Excellence and Distinction

Going First

Our program is a perfect example of Mountaineers going first. 

We have the distinction of being the first integrated dental hygiene program in the country. We were pioneers in combining a degree program based in liberal arts and professional clinical curriculum. Nationally, other programs are modeled after what we have been doing at the WVU School of Dentistry for years.

Student participation in our Rural Health Initiative sets us apart from most dental hygiene programs. Each student attends a Rural Site Externship for eight weeks to obtain "real world" experience in a rural dental practice and the community.

Exceeding Expectation

We have a reputation of being fully accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. The most recent accreditation site visit was conducted in Spring 2016.
The Department of Dental Hygiene has the reputation for producing outstanding clinicians who are in high demand with a 100% job placement rate.  Additionally, our graduates are very successful in post-graduate programs including medicine, dentistry, business and law.

Revealing Research

Students design and implement a two-year research project, culminating in a formal presentation of their research during the dental school's alumni day.