UofL's Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene combines lower-division general education and prerequisites with competitive admission to the clinical upper division. Upper-division applicants need a 2.8 cumulative college GPA, 20 hours observing a dental hygienist, ACT or SAT scores, Casper and an admissions interview.
- Program
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
- Credential
- BS
- Location
- Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Spring 2027 lower-division freshman application)
- Seats
- 30
- Length
- 4 years
Casper Requirement for University of Louisville Dental Hygiene
University of Louisville Dental Hygiene requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- DentPIN Applicant ID Number
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Confirm DentPIN linkage when distributing your score.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
University of Louisville Dental Hygiene Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- ADEA DHCAS for upper-division admission; UofL Undergraduate Admissions application also required for applicants not enrolled at UofL.
- Applications open
- ADEA DHCAS opens in October; an exact opening date for this program is not published.
- Application fee
- $50 for the first ADEA DHCAS program and $35 for each additional program.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Spring 2027 lower-division freshman application | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| Spring 2027 lower-division transfer application | December 1, 2026upcoming |
| Upper-division DHCAS application and required materials | January 15, 2027upcoming |
| UofL freshman early admission to upper division | January 15, 2027upcoming |
| High-school early admission to upper division | February 1, 2027upcoming |
| Fall 2027 lower-division freshman application | February 15, 2027upcoming |
| Summer 2027 lower-division freshman application | March 1, 2027upcoming |
| Fall 2027 lower-division transfer application | July 1, 2027upcoming |
The program is tiered: apply first to the University of Louisville Lower Division as a pre-dental hygiene student, then submit a separate competitive application to the two-year Upper Division at the School of Dentistry.
University of Louisville Dental Hygiene Admissions Statistics
Period: Annual upper-division intake
- Seats / class size: 30
- Applications per available place: 1-3 each year
Eligibility Requirements for University of Louisville Dental Hygiene
- Degree / credits
Complete, or be completing, 55 degree-applicable credits of general education and program prerequisites when applying to upper division; finish required courses before the professional program starts. Lower-division enrollment does not guarantee upper-division admission.
- Citizenship
International students are not accepted through ADEA DHCAS; the program does not support student visas.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English need TOEFL unless they qualify through English-language high school study or at least 30 credits at an accredited U.S. college or university.
Admission pathways
- Transfer students: Transfers with 24+ credit hours need a 2.8 cumulative GPA for Lower Division entry, then compete for Upper Division.
Strategic applicants schedule regular meetings with the program academic advisor at (502) 852-5081 or dhygiene@louisville.edu to track progress.
Other requirements
- Transfer or change-of-major application: Applicants outside UofL also apply through Undergraduate Admissions; current UofL students outside dental hygiene submit a change-major form.
- Technical standards and immunizations: Admitted students must meet the School of Dentistry's technical standards and Health Sciences immunization requirements.
- Background check: Students offered upper-division admission must complete an approved background check.
Selection Factors University of Louisville Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Chemistry and introductory biology | CHEM 101 or 105; BIOL 102 and 104 Lower-division coursework |
| Anatomy, physiology and microbiology | BIOL 257, 260 and 261; BIOL 264 and 265 or BIOL 262 Required sciences: C or higher and completed within 10 years of application |
| Nutrition | HSS 303 or PHEH 331 C or higher; completed within 10 years of application |
| Mathematics and statistics | MATH 105 or 111; MATH 109, PSYC 301 or SOC 301 Lower-division coursework |
| Psychology and sociology | PSYC 201; SOC 201, 202, 203 or 210 Lower-division coursework |
| Dental hygiene orientation | DHED 101 Lower-division coursework |
| General education and electives | Complete applicable Cardinal Core requirements and electives Review the degree plan for course choices |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative GPA includes college coursework from all accredited postsecondary institutions, including graded transfer coursework; program and science GPAs are also evaluated.
- Minimum
- 2.8
- Competitive
- No competitive GPA cutoff is published; strong performance in science courses and a full-time course load may receive preference.
2.8 cumulative GPA is the minimum for Upper Division consideration and for transfers entering Lower Division with 24+ credits.
Admissions tests
- ACT or SAT (one of several accepted): An ACT or SAT score must be on file for upper-division admission; there is no minimum composite score, but preference is given to ACT 21 or its SAT equivalent or higher.
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): Required when English is not the applicant's first language unless a waiver applies; preference is given to 100 overall and 26 or higher in listening and speaking.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least 20 hours observing a dental hygienist in a general dentistry setting. Additional hours in related dental fields strengthen the application. Document these experiences thoroughly for submission.
Supplementary application
In DHCAS, submit official transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, documentation of 20 dental-hygienist observation hours, responses to the personal-statement prompts, a current résumé and three recommendations: two from college instructors, including one science instructor, and one personal, work or community reference.
How applicants are ranked
The admissions committee reviews complete DHCAS applications holistically, considering academic and nonacademic attributes. It evaluates cumulative, program and science GPAs; preference may be given for strong science performance with a full-time course load. Selected applicants must interview before admission. No numerical ranking formula is specified.
Interview Format at University of Louisville
An interview is required before upper-division admission; selected applicants receive an email invitation.
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected by the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee after holistic application review.
- When
- Interview invitations are sent by February; initial admission decisions begin in late March.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at University of Louisville Dental Hygiene
- Program length
- 4 years
- Structure
Lower-division coursework at Belknap Campus followed by competitive admission to the clinical upper division at the Health Sciences Center Campus.
- Campuses
- Louisville
Upper Division courses prepare students for licensure as a dental hygienist through hands-on patient care and specialty exposure. A dedicated course introduces dental hygiene careers, academic policies, and requirements tailored for program students. The program emphasizes clinical competency with diverse patient populations and resident faculty from all dental specialties.
Campus and facilities
The Louisville campus features modern clinics and lecture halls. Students gain experience with a robust patient population across specialties, learning directly from faculty and residents in general and specialized dentistry settings.
Tuition and Funding at University of Louisville
- 2026-2027 resident undergraduate tuition: $6,807 per full-time semester
- 2026-2027 nonresident undergraduate tuition: $14,980 per full-time semester
Dental hygiene uses undergraduate tuition. Upper division includes a five-credit summer term between its first and second years, plus a $700 clinical supply fee, a health-professions student fee typically $105, and required student insurance. Undergraduate and upper-division scholarships may be available.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a competitive yet supportive culture, with recent high school graduates entering the pre-dental hygiene track after diverse experiences such as warehouse work. Students report adapting to rigorous demands after initial challenges. One student notes the program “will beat you into submission and once that happens and you adapt, it'll get slightly easier.” Diversity stands out, countering broader challenges in dentistry. Applicants on Student Doctor Network recommend researching the program thoroughly and practicing mock interviews.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your University of Louisville Dental Hygiene Application
- Secure 20 or more observation hours in a general dentistry practice well before Upper Division deadlines.
- Maintain a GPA above 2.8 while excelling in science courses.
- Register for Casper early and complete 50 or more practice scenarios, including Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank.
- Research the program thoroughly, practice mock interviews, and meet regularly with advisors.
- Enroll in Lower Division, accumulate observation hours and GPA during years 1-2, then apply to Upper Division with Casper score and prerequisites verified.
More About University of Louisville Dental Hygiene
- Program academic advisor
(502) 852-5081 or dhygiene@louisville.edu
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Louisville Dental Hygiene
Does University of Louisville Dental Hygiene Program require Casper?
Yes. Submit an English Casper score using your DentPIN. Book a test date well before the score distribution deadline.
What is the minimum GPA for UofL Dental Hygiene Upper Division?
A 2.8 cumulative GPA qualifies you for consideration, with C grades minimum in science prerequisites. Competitive applicants exceed these marks.
How many observation hours does University of Louisville Dental Hygiene require?
Complete 20 hours minimum observing a dental hygienist in general dentistry. Extra related experience strengthens your file.
What is the tuition for University of Louisville Dental Hygiene Program?
Dental hygiene follows undergraduate tuition rates: $6,807 per full-time semester for residents or $14,980 for nonresidents, plus applicable fees and a summer term in upper division.
Is the University of Louisville Dental Hygiene Program tiered?
Yes. Apply first to Lower Division, then separately to the two-year Upper Division at the School of Dentistry after prerequisites.
Does UofL Dental Hygiene have interviews?
Yes. An interview is required before upper-division admission; selected applicants receive an email invitation.
Can transfer students apply to University of Louisville Dental Hygiene?
Transfers with 24+ credits need a 2.8 GPA for Lower Division entry, then compete for Upper Division.
What facilities does University of Louisville School of Dentistry offer?
Modern clinics, lecture halls, a diverse patient base, and specialty training with residents and faculty.
Sources
- dentistry.louisville.edu: admissions criteria requirements hygiene
- dentistry.louisville.edu: dental hygiene admissions
- catalog.louisville.edu: dental hygiene program
- kyda.org: ULSD Dental Hygiene Program 2022
- dentistry.louisville.edu: faqs hygiene
- catalog.louisville.edu: dental hygiene program
- catalog.louisville.edu: dhed
- dentistry.louisville.edu: curriculum hygiene
- catalog.louisville.edu: dental hygiene bs
- louisville.edu: copy of LowerDivisionCurriculum2023
- catalog.louisville.edu: dhed
- theukcatpeople.co.uk: dental school practice interview questions
Last updated: September 26, 2026