at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry must perform certain essential functions to complete the curriculum successfully.

  • Cognitive functions: All students must be able to solve problems using the ability to understand and retain knowledge derived from readings, lectures, and demonstrations. Students must be able to use reasoning, analyze and integrate learned material and apply principles to new problems.

  • Sensory and motor skills: All students must be able to observe patients and simulations and gain patient information for diagnosis. They must possess sufficient vision, hearing, and physical abilities to obtain a patient history, perform a physical examination, and provide patient care. Students must have adequate stamina to manipulate dental equipment appropriately and to perform in class, clinic, and laboratory settings during long hours.

  • Communication skills: All students must communicate verbally and in writing with patients, peers, staff, faculty, employers, and the community. All students must have exceptional computer skills to maintain effective online communication throughout the program. Students must demonstrate respect and understanding of emotional, social, and cultural issues.

  • Professional and behavioral skills: All students must demonstrate the capacity for sustained function under stress and to respond appropriately to unpredictable circumstances. Furthermore, students must demonstrate high ethical standards and professional behavior when interacting with patients, fellow students, faculty, staff, and the public.

For more information

Email dhadmissions@uthscsa.edu
For help with transcript verification, contact:
ADEA DHCAS
Dhcasinfo@dhcas.org
617-612-2095

What is UT Health San Antonio's policy regarding bloodborne pathogens?

Individuals involved in providing dental hygiene services may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens that may result in human disease. Students and faculty members who experience exposure to potentially infectious materials (needle stick, mucous membrane, or non-intact skin) or airborne inhalation require specific follow-up attention. For more information on the policies on bloodborne and infectious diseases, refer to the UT Health San Antonio Policies on Bloodborne and Infectious Diseases.

What do I need to know about immunizations in preparation for this program?

Immunizations must be completed before July 1. No exceptions will be made for any student. Several immunizations can take six weeks, so please familiarize yourself with the required vaccinations by visiting our student health page on this topic.

For frequently asked questions, student immunization forms and immunization health records upload at UT Health San Antonio, click here.

You're accepted; what's next?

  • January: ADEA DHCAS verifies transcripts

  • February: Admissions Committee reviews applications

  • March - April: E-interviews for BSDC students will be conducted by the admissions team

  • May: Notification of application status is sent via email

If accepted