Mission Statement

The mission statement of Utah Valley University Allied Health Program is to provide leadership and scholarship in educating Dental Hygienists and Respiratory Therapists. Our graduates will improve the quality of health for diverse populations by advancing the delivery systems and science of Allied Health through inter-professional collaboration while adhering to professional standards.

The Department of Allied Health also seeks to positively impact the education of its students and the delivery of Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Therapy services to the public by fulfilling the goals below:

• To provide quality progressive dental hygiene and respiratory therapy education using the latest evidence based research.
• To prepare Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Therapist graduates to possess the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills to provide optimal care. Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Therapy will show this through demonstrated competencies.
• To maintain and expand oral (Dental Hygiene) and cardiopulmonary (Respiratory Therapy) health care provided to diverse populations through clinical services and community outreach programs.
• To increase the visibility of the department within the university and profession.

Allied Health

• Department Chair: Dianne Knight
  
• Office: HP 142d
• Telephone: 801-863-6885
• Email: Knightdi@uvu.edu

• Administrative Support: Meridee Chilton
• Office: HP 142d
• Telephone: 801-863-7536
• Email: meridee.chilton@uvu.edu
• Mail Stop: 238

Program Information

Our program offers an Associate in Applied Science as well as a Bachelor Completion degree in Dental Hygiene, and an Associate of Applied Science Pre-Professional Respiratory Therapy and Bachelor of  Science in Respiratory Therapy (students admitted into the program will work with the Respiratory Therapy Program Director and/or Director of Clinical Education).

Students are required to follow departmental infection control policies and procedures that are based on OSHA regulations and CDC recommendations. They must meet the health and safety requirements participating facilities require of their employees. These requirements must be met prior to enrollment in Dental Hygiene 1010 and in Respiratory Therapy courses:

1. Documentation of current immunization for Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Hepatitis B, and Negative Mantoux for tuberculosis. (negative chest x-ray if Mantoux is contra indicated/positive). Students may refuse any immunization by signing a waiver and release from liability. Immunization may also be waived with documentation of acceptable titer or written documentation from a physician of immunization risk. 
2. Current CPR certification (American Heart Association CPR for Health Care Providers, American Red Cross Health Care Provider, or National Safety Council); certification must remain current throughout academic program. Students will have professional liability insurance through UVU’s comprehensive liability insurance policy. This liability insurance is in effect when students are performing within the scope of their assigned clinical/laboratory activities and under the supervision of Department of Allied Health faculty and supervising dentists.

The Department of Allied Health adheres to UVU policy allowing students, staff or faculty with AIDS, ARC, or HIV to participate in all phases of College life within established College policies. The Department will respect the confidentiality of individuals with AIDS, ARC, or HIV insofar as the safety of others is not in question. College policy is not to test students, faculty or staff for the AIDS virus. See Policy A-9.1 for full college policy. State Licensure requirements may consider health status. Applicants with questions regarding Licensure policies should contact the licensing division of the state(s) in which they intend to seek Licensure following graduation.

Admission Requirements

Admission to UVU does not constitute admission to any of the Dental Hygiene or Respiratory Therapy Programs. Admission to the programs requires a separate and competitive admission process.

For specific admission criteria, please visit www.uvu.edu/dental for Dental Hygieneor www.uvu.edu/chps/departments/respiratory-health.html for Respiratory Therapy . Feel free to contact the Department of Allied Health at 801-863-7536 or 801-863-6974, or e-mail a request for information to kdockstader@uvu.edu for Dental Hygiene or fullmede@uvu.edu for Respiratory Therapy .

All applicants will be notified by mail of their admission status. No telephone or in-person requests for admission status will be answered. Students not admitted for the semester of application must reapply for the next application period and compete with the new pool for admission. There is no waiting list for either program.

Transfer of Credits

For information regarding the transfer of credits from other institutions of higher learning for general education and required courses, other than Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Therapy courses, please contact the Graduation and Transfer Services office (BA 114g, telephone 801-863-8438). For Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Therapy courses, contact the Department of Allied Health after you have been notified of acceptance into the AAS program.

Degree

The Department of Allied Health reserves the right to modify the curriculum as needed to meet accreditation requirements and changes in the profession.

Programs

Dental Hygiene

 Students interested in the Dental Hygiene program but are not yet admitted, will need to see one of the pre-dental hygiene advisors in the Academic Counseling center.  These advisors will assist you with the planning of the pre-requisites needed to apply to the program.

• Pre-Dental Hygiene Advisors
• Office: LC 402
• Telephone: 801-863-6387 or 6715
• Email: acadcounseling@uvu.edu

Students admitted into the AAS or BS Dental Hygiene Program will need to contact the Dental Hygiene advisor.

• Dental Hygiene Advisor: Kristie Dockstader
• Office: HP 101b
• Telephone: 801-863-6974
• Email: Kdockstader@uvu.edu

The Dental Hygiene AAS program prepares graduates to take the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination, and all Regional or State Board Exams to apply for state licensure.* Completion of the program prepares graduates to enter private practice as competent dental hygiene professionals. The program is competency based and student centered in nature. The program focuses on developing the knowledge and skill needed in dental hygiene while it strives to develop student problem solving and critical thinking skills, communication skills and teaching/education skills. The curriculum also develops student professionalism and promotes lifelong learning, community awareness, engagement and service.

* Applicants to the AAS Dental Hygience program, who have questions about their potential for licensure in a particular state, should contact that state’s board of dental hygiene.

The AAS program is a competitive admission program. Please refer to our department website for a complete description of our application process and requirements. You may call our office with any questions.

You must apply and be officially accepted into our program to declare yourself a dental hygiene major in order to begin taking Dental Hygiene courses.

The AAS curriculum includes a total of 82 credits including prerequisites. These pre-requisite courses must be taken before applying to the Dental Hygiene Program:

• CHEM 1110 Chemistry for the Health Professions
• ENGL 1010 College Writing
• MATH: One of the following.-1030, 1035, 1040, or 1045
• ZOOL 2320 Human Anatomy Lecture
• ZOOL 2325 Human Anatomy Lab
• ZOOL 2420 Human Physiology
• ZOOL 2425 Human Physiology Lab

Please be aware that some of the above prerequisites have their own prerequisites. Please contact the Biology Department for information on their prerequisites for the Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses and the Chemistry Department for their prerequisites for CHEM 1110

The Bachelor Completion Program includes a total of 120 credits. It builds on the credits received in the AAS program. Please refer to our department website for information concerning the application process, required courses and other important information. Bear in mind that students need their two year degree in dental hygiene prior to matriculating into this program.

One important pre-requisite to entering the Bachelor program is an Associate level degree in dental hygiene from an accredited school in the United States. The Associate level degree must be transferable to the USHE higher education system. 

Costs for the AAS Dental Hygiene program include a $3175 program fee per semester for four (4) semesters, in addition to UVU tuition and laboratory fees (these costs are subject to change). Students are required to purchase their own dental instruments, some clinical supplies, and uniforms. Students are responsible for transportation to the clinic and other clinical sites, as well as other field experiences and any State, Regional or National boards and licensing.

The AAS Dental Hygiene program can be challenging academically, in the amount of time involved on campus, and at clinical experiences. Students should plan for some evening and weekend clinical experiences in dental hygiene courses. While volunteer patients come to the clinic for treatment, students should seek patients for some clinical experiences, and are ultimately responsible for obtaining their clinical patients.

The BS Dental Hygiene program does not entail a special fee or clinical component.

Students in either the AAS or BS program will be informed of additional departmental policies following admission to the program.

Upon successful completion of national, state and regional exams, graduates are eligible for positions in private dental offices, public health programs, school health programs, dental hygiene education and research.

Advisory Committee:

Dianne Knight, RDH, MBA; Rella Christensen RDH PH.D; Melinda Reich RDH; Dr Rob Baird, Michelle Martin, RDH, Kristie Kapp RDH; Josh Robinson, RDH; Todd Bailey, Mountainlands Director; Racheal Lovejoy, Community Health Connect

Accreditation:

The Utah Valley University Dental Hygiene Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Commission on Dental Accreditation, which operates under the auspices of the American Dental Association, is a peer review mechanism that include the involvement of members of the discipline, the broad educational community, employers, practitioners, then dental licensing community and public members. All of these groups participate in a process designed to ensure educational quality.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at:

211 East Chicago Avenue Chicago IL 60611
(312) 440-4653

http://www.ada.org/en/coda

The Department of Allied Health has a working Dental Hygiene clinic serving the general public.  Clinic appointments can be made by calling 801-863-7608.

Respiratory Therapy

• Respiratory Therapy Program Director: Max Eskelson
  
• Office: HP 104b
• Telephone: 801-863-5897
• Email: max.eskelson@uvu.edu

Students interested in applying to the Respiratory Therapy program please contact the Academic Counseling Center

• Pre-Respiratory Therapy Advisor: Denise Fullmer
  
• Office: LC 402
• Telephone: 801-863-6484
• Email:  fullmede@uvu.edu

The Respiratory Therapy program is competency based and student centered in nature. The program focuses on developing the knowledge and skill needed in respiratory care while striving to develop student problem solving and critical thinking skills, communication skills and teaching/education skills. The curriculum also develops student professionalism and promotes lifelong learning, community awareness, engagement and service.

* Applicants to the Respiratory Therapy program, who have questions about their potential for licensure in a particular state, should contact that state’s board of respiratory care.

The AAS program is a competitive admission program. Please refer to our department website for a complete description of our application process and requirements. Call our office with any questions.

You must apply and be officially accepted into our program to declare yourself a Respiratory Therapy major in order to begin taking Respiratory Therapy courses.

 The AAS curriculum includes a total of 62 credits including prerequisites. These pre-requisite courses must be taken before applying to the Respiratory Therapy Program:

The Bachelor of Science program includes a total of 122 credits. It builds on the credits received in the AAS program. Please refer to our department website for information concerning the application process, required courses and other important information. Bear in mind that students will complete the AAS degree in Pre-Proessional Respiratory Therapy prior to matriculating into the BS program.

The Respiratory Therapy program is challenging both academically and in the amount of time involved on campus and at clinical experiences. Students should plan for day, evening and weekend shifts during the Respiratory Therapy clinical course work. Students will learn new skills and will perform patient care and education in the clinical setting.

Students in either the AAS or BS program will be informed of additional departmental policies following admission to the program.

Upon successful completion of the national examinations (NBRC), graduates are eligible for positions in short-term acute care hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, homecare DME, aero-medical flight programs, physician offices, tele-health, COPD case management, and respiratory care education and research.

Advisory Committee:

Max Eskelson, RRT, FCCP; Steve Minton, MD; Kevin Wilkinson, RRT MBA; Kirk Topham, RRT BS; Bob Guenter, RRT BS; Gary Clawson, RRT PhD, Loren Greenway, RRT, PhD, Kim Bennion, RRT, MS; Shauna Murray, RRT, MS; Mark Bracken, RRT, PhD; Tim Dunkley, RRT, MS

Accreditation:

The Utah Valley University Respiratory Therapy Program has been granted provisional accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care is a peer review mechanism that include the involvement of members of the discipline, the broad educational community, employers, practitioners, doctors, the respiratory licensing community and public members. All of these groups participate in a process designed to ensure educational quality.

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care can be contacted at:

1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021
(817) 283-2835

http://www.coarc.com/