2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog
Department of Dental Hygiene
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 Return to: School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
Hemenway Hall 200-B
2445 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8821
Fax: (808) 956-5707
Faculty
K. Osada, RDH, MEd (Program Administrator)—dental hygiene, dental anatomy
M. Arucan-Masunaga, DDS—dental hygiene
E. Cortez, RDH, MSAH—dental hygiene
L. Fong, DDS, MS—dental hygiene, periodontology
P. Fujimoto, RDH, DDS—dental hygiene, oral pathology, oral histology
N. Galarza, RDH, MEd—dental hygiene, community health
G. Lau, RDH, MEdT—dental hygiene
M. Lau, RDH, MEd—dental hygiene, peridontology
C. Lemrick, DMD—dental hygiene, oral histology
K. Nakasone, RDH, MEd—dental hygiene
M. Oishi, DDS—dental hygiene, dental materials
P. Sunahara, RDH, MEd—dental hygiene
The Academic Program
The Department of Dental Hygiene at UH Mānoa offers the only baccalaureate dental hygiene educational program in the state. It offers the preparation required by dental hygienists to provide oral health care and education to the people of Hawaiʻi, the continental U.S., and the Pacific-Asia region.
The bachelor of science in dental hygiene offers professional training, a foundation for personal and professional development, and preparation for graduate study. Students completing the degree in dental hygiene qualify for admission to the national and regional dental hygiene examinations for licensure to practice dental hygiene in private, public health, and other dental hygiene settings.
Accreditation
The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association.
Each program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation must post the Notice of Opportunity and Procedure to File Complaints with the Commission on Dental Accreditation. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy and procedures for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at: 211 East Chicago Avenue; Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678; Tel: 1 (312) 440-4653.
Advising
Department of Dental Hygiene
Hemenway Hall 200-B
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8821
Email: uhmdh@hawaii.edu
Academic advising is provided by faculty of the Department of Dental Hygiene. Potential applicants as well as students in need of advising should call for appointments.
Graduation
All enrolled dental hygiene students are advised to meet with a faculty advisor regarding their progress toward their degree to ensure that all requirements are met at least two semesters before the scheduled graduation date.
An application for graduation must be submitted with a degree fee to the Cashier’s Office, QLCSS Room 001. This should be processed during the first three weeks of the semester the student intends to graduate.
Undergraduate Study
The Department of Dental Hygiene’s undergraduate program provides the following route to the bachelor of science degree:
- Traditional Dental Hygiene Pathway
Applicants are strongly advised to attend an informational session at the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene before submitting an application to the program. For more information, please visit the SONDH Department of Dental Hygiene website at www.manoa.hawaii.edu/dentalhygiene.
Traditional Dental Hygiene-BS in Dental Hygiene
For current UH Mānoa and transferring college students
Students planning to pursue admission to the Dental Hygiene program at UH Mānoa may declare a pre-major in Exploratory Health Sciences (EXHS). The EXHS designation does not guarantee admission to the dental hygiene program. A separate application and review is required for admission to the bachelor’s in dental hygiene program.
This baccalaureate dental hygiene pathway admits students to the bachelor of science program following completion of a minimum of 31 semester credit hours of prerequisite and the majority of general education courses.
Admission and Application Requirements
For detailed admission and application information, please visit the SONDH Department of Dental Hygiene website at nursing.hawaii.edu/dental-hygiene-bachelor/bs/how-to-apply/.
ProgramsBachelor’sUndergraduate Certificate
Return to: School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
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