APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The admittance process is competitive.  The information given here is for general guidance only.  Completion of the admission requirements does not guarantee selection into the Dental Hygiene Program.    Due to accreditation requirements, a limited number of positions (14) are available for each entering class.  Because of the limited class size, some fully qualified applicants cannot be accepted.  All applicants MUST meet with the Dental Hygiene Program advisor to review the applicant file and current selection criteria.  The Dental Hygiene Program application deadline is posted on the homepage of the dental hygiene program.   Applicants transferring credit from another institution are encouraged to apply to UAA no later than October 1 prior to May application to Dental Hygiene Program to allow sufficient time for application processing and transcript evaluation by the application deadline.  Spring enrollment in another institution may postpone transcript evaluation and therefore affect program application acceptance.

Minimum Requirements for Consideration for Admission must be on file at the UAA Dental Programs by the application deadline as posted on the Dental Hygiene Program homepage:

1. Proof of admittance to the University of Alaska Anchorage as a pre-major dental hygiene student.
2. Completed current application to the Dental Hygiene Program indicating the year the candidate anticipates beginning the actual Dental Hygiene Program.  We recommend that you send you application through the postal system.  Submit the Dental Hygiene Program applications to the Dental Hygiene Program.
3. Documentation from UAA’s Enrollment Services of evaluation of official transcripts with transfer credit evaluation verifying successful completion of the following university or college level courses.  These courses MUST be completed by the application deadline.  These courses must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. 
   
   CHEM A103 Survey of Chemistry or CHEM A105 (lab not required) 
   CHEM A104 Introduction to Organic Chemistry (lab not required) 
   BIOL  A111 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (including lab) 
   BIOL  A112 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (including lab) 
   BIOL A240 or A241 Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences (lab not required) (UAA Biology department requires lab to complete Biology 240)
4. Documentation from official transcripts, with transfer credit evaluations, verifying successful completion of the following college level general requirements.  These courses must have a GPA of at least 2.5.  These courses must be completed by the application deadline. 
   
   COMM A111 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (or A235, A237 or A241) 
   PSY A153 Human Relations (or A111, A150 
   SOC A101 Introduction to Sociology (or A201, A222, A307 or A309)* 
   ENG A111 Methods of Written Communication* 
   
   *Fundamental of Oral Communication 111 (or 235, 237, or 241) and English 111 are required for an AAS. 
   
   Postponing of 200 level English class until spring semester of second year of dental hygiene may result in a delay in graduating until courses are completed.   
   
   A general nutrition course (DN A203 or DN A101) must be completed before the the start of the second semester of the Dental Hygiene Program  (spring, first year).
   
5.  Submission of applicant’s scores on the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Exam (HOBET).  Scores must be received no later the application deadline. Examination must be taken within the past 24 months, and exam may only be taken once during a 12 month period.
6. An advising session with a Dental Hygiene Program faculty advisor must be completed prior to the application deadline.  Applicants can schedule a phone advising session by calling (907) 786-6929.
7. Three recommendations on the forms provided.  The completed recommendations must be sent through the postal system (e-mailed or faxed recommendations will NOT be accepted) by the application deadline.  Confidential recommendations from employers or university instructors are recommended.
8. UAA students may request unofficial transcripts through the Dental Hygiene Program’s office no later than May 1^st, or provide official transcripts to UAA Dental Programs by the application deadline.   Students not enrolled at the University of Alaska must provide official transcripts with credit evaluations to Dental Programs no later than the application deadline, 5:00 p.m. Alaska time.
9.  Personal Interview.  This will be scheduled at the discretion of the Selection Committee for top-tier applicants. 
10. If applicable:  Petitions showing proof of acceptance for petitioned classes and/or equivalency classes.
11.  International students must contact Enrollment Services regarding equivalency evaluation of transcripts.  Proof of equivalency evaluations by UAA and the Dental Hygiene Program must be in the applicants file by the application deadline.

If you have attended a school other than the University of Alaska Anchorage, be aware that processing time for an application to UAA is at least four (4) weeks.  Also, allow at least 12 weeks to process transcript evaluations.  UAA enrollment application after November 1 will be viewed as summer enrollment and transcripts may not be evaluated by the application deadline.  The applicant should contact Enrollment Services at 907-786-1480 for questions concerning the application to UAA and/or transcript evaluation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Please note:  The average of grades in repeated courses will be used to determine GPA.

1. GPA of required prerequisite science courses.
2. GPA of required prerequisite non-science courses.
3. HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Entrance Exam) score 
4. References—three required. 
5. NOT REQUIRED, but some points are given for previous dental assisting employment experience, CDA, or graduate of ADA accredited dental assisting program.  In order to receive points for dental assisting experience, the employing dentist must be used as a reference.  Must provide proof of certification or education if applicable.
6. Interviews of top-tier candidates.