Fact Sheet for International Dental Hygienists and Dentists
Old Dominion University, a Carnegie Doctoral-Research-Extensive University, is located in Norfolk, Virginia and offers a wide range of undergraduate, 67 masters, and 26 doctoral level programs.The School of Dental Hygiene's master's degree curriculum is designed to prepare dental hygienists for responsible and capable roles in Education, Management, Research, Marketing or Community Health.More information can be obtained by contacting Michele Darby, Graduate Program Director, mdarby@odu.edu.detailed information about the process of International Admission at Old Dominion University, please visit: http://admissions.odu.edu/international.php
Financial aid resources are available to eligible graduate students while attending ODU.The School offers Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) with stipends of about $6,000 U.S. dollars and 75% of tuition fees. Candidates for GTA positions must first be admitted to the graduate program, possess strong academic credentials, and demonstrate reading comprehension and written and oral fluency in the English language.International students demonstrate written fluency and reading comprehension by an acceptable TOEFL score (550 minimum) and required entrance essays.Oral proficiency in English is determined by the Speak Test administered by the University’s English Language Center staff.Students who need improvement in English (writing, reading comprehension, speaking, grammar, punctuation, pronunciation, etc.) will be required to take courses in the University’s English Language Center via the Bridge Program prior to starting graduate level courses.
To practice dental hygiene In the United States, one must first graduate from an entry-level dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.Other requirements for practice include passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as a clinical state/regional examination. The Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program will not enable an internationally educated dental hygienist eligible for licensure to practice dental hygiene in the United States.
A dental hygienist educated outside of the U.S. or Canada should first contact the Office of International Programs at Old Dominion University at www.odu.edu/oip to determine the specific information needed to apply for admission, and the American Dental Association at www.ada.org for information on licensure requirements for international dental hygienists and dentists.Foreign dental hygienists need documentation of all credentials, e.g., passports, visas, transcripts, licenses, diplomas, and employment history.Detailed information about dental hygiene practice in the U.S. also can be obtained from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association at www.adha.org. also meet the eligibility requirements for the National Board Dental Examination and a clinical state/regional examination.Information about the National Dental Board Examination and licensure requirements can be obtained by contacting the American Dental Association at www.ada.org.
If interested in advancing your career beyond the masters degree level, the College of Health Sciences offers a PhD in Health Services Research which is available to qualified dental hygienists and dentists wishing to pursue a doctoral degree.Information on this program can be obtained by contacting Dr. Clare Houseman, Director, at chousema@odu.edu.
