aBOUT THE PROGRAM
Dental hygienists are licensed, preventive oral health care professionals who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public in a variety of settings. As a member of the dental healthcare team, the dental hygienist promotes and maintains oral wellness through services such as oral health assessments, taking radiographs, dental health education, non-surgical periodontal therapy, removal of deposits and stains from the teeth, and application of dental sealants and fluorides. Each fall semester a class of 30 students will begin the two-year program that includes summer classes. The curriculum is designed with courses meeting five days per week. Our goal is to Provide quality education that reflects best practices in dental hygiene in order to become an ethical, licensed, oral healthcare professional.
The Dental Hygeine Department offers these career tracts:
- Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygeine.
- Baccalaureate Degree in Health Sciences.
Outstanding Reputation and Excellence in Education
Missouri Southern State University provides an outstanding dental hygiene program with EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION and public service.
The program's reputation and examination results attest to the outstanding accomplishment of the MSSU Dental Hygiene program.
- In 1975, the MSSU Dental Hygiene program opened.
- The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: https://coda.ada.org/en. The next CODA site visit will occur in April 2024.
- In 2010 the program moved into the new Health Sciences building on MSSU campus.
Our Mission
- Empower students to become LIFELONG LEARNERS;
- Facilitate the development of ETHICAL and COMPETENT oral healthcare professionals, who provide patient care to a diverse population utilizing innovative technologies.
Our Vision
To be recognized as the premier dental hygiene program in the United States.
Our Goals
- Provide quality education that reflects best practices in dental hygeine in order to become an ethical, licensed, oral healthcare professional.
- Engage students in outreach activities that serve a diverse, patient population in our community.
- Create an educational environment that fosters the development of lifelong learning, outstanding leaders, and oral healthcare professionals.
Learn more quick facts about the dental hygienist profession.
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule an appointment in the MSSU Dental Hygeine Clinic: