California Expands Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Programs

A new California law (Senate Bill 850) has paved the way for more than 15 community college districts to launch pilot bachelor degree programs in vocational fields, including dental hygiene. The bill received the full support of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA).

“CDHA is extremely excited about the prospects for advancing educational opportunities for our students, via a pilot program, which would allow selected community colleges to confer a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree, preparing the next generation of our dental hygiene professionals,” CDHA President Karine Strickland, RDHAP, BS, said. The pilot program will launch in 2017. The CDHA anticipates other states to follow California’s lead, in an effort to ensure oral health professionals are educated and prepared for expanded roles in the ever-evolving health care environment.

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association policy encourages associate degree programs to partner with accredited 4-year colleges to develop an integrated curriculum that enables associate-level graduates to easily enter and/or transfer to participating 4-year colleges. Such programs currently exist in 43 states.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. January 2015;13(1):14,16.