Welcome to the Department of Dental Hygiene

Thank you for your interest in the Missouri Southern State University Dental Hygiene Program. We are proud of our outstanding dental hygiene program that has provided over 30 years of excellence in education and public service.

If you care about helping others and enjoy science, a career in dental hygiene may be for you. Please review the information on this website to explore the possibility of attending the MSSU dental hygiene program.

The Mission
The mission of the Missouri Southern State University Department of Dental Hygiene is to provide high quality education and training opportunities for qualified students to prepare them as graduates to assume and maintain the role of ethical, competent, and progressive professional practitioners. We are committed to addressing the oral health care needs of the community by providing affordable, quality patient care, as well as community health promotion projects. Additionally, the faculty will provide continuing education programs for practicing dental professionals to support lifelong learning and consulting services for health care professionals. The faculty recognizes the value of scholarly activity to enhance dental hygiene theory development. The Dental Hygiene department is also committed to support its alumni and community. The department monitors the program's visibility through active participation in various committees and activities. The faculty are strongly encouraged and supported in the pursuit of professional and personal development. The Dental Hygiene Program strives to create a learning environment in which each dental hygiene graduate is instilled with the knowledge, skills and values to provide dental hygiene care to patients, along with a sense of responsibility to self, community and profession.

History of the Dental Hygiene Program
In the early 1970s, several local dentists were having a recurring problem finding available dental hygienists to employ. In order to fulfill this need, the Dental Hygiene Program was initiated at MSSU in the fall of 1975. The first class of dental hygienists graduated in May 1977.

Today, the demand for dental hygienist in the state is still as strong as it was in 1977. Through the years, the Dental Hygiene Program has remained a very strong asset to MSSU. The graduates have achieved outstanding academic levels, as well as clinical skills, and the program strives to continually graduate excellent dental hygienists. The program also provides a valuable public service in the Dental Hygiene Clinic.

The fall of 2005 was the thirtieth anniversary of the starting class of dental hygienists from Missouri Southern State University. The majority of this original class is still actively practicing their profession.