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Dental Hygiene Admissions

Dental Hygiene Admissions Requirements

 Application Procedures

First, let me applaud you for your interest in Dental Hygiene. There is so much to do in the field of dentistry, and dental hygienists play a crucial role in oral health!

The website is a good place to start for information about the LMU dental hygiene program. 

On the left are some tabs with more information about the admissions process, the curriculum, etc. The LMU-College of Dental Medicine Dental Hygiene Program admits a new cohort of thirty students each Fall semester.

The first step is to apply to LMU as a student and then have your transcripts sent to LMU. If you look on the admissions tab (on the left), you will see a button called LMU application portal. There are sixteen hours of shadowing a dental hygienist that are required, and the shadowing/observation log is also in that spot. You will be required to write a 250-word essay about what brought you to the field of dental hygiene. You will need two letters of reference. Once the ADEA DHCAS portal opens for the Fall of 2025 (October), you will apply to the ADEA DHCAS portal to apply to the dental hygiene program at LMU. That will be where you can attach all your transcripts, letters, essays, shadowing hours, etc. Remember, we're here to guide you through this process and make it as smooth as possible. The deadline for application for the Fall 2025 class is March 15.

The required prerequisites are also on the website under the Curriculum Tab. Some are required for admission, and a few general education courses are required to graduate. We recommend taking as many as possible, so you don't have to add those to your academic load while in dental hygiene school. The admissions committee invites students who qualify for interviews, and they make the decisions based on GPA, interview, and all the required information. Please note, that once admitted to the LMU-CDM Dental Hygiene Program, students will be required to submit a deposit of $1250 to confirm their seat in the program. The deposit will then be applied toward tuition. For questions about financial aid please get in touch with the student financial aid office at (423) 869-6336 or visit them on the website.

Please explore the information provided, and remember, I'm here to support you at every stage. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Please have the electronic official transcript sent directly from the institution to LMU Undergraduate Admissions, admissions@lmunet.edu, via National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, etc.

Lastly, attached are the prerequisites and observation log needed for admission. The prerequisites in blue are courses needed before entry into the program. If you have not completed your prerequisite courses (C or higher) we may let you in the program on a contingency if space permits. If you are taking pre-requisites at other local community colleges please visit this link to ensure the course fulfills Lincoln Memorial University requirements: https://www.lmunet.edu/undergraduate-admissions/transfer-students/.

Apply on DHCAS and select Lincoln Memorial University at  https://www.adea.org/DHCASapp/applicants/

If you have any other questions, please email us at LMU Dental Hygiene at lmudentalhygiene@lmunet.edu.

 

LMU APPLICATION PORTAL
ADEA DHCAS APPLICATION PORTAL
Shadowing/ Observation Log
Cost of Attendance

Entry into the Lincoln Memorial University Dental Hygiene Program

All applicants must, at a minimum:

  • Possess a science GPAs of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale are required. Applicants must report both a science and a cumulative GPA over 3.00 (although >3.25 will be generally competitive) on a 4.00 scale.
  • Demonstrate a genuine understanding of, and interest in, the humanitarian ethos of health care, particularly dental medicine.
  • Be of service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities. 
  • Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues. Directions for the required essay submission will be provided before scheduling an interview.
  • Pass the LMU-CDM criminal background check. Information will be sent to the applicant once accepted into the program.
  • Must be drug-free, as evidenced through required drug testing (completed upon offer of admission). Information will be sent as to where to go for the drug test and submission of results.

Admissions criteria are weighted with an emphasis on academic performance), including science GPAs, non-science GPAs, cumulative GPAs, number of hours completed per semester or quarter, and institution(s) attended.

Direct Path after High School Entry ONLY

This pathway is appropriate for high school seniors ONLY applying to LMU who would like to complete their Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene in 3.0 years via the Associate Science Dental Hygiene (ASDH) degree path. These students must meet the following criteria for undergraduate admissions:

Required Entrance Test(s):

Either ACT or SAT to determine eligibility to take biology and chemistry courses. Students applying to the Dental Hygiene Program must possess an overall cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. Minimum GPA for each required course: A C+ is the minimum grade needed for all required courses. Minimum Score on Required Entrance Test(s): ACT of 22+

Students Must Satisfy the Following Requirements for Admissions:

High School Seniors ONLY:

  • Admittance into Lincoln Memorial University
  • Apply to the LMU Dental Hygiene Program via ADEA DHCAS with the appropriate requirements (listed above)
  • Initial Admissions Interview (During Senior Year)
  • Two hundred and fifty (250)-word essay: “Why do you want to become a dental hygienist?”
  • Two letters of recommendation (from non-relatives) attesting to community service, leadership ability, character, and other skills.
  • Observation log for minimum of sixteen hours (16) shadowing a dental hygienist 

During the Spring before the last semester of prerequisites, the student will apply to LMU-DHP through admission The student will be required to complete the supplemental application and meet for a second interview with the LMU-DHP admissions committee.

 

Minimum Prerequisites for Dental Hygiene Entrance with a C+ or higher:

BIOL 261 or ↑ Human Anatomy & Physiology + Lab (4hrs)

BIOL 230 or ↑Microbiology + Lab (4hrs)

CHEM 100 or ↑Introduction to Chemistry + Lab (4hrs)

ENGL 101  Composition I (3hrs)

Psychology 100 or ↑ Introduction to Psychology (3hrs)

Math 105  or ↑Transitional College Math (3hrs)

Sociology 100 or ↑ Introduction to Sociology (3hrs)

 

Required General Education Before Graduation:

ISYS 100 Information Systems 100 Computer Literacy (2hrs)

LNCN 100 Lincoln’s Life and Legacy (1hr)

COMM 200 Speech Communications (3hrs)

ENGL 102 Composition II (3hrs)

UACT 100 Strategies for College Success (Dual Enrollment Only)