University Catalog

General Information

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Students of the University are responsible for informing themselves of and satisfactorily meeting all regulations pertinent to registration, matriculation, and graduation. This section of the CATALOG provides the general setting for the programs of the School of Dentistry and outlines the subject and unit requirements for admission to individual professional programs. It is important to review specific program requirements in the context of the general requirements applicable to all programs.

SPECIFIC PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Information on the preceding pages pertains to general requirements governing all students. The student is reminded of individual responsibility to be fully informed not only of these general requirements but also of the specific requirements in the following pages, which govern the curriculum of the chosen program.

PROGRAMS AND DEGREES

The School of Dentistry offers a comprehensive range of programs. Each of the school's five programs draws on the curricula of the various departments.

1. The undergraduate curriculum, the DENTAL HYGIENE Program and the DENTAL HYGIENE DEGREE COMPLETION Program, leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and prepares the dental hygienist to enter a variety of careers. Dental hygiene is a four-year college curriculum; the junior and senior years are taken in the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry.
2. The four-year professional curriculum, the GENERAL DENTISTRY Program, leads to the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and equips the general dentist to meet the needs of a diverse patient population.
3. THE INTERNATIONAL DENTIST Program, a twenty-four-month (two academic years) curriculum, leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loma Linda University upon completion of the program. The program is designed for the dentist who has earned a dental degree outside the United States.
4. The ADVANCED DENTAL EDUCATION Programs lead to postdoctoral certificates in eight specialty and nonspecialty areas of dentistry and, at the student's option, additionally to the Master of Science or a Master of Science in Dentistry degree.
5. The COMBINED DEGREES Programs lead to a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (through the School of Dentistry) earned concurrently with a Master of Public Health degree (through the School of Public Health)—D.D.S./M.P.H.; or to the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (through the School of Dentistry) earned concurrently with a Master of Science degree or Doctor of Philosophy degree—D.D.S./M.S. or D.D.S./Ph.D.

COMBINED DEGREES PROGRAMS

D.D.S. / M.P.H.

A combined-degrees Doctor of Dental Surgery and Master of Public Health degree program is open to qualified students who want to influence and manage the future as skilled leaders—in public or private sectors—from large health care systems to mission hospitals, from research laboratories to primary care. The Master of Public Health degree can be taken, within a twelve-month period after either the second or third year of the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree program, in any of the following majors: biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, community wellness, epidemiology, health administration, health education, international health, maternal and child health, or nutrition.

D.D.S. / M.S.

A combined degrees program leading to the Doctor of Dental Surgery and the Master of Science degrees is open to qualified students of dentistry. The student who is interested in establishing a broader professional base in science or who is looking toward a career in teaching or research may take an interim leave from the School of Dentistry after the second or third professional years and fulfill professional degree requirements subsequent to or concurrent with completing course work and research for the Master of Science degree.

The combined degrees program in dentistry and in biomedical and clinical ethics is designed to fit the schedule of Doctor of Dental Surgery degree students. Ethics in dentistry is an emerging academic interest, and this program aims to evolve the Loma Linda University dental school into one of a very select few in the nation known for their expertise in ethical issues. This program requires 48 units of credit.

D.D.S. / Ph.D.

The biomedical sciences program provides opportunity for well-qualified and motivated students to pursue both a professional and a graduate education and to prepare for careers in clinical specialization, teaching, or investigation in health and human disease. The student who has a baccalaureate degree and the approval of the School of Dentistry Office of Academic Affairs may enter the combined degrees program and work concurrently toward the Doctor of Dental Surgery and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. A minimum of six years is required to complete a combined degrees program, offered cooperatively by the School of Dentistry and the School of Medicine, the School of Religion, or the School of Science and Technology.

ADVANCED DENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The School of Dentistry offers advanced dental education programs in specialty and nonspecialty disciplines of dentistry. Postdoctoral certificates, Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) degrees are available. The purpose of these programs is to offer candidates an opportunity to integrate advanced clinical training with meaningful exposure to applied basic science and research. For additional information and to submit an online application, interested applicants should visit the School of Dentistry Web site (Graduate Programs).

Advanced dental education programs leading to a professional certificate with an option to also pursue the Master of Science (M.S.) degree or the Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) degree are:

• Dental Anesthesiology
• Endodontics
• Implant Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (M.S. degree only)
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics

These programs are organized to comply with the standards of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, and the objectives and content meet the requirements of the respective specialty boards. In addition, the programs in endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. For additional information, the student may contact:

The Office of Advanced Education
Loma Linda University
School of Dentistry
Loma Linda, CA 92350

<www.llu.edu/dentistry/gradprograms/index.page>

Admission requirements for advanced dental education programs/postdoctoral programs

An appropriate degree from an accredited college or university is required for admission into the advanced dental education programs and postgraduate programs. A doctoral degree in dentistry (Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine) or the equivalent is required for admission to all programs. The applicant should have achieved a general grade-point average of not less than 3.0 on a 4-point scale, with no grade below 2.0. In addition to acceptable scholastic performance, the applicant must give evidence of personal and professional fitness for growth in the science and art of the intended dental discipline. For application deadlines, see the section on each individual program or refer to the chart on the following page.

After applicants are accepted into the advanced dental education programs in dental anesthesiology, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, or the postdoctoral program in implant dentistry, they may apply for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for the purpose of earning an M.S. degree; or to the Office of Advanced Education to earn an M.S.D. degree (in addition to the advanced program certificate). For the purpose of the Faculty of Graduate Studies application only, a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) certificate is required at the time of application to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Applicants for the Master of Science (M.S.) degree who meet or exceed the minimum entrance requirements may be accepted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) by the School of Dentistry's Associate Dean for Advanced Dental Education. The master's degree thesis must be completed, defended, and accepted in final form (as evidenced by a completed Form D) by both the graduate program and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The time lapse from acceptance to the master's degree program to completion of all degree requirements and the thesis may not exceed five years.

For additional information regarding the dates and times for GRE, call toll free 609/771-7670; or visit Web site <www.gre.org>. Applicants for whom English is a second language must show satisfactory results on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For additional information, call toll free 800/257-9547.

Residence

The required time in residence varies with each program. For the length of a program, refer to the information under each program description.

Stipends

Stipends are provided in the dental anesthesiology and the oral and maxillofacial surgery programs. For details, contact the program directors.

Tuition

Tuition and fees quoted in the school financial information section of this CATALOG are for the academic year 2009-2010.

Thesis

Completion of a research project presented in thesis format and orally defended according to the standards set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. A written thesis, approved by the student's research committee, must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in order to receive a satisfactory grade for the course.

Publishable paper

Students on the Master of Science in Dentistry degree track must submit a publishable paper (or optional thesis) no later than one year from the date they complete their certificate program. Candidates are admitted to only one master's degree track of their choosing.

General requirements

For information about requirements and practices to which all graduate students are subject, the student should consult Section II of this CATALOG.

Dual major option

Applicants to the programs in implant dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics have the option to select an extended program (approximately four-and-one-half years in total length) to pursue dual majors in two of the following disciplines of study: periodontics, prosthodontics, or implant dentistry.

Students must complete all the requirements of each ADA-recognized specialty program (periodontics and prosthodontics) in order to be eligible to pursue board certification. Dual credit up to 100 units may be awarded for courses required by the two programs.

Individuals who wish to pursue the dual major option must indicate such an interest by completing separate applications to both programs. Applicants to one of the optional dual major programs must not only meet the admissions requirements of each program, but must also be admitted to the advanced education programs they designate.

Admissions Criteria for Advanced Dental Education Programs

Effective January 1, 2007, applications to all graduate programs must be submitted online through Loma Linda Admissions.

Application and Program Dates

¹ Transcripts: Transcripts from all postsecondary schools from which credit was received, whether or not the work pertains to the Loma Linda University degree, are required to complete the application.

² Grade-point average (G.P.A.): A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for admission.

³ GRE (Graduate Record Examination) criteria: Although the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may not be required by all programs for admission, it is required of all students who wish to apply for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and pursue a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. The sum of the GRE verbal and quantitative percentile rankings must equal or exceed 100. Furthermore, neither the verbal nor quantitative score may be lower than the 35th percentile for that section. In addition, only GRE test scores within the past five years will be accepted.

The GRE Writing Assessment score must equal or exceed 4.0. Applicants with scores lower than 4.0 must satisfactorily complete the Loma Linda University Critical Essay or the University course in English writing, as specified by the associate dean for advanced dental education.

⁴ National Boards, Part I: Refers to Part I of the two-part U.S. National Board Examinations. Part II must also be submitted when available. All must be passing grades.

⁵ English-language skills: Non-U.S. applicants, for whom English is not their primary language and whose secondary education has been given outside the U.S. are required to take the TOEFL examination. They must demonstrate satisfactory verbal and written English-language skills. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), and 80 (Internet-based) is required. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date.

⁶ Dental license: All applicants for the Advanced Education Program in Dental Anesthesiology who are not currently enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian dental school must have a current U.S. or Canadian dental license.

⁷ International Dentist Program: All internationally trained applicants for the Advanced Education Program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics must complete an accredited International Dentist Program.

⁸ Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: All applicants to the six-year program also must submit their DAT scores to University Admissions through official channels.

⁹ Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: This program requires applicants to meet the requirements for the certificate program and the Master of Science (M.S.) degree track. Therefore, to be considered, an applicant must take the GRE and meet or exceed the requirements stated above in item #3. Copies of official test results must be sent to University Admissions through official channels.

¹⁰ Periodontics: This program has a rolling admission process between January 1, 2009, and September 1, 2009, which means it reserves the right to fill its entering class prior to the September 1 deadline.

¹¹ Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: The program reserves the right to admit selected students to the certificate program which would require submission of a second application.

¹² Pediatric Dentistry: All internationally-trained applicants for the Pediatric Dentistry Program must have a current dental license from their country and submit a notarized copy with their application.

DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY (D.D.S.) PROGRAM

Application and admission

The Admissions Committee looks for evidence of scholastic competence, moral and ethical standards, and significant qualities of character and personality. In broad terms, the following are standards required for admission:

• Intellectual capacity to complete the curriculum.
• Emotional adaptability and stability.
• Social and perceptual skills.
• Physical ability to carry out observation and communication activities, and the possession of sufficient motor and sensory abilities to practice general dentistry.
• Commitment to a dynamic spiritual journey and service to mankind.

All materials submitted for admission should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
School of Dentistry
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350

Admission requirements

Although the predentistry curriculum in an accredited college can be completed in three years, a baccalaureate degree or equivalent is strongly recommended. The following college courses are required for entrance into the D.D.S. degree program:

HUMANITIES

Freshman English (complete course sequence, 2 semesters or 2 quarters) to include composition and literature

NATURAL SCIENCES (one full year sequence or equivalent required)

General biology or zoology with laboratory

General chemistry with laboratory

General physics with laboratory

Organic chemistry with laboratory

Biochemistry (one semester or a minimum of 4 units; 2 quarters or a minimum of 6 units)

ELECTIVES (strongly recommended)

Molecular biology and/or Cell biology

Genetics

Immunology

Microbiology

Vertebrate physiology

Histology

Anatomy

Physiology

Psychology

Basic human nutrition

Basic accounting

Principles of management

Small-business management

Ceramics

Students preparing for the predoctoral program are required to complete a minimum of three academic years with no fewer than 96 semester or 144 quarter units in a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association. Preference is given to applicants who have completed or will complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree prior to admission. A maximum of 64 semester or 96 quarter units of credit may be accepted from an accredited junior or community college.

A complete academic year of class work (8 semester or 12 quarter units) in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and general physics is required. A complete sequence of freshman English which includes composition and literature (2 semesters or 2 quarters). The biochemistry requirement is one semester or a minimum of 4 units; 2 quarters or a minimum of 6 units. All science prerequisites must be completed within five years prior to admission, with a grade of C or above in each course. A minimum grade-point average of 2.7 in science subjects and in nonscience subjects, averaged separately, is required. The average grade-point average for accepted students is substantially higher.

Students who are enrolled in another program in Loma Linda University are not considered for admission until they have completed or have been released from the program.

Prior to consideration for admission, the applicant must meet specific criteria related to past academic performance (G.P.A.), performance on the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and a personal interview. Applicants are expected to have taken the DAT within the previous two years, preferably not later than October of the year preceding admission. At the applicant's request, test results are sent to the school by the testing service. Information may be obtained directly from the American Dental Education Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. An application form and descriptive material may be obtained from the school.

In order to be better prepared with specific vocabulary and understanding, the applicant should include science courses with content similar to courses offered during the first year of the professional curriculum. The applicant's purpose should be the pursuit of diverse knowledge, the cultivation of an inquiring mind, the practice of efficient methods of study, and the habit of thinking and reasoning independently. These are of paramount importance to the applicant's development as a unique and responsible human being.

The choice of electives can broaden the applicant's view of the scope of knowledge. Being well-read will give a perspective on the sweep of human thought throughout the ages, and often this will be of assistance in written and verbal communication and will improve the ability to think and express oneself well. Psychological, social, philosophical, and religious insights will help to develop basic resources for the solution of personal problems and the growth of self-understanding the student must have in order to understand and help associates.

An applicant from a college or university outside the United States or Canada or from a nonaccredited college or university in the United States must complete a minimum of one full academic year (24 semester or 36 quarter credits) in competition with other preprofessional students in an accredited college or university in the United States. This includes the required specific core sciences in the areas of biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and physics (all sciences must include laboratories). A grade of C or above in each course completed is required. (A grade of C- will not be accepted.)

Application procedure

The school participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Cards requesting an AADSAS application are available at most colleges and universities and also on the Internet at <www.adea.org>; or email at <aadsas@adea.org>. The application should be completed and returned to the Washington address indicated on the application. AADSAS processes this application and sends copies to the schools of the applicant's choice. The School of Dentistry at Loma Linda University recommends that applicants file their AADSAS application before August 1 in order to be competitive. To be given consideration for the next entering class, the student's application deadline is December 1. The following is a step-by-step process for completing an application to Loma Linda University.

1. AADSAS application. The Office of Admissions receives applications from AADSAS.
2. Supplementary application. The applicant then receives an email invitation from LLU to complete an electronic supplementary application.
3. Supplementary application deadline. The applicant must return the completed supplementary application and materials within thirty days. This includes an essay specific to Loma Linda University, a wallet-sized photograph, and the application fee of $75.
4. Transcripts. Official transcripts may be sent to AADSAS and then released by AADSAS to the School of Dentistry. When an applicant becomes an accepted student, official transcripts, mailed directly from all colleges/universities, are required in order for the student to be registered for the first quarter of classes.
5. References. The applicant is asked to supply a minimum of three personal references. It is recommended that these include an academic reference from a science instructor; a reference from an employer; a character or religious reference, such as from a minister; and a reference from a friend in the dental profession. If the applicant has attended a college or university that has a preprofessional committee that prepares a preprofessional evaluation, it is required that Loma Linda University be sent a copy of this evaluation from the committee. Members of the applicant's family are excluded from writing the required letters of reference, although letters will be accepted for the file in addition to those required. Recommendation letters may be sent to AADSAS and then released by AADSAS to Loma Linda University School of Dentistry.
6. Dental Admission Test. The applicant is required to complete and must meet specific criteria related to performance on the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Preference is given to applicants who have taken the test by October of the academic year preceding that for which admission is desired. The student entering the first year is expected to have taken the test within the past two years. If the test has been taken more than one time, the most recent scores are used for admission criteria. The committee reviews all scores on the test. The DAT scores must be on file at Loma Linda University before an acceptance to the school will be issued. Test results should be sent to Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry, Office of Admissions.
7. Interview. The applicant's records will be screened when the supplementary application, recommendations, and transcripts are on file. The applicant may then be invited to the school for a personal interview. An interview is required for admission. The interview provides an opportunity for evaluation of noncognitive factors, including communication skills, personal values, motivation, and commitment to goals of the profession; as well as genuine concern for others in the service of dentistry. At the time of the interview, a tour of the school will be given by a current student in the program.
8. Observation. It is important that preprofessional students seek experience observing and assisting in a dental office to become familiar with the work of a dentist. Prior to interviewing, applicants are expected to complete a minimum of twenty hours of observation/work experience in a dental facility, ten of which must be done in a general practitioner's office.
9. Acceptance. The accepted student receives an acceptance letter and a follow-up letter with information relative to required forms and deposit deadlines.
10. Pre-entrance health requirements/Immunizations. It is expected that necessary routine dental and medical care will have been attended to before the student registers.
    
    New students are required to have certain immunizations and tests before registration. Forms to document the required immunizations are provided for the physician in the acceptance packet set to the student by the school. In order to avoid having a hold placed on registration, the student is encouraged to return the documentation forms in the provided envelope to Student Health Service no later than six weeks prior to the beginning of classes.
    
    Students enrolling in the School of Dentistry must provide documentation of having had the following immunizations and tests:
    
    • MMRs—measles (rubeola), mumps, rubella (German measles) (or provide proof of two previous MMRs).
    • PPD (TB) skin test (current skin test result or x-ray report).
    • Tetanus/Diphtheria booster.
    • Chicken pox blood test and/or immunization. If no known history of chicken pox, then student may choose blood test (which may reveal pre-existing immunity) and/or immunization (if no prior immunity).
    • Hepatitis-B vaccination series. Students who know themselves to have had hepatitis-B in the past should employ extra protection when involved in direct patient care and may request a modified curriculum, if necessary. This series of three vaccinations may be completed at this University (even if it was begun elsewhere) through the Student Health Service. (The student will be charged a fee.)
    • A recent eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
    
    For further information, consult the Student Handbook, Section V—University Policies—Communicable disease transmission-prevention policy; or the Student Health Service office, 909/558-8770.
    
    If a returning student is assigned to a clinical facility that requires a tuberculosis skin test, the student is required to have the test within the six months before the assignment begins.
    
11. Deposits. The student accepted into dentistry must submit a deposit of $1,000 and the required forms to the Office of Admissions. All deposits become part of the first quarter's tuition. Failure to submit this deposit will result in the loss of the applicant's position in the class. The remaining balance of the first quarter's tuition and fees is due no later than the day of matriculation in late September. If the applicant has submitted a completed application for financial aid by March 2, and if the Stafford application has been submitted by June 15, the final installment can be paid utilizing University-assisted sources.
12. Financial requirement. Non-U.S. citizens and nonpermanent residents are required by U.S. immigration regulation to secure sufficient funds and pay for their first year's tuition and fees before they can register for Autumn Quarter. In addition, they must provide documentary evidence of sufficient funds for their second year. International students will receive the necessary visa applications and registration clearance after they have submitted their $1,000 deposit and payment plan.
13. Financial aid. A financial aid advisor and financial aid programs are available. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid by email finaid@llu.edu; or by telephone: 909/558-4509. Web site information is located at www.llu.edu/ssweb/finaid.

Transfer

Transfer from another school of dentistry in the United States is not recommended and is considered only in unusual circumstances. Credits from professional schools (business, medical technology, nursing, pharmacy, chiropractic, or medicine) do not fulfill admission requirements. Credit for studies taken at a military service school is granted to veterans according to recommendations in the Guide of the American Council on Education and/or the California Committee for the Study of Education. The University reserves the right to require satisfactory completion of written or practical examinations in any course for which transfer credit is requested.

A transfer applicant should expect to begin at the first-year level and will be considered only if there is space available at the appropriate level or in the dental class desired. An application for transfer will be considered when the following information is received in the school's Office of Academic Affairs:

• letter from applicant, stating reason for requesting transfer;
• letter of recommendation from the dean of the dental school where the applicant is enrolled;
• official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Academic Affairs for both predental and dental school courses completed;
• Dental Admission Test results.

INTERNATIONAL DENTIST PROGRAM

Application and admission

Application forms are available online at <www.llu.edu/central/apply/index.page>. Requests for information are accepted by mail, email, or telephone.

Admission requirements

• Dental degree from a recognized foreign dental school;
• Successful completion of the National Dental Board Examination Part I and Part II;
• TOEFL examination with a minimum score of 550 on the written examination or a minimum score of 213 on the computer examination or a minimum of 20 in each area of the Internet-based examination;
• Dental school transcript (evaluated by an evaluation center approved by the University).

Other documentation is required, as outlined in the application. An application fee of $75 is required with the application and accompanying documentation between February 1 and August 1. All application material sent to the Office of Admissions becomes the property of the school.

Students currently enrolled in a similar program at another university are not eligible to apply and will not be accepted for admission.

Application procedure

1. References. The applicant is required to supply a minimum of two personal references. It is recommended that these include an academic reference from a science instructor, a reference from a teacher or mentor, and one from an employer. Members of the applicant's family are excluded from writing the required letters of reference, although letters will be accepted for the file in addition to those required. Letters should be sent directly to the School of Dentistry Office of Admissions.
2. Selection process
   • Screening: Completed applications submitted before the application deadline will first be evaluated by the Office of Admissions. 
   • Interview: Based on dexterity and case study testing, applicants may be invited to interview.  
   • Dexterity and case study testing: Testing is conducted on one or more Sundays in the fall.
   • Final selection: The results of the testing and interview, as well as the applicant's application materials, are presented to the School of Dentistry Admissions Committee for final selection. Twenty-four applicants are accepted each year for enrollment in the International Dentist Program the following year (spring quarter matriculation).
3. Transcripts. Official transcripts with English translations must be mailed directly from all colleges/universities attended by the student, and all postsecondary education prior to offers of admission.
4. Language. All classes are conducted in English, and patients treated in the clinic communicate in English. Applicants must demonstrate competence in both written and spoken English.
5. Deposits. A student accepted into the International Dentist Program must submit a deposit of $1,000 USD to Loma Linda University by the date specified. Students must also pay in advance for two quarters' tuition costs. For students eligible for government-sponsored financial aid programs, only the first quarter's tuition is required at the initial registration. Living expenses vary, depending on the student's lifestyle. Generally, the living expenses range from $1,000-$1,800 (or more) per month.
6. Financial requirement. Students applying for or holding F-1 U.S. student visas are required by U.S. immigration regulation to secure sufficient funds for their first year's tuition and fees and provide documentary evidence of sufficient funds for their second year.
7. Financial aid. A financial aid advisor and financial aid programs are available.  Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at email finaid@llu.edu; or by telephone: 909/558-4509. Web site information can be found at www.llu.edu/ssweb/finaid.
8. Pre-entrance health requirements/Immunizations. It is expected that necessary routine dental and medical care will have been attended to before a student registers. New students are required to have certain immunizations and tests before registration. Forms to document the required immunizations are provided for the physician in the acceptance packet sent to the student by the school. In order to avoid having a hold placed on the registration packet, the student is encouraged to return the documentation forms in the provided envelope to Student Health Service no later than six weeks prior to the beginning of classes.
   
   Students enrolling in the School of Dentistry must provide documentation of having had the following immunizations and tests:
   
   
   • MMRs—measles (rubeola), mumps, rubella (German measles) (or provide proof of two previous MMRs).
   • PPD (TB) skin test (current skin test result or x-ray report).
   • Tetanus/Diphtheria booster.
   • Chicken pox blood test and/or immunization. If no known history of chicken pox, then student may choose blood test (which may reveal pre-existing immunity) and/or immunization (if no prior immunity).
   • Hepatitis-B vaccination series. Students who know themselves to have had hepatitis-B in the past should employ extra protection when involved in direct patient care and may request a modified curriculum, if necessary. This series of three vaccinations may be completed at this University (even if it was begun elsewhere) through the Student Health Service. (The student will be charged a fee.)
   • A recent eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
   
   For further information, consult the Student andbook, Section V--University Policies: Communicable disease transmission-prevention policy; or the Student Health Service office, 909/558-8770.
   
   Students in the International Dentist Program have the same benefits, including health care coverage, as are described elsewhere in this CATALOG.

DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM

Application and admission

Dental Hygiene is an undergraduate program in the School of Dentistry. A student must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and must meet college entrance requirements. After successful completion of the required pre-entrance courses in a regionally accredited college or university, admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is in the junior year.

To apply, please visit our Web site at <www.llu.edu/central/apply/index.page>. Applications and all other required documentation must be submitted between July 1 and February 1.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The dental hygiene applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:

• 96 quarter or 64 semester units of accredited college course work.
  
  NOTE: Loma Linda University requires all students who graduate with a baccalaureate degree to complete a minimum of 68 quarter units of general education, which is integrated into the entire undergraduate program.
• A grade point average of 2.7 or higher in science and nonscience course work, averaged separately; a minimum grade of C for all pre-entrance course work to be transferred to the University. The average entering grade point average is 3.2 or higher.
• A personal interview with a representative designated by the School of Dentistry. This interview will assess personal qualities; such as, values, spiritual heritage, communication skills, service orientation, and volunteer experience. The interview is by invitation only.
• Minimum of 20 hours experience observing with a dental hygienist is encouraged prior to an interview. Dental assisting experience is also highly recommended.
• Dental hygiene applicants are expected to complete all general education requirements before matriculating in the School of Dentistry. A student may be accepted with a deficiency in one or more of the areas but is expected to eliminate deficits before enrolling in the Dental Hygiene Program.
• Required science courses must be completed within five (5) years of admission.

DENTAL HYGIENE GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Domain I: 28-32 units

Religion and Humanities
Four quarter or three semester units of religion for each year of attendance at a Seventh-day Adventist college; cultural heritage courses (20 quarter units or 14 semester units) selected from a minimum of three different areas—history and/or civilization, fine arts (theory course work only), literature, philosophy/ethics, foreign language, performing arts/visual arts (not to exceed four quarter units).

Domain II: 24-32 units

Scientific Inquiry and Analysis and Social Sciences
One full year of chemistry covering inorganic, organic, and biochemistry—each with laboratory; human anatomy and human physiology with laboratory (may be two separate courses or sequential courses); microbiology with laboratory. Required science course work must be completed within five years prior to admission. Nonremedial college mathematics or statistics. Introductory sociology, general psychology; and cultural anthropology/diversity courses.

Domain III: 9-13 units

Communication
English composition and literature, a complete sequence; and a speech/interpersonal communication/persuasion course. An introductory course in computers is highly recommended.

Domain IV: 2-6 units

Health and Wellness
A personal health or nutrition course and two physical education activity courses. The same physical education course should not be taken more than once.