X Close
The Dental Hygiene program at Shawnee State University is designed to educate and prepare competent dental health care professionals who are able to be employed in private dental practices or clinics where they provide a variety of oral care services and treatments as well as dental health education, home care instruction and diet and nutritional counseling.
Apply to receive a $1500 scholarship up to full-tuition when you apply and are accepted.
A native of Lancaster, Ohio, Nella Stansberry found her way to Shawnee State University after several of her family members attended.
Graduating this spring semester, Lily Yoder found her way into the Dental Hygiene program at Shawnee State University after shadowing her hometown hygienist.
Professor Georgeann Kamer is proud of the service the James Kadel Dental Hygiene Clinic at Shawnee State University provides to the surrounding community.
Majoring in Dental Hygiene, Paige Abbinante chose to attend Shawnee State University for its strong reputation in the allied health field.
Shawnee State University’s Dental Hygiene program in partnership with the Southern Ohio Dental Society, Ohio Dental Association, and state leaders will host the annual Give Kids A Smile Ohio event on Friday, Feb. 7 starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Health Sciences Building, Room 101.
Shawnee State University’s Office of Admission has announced New Student Orientation dates for those students enrolling to the university in the Autumn 2025 semester.
What can I do with this Degree?
Schedule an appointment with a Selective Admissions team member to get started or discuss your options. The Selective Admissions team can guide you through the process of preparing for and applying to one of our competitive health science programs.
Selective Admissions Team
(740) 351-3187
chhs@shawnee.edu
Schedule an advising appointment
To learn more about the program, contact Georgeann Kamer, Program Director, at (740) 351-3296 or gkamer@shawnee.edu
Hygienists are employed in the following areas:
Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program at Shawnee State University earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is completed in 5 academic semesters that combine classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. All instruction is provided at Shawnee State University. Graduates are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as state and regional clinical examinations.
Dental hygiene is a vital health service component of dentistry and emphasizes oral health and the prevention of oral disease. Most dental hygienists are employed in private dental offices.
The hygienist's main function is to provide dental health education, home care instruction, and diet/nutritional counseling.
Dental hygiene services include performing oral prophylaxis, scaling and polishing of the patient's teeth to remove soft and hard deposits; dental charting and oral examinations; exposing and processing radiographs; applying fluoride treatments and sealants; and making preliminary impressions for study models.
A dental hygienist should possess fine-motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Dental hygienists should be able to effectively communicate with individuals, both one-on-one and during small group interactions.
Many states, including the State of Ohio, permit hygienists to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation.
Shawnee State University has announced a Free Tuition Initiative for qualifying students from Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
Learn more
