Pre-Dental Hygiene
Dental hygienists work with dentists to provide preventative oral health care. They are health care professionals who are licensed to provide oral health services such as teeth cleaning, plaque removal, and oral hygiene education. They are an integral part of the dental care team and often develop oral hygiene treatment plans for patients based on clinical evidence.
Academic Expectations
Specific admission requirements vary per dental hygiene program. You should consult with schools of interest to determine their specific admission requirements. A list of generally accepted prerequisite courses for the University of Nebraska Medical Center's (UNMC) Dental Hygiene Program, with specific UNL courses that fulfill each requirement, is available by downloading the program checklist above.
Suggested academic preparation:
- 2 years of undergraduate course work- Generally, students take two years of prerequisite coursework at UNL, apply to dental hygiene programs, and complete the second two years of the Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene at an accredited dental hygiene program.
- Competitive academic record- Students should earn strong grades in all specific prerequisite courses for dental hygiene school.
- No UNL major required- Students will earn their degree from the dental hygiene program.
We recommend you meet with an Explore Center advisor once a semester to ensure you are progressing with the correct academic coursework.

Professional Degrees
A.A.S. or B.S. in Dental Hygiene
Dental hygienists must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program before they can be licensed as a dental hygienist. These programs are undergraduate programs that usually award either an associate's or a bachelor's degree upon completion. Search for an accredited program at the American Dental Association website.

Application Information
No Centralized Application Service
Please visit with the dental hygiene program you plan to apply to for information about how to apply and admission criteria.
For UNMC's program, apply online at the University of Nebraska Medical Center website.
You should check with the individual programs but most dental hygiene schools do not currently require a standardized entrance exam.
Explore this Career
Explore this career by shadowing a dental hygienist and by utilizing any of the following resources.
Nebraska Professional Schools
- UNMC College of Dentistry
- Lincoln, NE
- Rita Charles
- rcharles@unmc.edu
- Gwen Hlava
ghlava@unmc.edu
402-472-1433