Pre-Health

Pre-Dental Hygiene

*As of Fall 2025, HSE no longer advises for Pre-Dental Hygiene, Pre-Medical Lab Science, and Pre-Radiation Therapy. Advisors will continue to support current students in these tracks. 

Students interested in dental hygiene in Oregon can choose to pursue either a Bachelor of Science at Pacific University or Oregon Institute of Technology; or an Associate of Science at Lane Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Portland Community College, or the ODS College of Dental Sciences. 

Pre-Dental Hygiene Recommended Course List 

Natural Sciences and Mathematics:

  • Introductory Chemistry + labs (3 term sequence, Fall start only)*: CH104+107, CH105+108, 106+109 (15 credits)- MTH95 is a prerequisite for this course 
  • *CH 104/107 will be offered every fall term; CH 105/108 will only be offered in winter 2024; CH 106/109 will only be offered in spring 2025.
    • Note: While Pacific University only requires 1 term all other Oregon programs require the full year.  
  • Elementary Microbiology + lab: BI 234 Elementary Microbiology (4 credits) & BI 235 Microbiology Lab (2 credits) 
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology + labs (3 term sequence, Fall start only): BI301, 302, 303 (12 credits)- BI207 is a prerequisite for this course
  • Introductory College Mathematics (MTH111Z) or higher level (4 credits)

Social Science:

  • PSY 201Z OR PSY 202Z Into to Psychology I,II (formerly called PSY 200 Natural Science, PSY 204 Psych as a Social Science) (4 credits)
  • Introduction to Sociology: SOC200 (4 credits)

Communication:

  • College Writing: WR121Z (4 credits)
  • Public Speaking (COMM111Z) (4 credits)

Humanities:

  • 12 credits from any of the following departments; ENG, HST, WLL, COMM, PHL, MUS, ART, TA, WS

Nutrition:

  • Nutrition (CH250) OR Nutrition for Health (PHE325) (4 credits)

Spanish:

  • First Year Spanish I (SPAN101) or higher level (4 credits) required by Pacific University but can be waived by their program if applicant is fluent.

Medical Terminology:

  • 1 course required by Pacific University but not offered at PSU- check with local community colleges

Additional Admission Requirements for Pacific University's Dental Hygiene Program include: 

  • Minimum number of credits required prior to beginning the dental hygiene program is 72 quarter credit hours.
  • Minimum of 20 hours of dental observation is required – Prefer some hours be in a public health setting (example: public dental clinic, dental school clinic, dental hygiene school clinic, or mobile dental van).  If you are currently working in the dental health field this requirement can be waived.

Note: Completion of the preparatory courses does not guarantee acceptance into a Dental Hygiene program.  Admission is limited and competitive. Most professional programs require that an A, B, or C be earned in all required preparatory courses, and most students accepted by professional schools have an average overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

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