Dental Hygiene Admissions Requirements
Application Procedures
Lincoln Memorial University operates on a semester system with terms beginning in August, January, and May. Actual class start dates throughout the academic year are available in the Admissions Department.
The Dental Hygiene program will begin each August, with the application deadline of July 15 each year.
The dental hygiene program has 16-week semesters for fall and spring, with summer consisting of 10-week.
Applications for undergraduate general admissions for programs offered at all locations can be completed by clicking the "Apply" button at the top right of the page or by clicking here. If you are having problems applying click here.
**General admission to Lincoln Memorial University does not guarantee admission into the LMU-CDM Dental Hygiene program. For more information contact, [email protected].**
Tuition and Fees
Dental Hygiene Program
Enrollment cap: 30 Students
Activity fee $50.00
Comprehensive Fee $310.00
Graduation fee $50.00
Tuition fee $12,360.00 per Semester
Dentistry Instruments, Loupes, and Supplies Fee $4200.00
DH2-National Board Dental Hygiene $400.00
DH2- CDCA Licensure Examination $995.00
Seat Deposit $1250.00
Student Right To Know
To comply with federal regulations regarding the reporting of completion/graduation and transfer-out, Lincoln Memorial University annually prepares information regarding the completion/graduation rates within 150% of the normal tie to complete the program and the transfer-out rates of full-time, first-time students enrolled at the institution in the fall quarter who are pursuing a certificate and degree programs at the institution. You may review this information in the Consumer Information section of the Lincoln Memorial University website.
Admissions Requirements by Pathway of Entry
Direct Freshman Entry
This pathway is appropriate for high school seniors applying to LMU who would like to complete their Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene in 3.0 years via the ASDH degree path. These students must meet the following criteria for undergraduate admissions:
Required Entrance Test(s):
For high school seniors, either the ACT or SAT to determine eligibility to take biology and chemistry courses. Students applying to the DHP must possess a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. Minimum Score on Required Entrance Test(s): ACT of 22+
Students Must Satisfy the Following Requirements for Guaranteed Admissions:
High School Seniors:
- Complete the DH Application for
- Initial Admissions Interview with CDM and DHP Admissions Committee (During Senior Year).
- 1,000-word essay – How you arrived at this career
- Two letters of recommendation (from non-relatives) attesting to community service, leadership ability, character, and other skills.
Minimum GPA for each Required Course: A C+ is a minimum grade needed for all required courses. Required Technical Standards and Competencies for Program Admission:
- 30 documented observation/shadowing hours in a General Dentist's Office shadowing the Dental
- 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.
- Applicants must pass the LMU-CDM Medicine criminal background
- Applicants must be drug-free, as evidenced through required drug testing (completed upon offer of admission).
Direct Entry to the Dental Hygiene Program (DHP)
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Required Prerequisite Courses
BIOL 261
Human Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab
MATH 270
Probability and Statistics
ENGL 101
Composition
SOCI 100
Introduction to Sociology
CHEM 100
Introduction to Chemistry
BIOL 230
Microbiology
PSYC 100
Introduction to Psychology
Students must have taken the seven prerequisite courses from an accredited institution to qualify for entry via this pathway. Prerequisites and recommended courses align with those of the previous path.
- Complete the Dental Hygiene Application through the admissions
- At a minimum, 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.
- Two letters of recommendation are required. One must be from either a predental advisory committee or a science professor; the DHP prefers other letters to be written by either a dental or medical professional or someone who can attest to the applicant's integrity and ethical Letters written by immediate family members will not be accepted. All letters of recommendation must be submitted directly to the School by those completing the letters. The Office of Admissions will not accept letters submitted by students.
- Complete 30 documented observation/shadowing hours before entering the DHP
- Applicants must demonstrate a genuine understanding of, and interest in, the humanitarian ethos of health care, particularly dental medicine.
- Applicants should reflect a people and service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Applicants should reflect proper motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous salaried work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
- Applicants must 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.
- Applicants must pass the LMU-CDM criminal background check.
- Applicants must be drug-free, as evidenced through required drug testing (completed upon offer of admission).
Admissions criteria are weighted with an emphasis on academic performance (approximately 3/4 of the final score), including science GPAs, non-science GPAs, cumulative GPAs, number of hours completed per semester or quarter, and institution(s) attended. Motivation, experience, recommendations, community service experience, and the interview evaluation (about 1/4 of the final score) also contribute to candidate rankings. The ranking formula, the weighting, and the scoring will be analyzed and reviewed before each admission cycle by the Admissions Committee (Applicant Ranking Plan).
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Technical Standards for Admission
Candidates for admission must have sufficient abilities and skills in five areas: I) Observation; II) Communication; III) Motor; IV) Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative; and V) Behavioral and Social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitations in certain areas, but candidates should perform in a reasonably independent manner (Technical Standards).
- Observation: The candidate must be able to make observations at a distance and close at hand Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all other senses.
- Communication: The candidate must communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written forms and perceive nonverbal
- Motor: The candidate must coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and
- Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem-solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required to utilize his/her intellectual abilities fully, the exercise of good judgment, the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective The candidate must tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. The candidate must adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness, and ability to function as an effective team player, and interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.
Students must attest to the ability to meet technical requirements. Any student seeking accommodation must follow LMU's established process through the Department of Accessible Education Services.