University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
Dental Hygiene Program
Office of Dental Student Affairs
The Office of Dental Student Affairs is available
to assist students in planning their academic
program and to provide students with
information regarding policies, procedures, and
general information. The office is located in
Room 231 in the School of Dentistry. Office
hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through
Friday. The phone number is (502) 852-5081.
It is the student’s responsibility to be
knowledgeable of the policies and procedures,
and to take the initiative in seeking help and
advice. Students are encouraged to contact the
office whenever they have a question, a problem,
or they do not know where else to go for
assistance.
Students are required to come to the Office of
Dental Student Affairs for the following:
 Advising and Referral to University
Resources
 Complete Withdrawal from all courses or
School of Dentistry
 Schedule Changes
 Leave of Absence Request (more
information is available in the Student
Policy Handbook)
 Evaluation of Transfer Credits
 Repeat Options
 Determination of Status
Name/Address Changes
It is the student’s responsibility to update any
change in name, address, or telephone number.
The student may complete a name/address
change through the ULink option available from
the U of L website at www.louisville.edu or in
the Registrar’s Office on Belknap Campus or by
calling that office at 852-6522.
Disability Statement
Students with disabilities who need reasonable
modifications to successfully complete
assignments and satisfy other course criteria are
encouraged to meet with the course instructor as
early as possible to identify and plan specific
accommodations. Students may be asked to
supply a letter from the Disability Resource
Center or other documentation which will assist
in modification planning.
Academic Unit Information
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Student Conduct Policies
The University of Louisville expects its students
and student organizations to conduct themselves
according to generally accepted moral and social
standards and to respect the rights and privileges
of others. Students who enroll in the University
of Louisville Dental Hygiene Program are
subject to the Rules and Regulations of the
University.
Ethical Violations
The Dental Hygiene Program expects high
ethical standards. As future professionals,
students should exhibit appropriate professional
ethical behavior in all academic and clinical
matters.
A student may be dismissed from school because
of unethical conduct. A formal procedure has
been established to review cases where a student
is accused of unethical behavior.
Drug Use Prohibited
In accordance with the statutes of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky, the possession, use
or distribution of hallucinogenic and/or illegal
drugs will not be tolerated on University
property. Infractions will result in disciplinary
action by the University which may lead to
suspension or dismissal from the Dental Hygiene
Program.
Students' Rights
Students who believe they have been treated
unfairly, discriminated against, or have had their
rights abridged may initiate a grievance in
accordance with procedures established in the
University’s Redbook. Students would first seek
to have the matter resolved through informal
discussion and through administrative channels.
Information about processing a grievance may be
obtained from the School of Dentistry’s
Associate Dean for Predoctoral Education.
Student Health Policy
Each student must comply with the current
health policy of the School of Dentistry. Because
of contractual agreements with agencies and the
changing needs of society, this policy is updated
periodically. The current health policies are
published in the School of Dentistry Dental
Hygiene Undergraduate Student Handbook. It is
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University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
the responsibility of the student to maintain his
or her health in order to ensure safety for other
students and patients. If faculty or the agency
deem that any student creates a health or safety
risk, the student may be excluded from the
clinical experience and/or program.
Liability and Health Insurance
All Upper Division dental hygiene students are
required to submit proof of health care insurance
coverage. Students can be covered under the
University’s student health insurance coverage.
If students carry their own coverage, they can
waive the University student health coverage by
completing the online waiver form.
The Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)
requires that candidates for the dental hygiene
exam have liability/malpractice insurance. SRTA
does provide insurance for the SRTA exam only.
The student must have liability/malpractice
insurance during their extern clinical experiences
for various agencies including AHEC. This
policy applies to students enrolled in the senior
year of the dental hygiene program.
Immunization Requirements
All students are to comply with the University of
Louisville Health Sciences Center
Immunizations requirements. Those
requirements are distributed to students prior to
matriculation.
Policies and procedures for immunization,
testing, and post exposure incidents have been
developed to comply with Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), American Dental
Association (ADA), American Dental
Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), and extramural
site recommendations or policies. Dental hygiene
students, in the course of their clinical
responsibilities, have exposure to blood, blood
products, tissue, secretions, or body fluids of
patients potentially containing hepatitis B (HBV)
and are at risk for HBV as well as other
infectious diseases. The following
immunizations require documentation prior to
matriculation and must be submitted on the
Immunization Reporting Form to the Office of
Clinical Affairs prior to the first day of class:
Measles, Mumps, Rubella,Tetanus-Diphtheria-
Pertussis, Varicella, Hepatitis-B (series must be
initiated-first and second doses), Tuberculosis
Academic Unit Information
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Skin Test. A Tuberculosis Skin Test is required
on a yearly basis for all students. All students
must maintain compliance with the University of
Louisville Health Sciences Immunization and
testing requirements. Compliance must be
documented on the “Immunization Reporting
Form.” The School of Dentistry and/or the
University Health Services will send notices
regarding missing or pending immunizations or
tests on a monthly basis to the Office of Clinic
Affairs. Immunization Compliance will be
verified at the beginning of each semester.
Students must be in compliance with
immunization and testing prior to contact with
patients in the clinical areas. Any student not in
compliance will not be allowed in the clinical
areas. This will constitute an unexcused absence
from the clinic sessions missed and will be
reflected in the letter grade for attendance. The
University of Louisville School of Dentistry will
maintain immunization compliance records for
all students, but the University of Louisville
Health Services will monitor compliance with
the immunization program. The Office of
Clinical Affairs will forward notices of missing
or pending immunizations or tests to individual
students. The Physician Director of the Health
Services Office will review any cases requiring
special attention. Immunizations or a titer test
may be obtained from the student’s private
physician or through services available at the
University Health Services Center. Current
information about receiving the vaccine or titer
test, including costs, may be obtained from the
Office of the Associate Dean for Clinics and
Postdoctoral Education at the School of
Dentistry.
Students are strongly advised to consider latex
allergy testing prior to matriculation if there is a
medical history indicating latex sensitivity.
Students who become latex sensitive/allergic,
while enrolled in the University of Louisville
School of Dentistry must seek a consultation
from their private physician. CPR certification
for health care providers is also required of
students prior to contact with patients. Any
student not in compliance will not be allowed in
the clinical areas. Documentation of compliance
for all students will be maintained by the Office
of Clinic Affairs.
Transportation
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University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
Students are responsible for providing their own
transportation to and from clinical sites as
needed. Students are not allowed to provide
transportation for patients.
Policy on Clinical Attire
The University of Louisville School of Dentistry
expects the student entering the professional
clinical/academic program to present a neat,
clean, and professional attired appearance. The
current policy is published in the School of
Dentistry Student Clinic Manual and is updated
periodically. All students must maintain
compliance with the current policy. Final
evaluation of student compliance with the dress
code will rest with the Office of Clinic Affairs
and the program faculty and director.
Academic Achievement Committee
These Dental Hygiene Academic Achievement
Committee Guidelines (DH-AAC Guidelines)
have been developed by the Dental Hygiene
faculty of the School of Dentistry to provide
students and faculty with pertinent information
about the academic and professional standards of
the School and about the process and procedures
used to review student performance. Section I of
these guidelines apply only to students enrolled
in the Dental Hygiene (DHL) Program Lower
Division and Section II guidelines apply
exclusively to the students enrolled in the Dental
Hygiene (DHU) Program Upper Division.
Committee Organization and Operation
DH-AAC Guidelines
These DH-AAC Guidelines will be the principal
standard used in determining the status of each
DH student. Approved motions will constitute
recommendations to the Associate Dean for
Predoctoral Education through the Chair of the
Dental Hygiene Academic Achievement
Committee.
Other documents which serve as guidance for
non-academic reviews include:
 Ethical problems (“Procedures to be
Followed When a Breach of Ethical Conduct
is Alleged”, June, 1977)
 Clinical protocol problems (“Clinical
Review Board”, June 20, 1986)
 ULSD Clinic Manual
Academic Unit Information
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Existing documents are amended and new
documents drafted as specific needs arise.
A. Composition of the Dental Hygiene Academic
Achievement Committee
The Academic Achievement Committee is the
committee with the authority to make
recommendations to the Associate Dean for
Predoctoral Education regarding DH student
performance.
1. Academic Achievement Committee (AAC)
The DH-AAC will be composed of all dental
hygiene course directors and full-time faculty
members of the dental hygiene program. The
Chair of the DH-AAC will be elected by the DH
faculty and serve for a period of 3 years.
B. Functions of the DH-AAC
The Dental Hygiene Academic Achievement
Committee (DH-AAC) will function:
 to review the academic progress of all DH
students;
 to make recommendations to the Associate
Dean for Predoctoral Education for:
 students in real or potential academic
difficulty, or - students who have
demonstrated outstanding ability, and;
 to propose academic policy development or
modification to this document to the Dental
School Council through the Faculty
Assembly.
C. Meetings
The DH-AAC will meet on a regular basis at the
end of each term (prior to the beginning of the
next term). It may also meet during the course if
the term (midterm) to evaluate progress of dental
hygiene students and at additional times to act on
special interim business, (e.g. progress of
remediation, removal of “X” grades, etc).
D. Scheduling and Notification of Meetings
A tentative schedule of DH-AAC meetings is
announced at the beginning of the academic year
by the Chair. Selection of the actual dates, times,
and locations for Standing Committee meetings
will be made by the Chair in consultation with
the members of the DH-AAC.
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University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
E. Meeting Procedures
The DH-AAC will meet to discuss student
progress in the curriculum. Written or electronic
notification of meetings will be circulated to all
course directors, the Department Chair, and DH-
AAC members by the Chair at least five (5)
business days prior to a meeting. The DH-AAC
will deliberate and make recommendations to the
Associate Dean for Predoctoral Education, as
appropriate regarding:
 Promotion
 Counseling or academic advising
 Remedial work based on departmental
recommendations(s)
 Probation
 Dismissal
 Leave of Absence
 Modification of development of academic
policy
F. Quorum
A majority of members of the DHAAC present
will constitute a quorum.
G. Minutes
The minutes of the DH-AAC are confidential
and will not be circulated. Faculty may review
DHAAC minutes held in the office of the
Associate Dean for Pre-doctoral Education. A
student may have access only to those sections of
the minutes which deal directly with the
processes affecting that individual.
H. Academic Status Report
A student academic status report will be
distributed by the Chair of the DH-AAC to
faculty and the department chair of Periodontics,
Endodontics and Dental Hygiene following DH-
AAC meetings.
I. Committee Voting Rules
Each member of the DH-AAC will be entitled to
one vote with the exception of the Chair. The
Chair is entitled to vote only in the event of a tie
vote. Recommendations must be approved by a
majority of voting members present.
J. Lower Division Course Specific Policies
Academic Unit Information
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Students must earn a grade of "C" or above in
the following courses (or their equivalents):
Written Communications (6hrs)
Math
Intro. to Biological Systems BIOL 102
Intro. To Biological Systems Lab BIOL 104
Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL 260
Anatomy & Physiology II BIOL 261
Anatomy & Physiology Lab BIOL 262
Chemistry CHEM 101 or 105
Nutrition HSS 303
Repetition of Science Courses
The following courses can be repeated only one
time:
CHEM 101 or 105
BIOL 260 Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL 261 Anatomy & Physiology II
BIOL 262 Anatomy & Physiology Lab
Students who do not pass the course the second
time will be dismissed from the program.
K. Performance Evaluation Hearing
The purpose of a Performance Evaluation
Hearing is to provide the members of the DH-
AAC with an appropriate forum in which to
discuss a student’s academic problems and
provide an opportunity for direct discussions
with the involved student. The consequence of
the hearing may be a recommendation to the
Associate Dean for Predoctoral Education or the
Dean, as appropriate.
L. Hearing Process
The Hearing Process will occur as follows:
 The dental hygiene student will receive a
written notice to appear for a Performance
Evaluation Hearing. The Hearing will be
scheduled no sooner than seven (7) days
following the DH-AAC motion that a
hearing is requested. The notice will include
the date, time, and location of the Hearing
and outline the reason(s) for the Hearing.
The student will be granted time to prepare
for the Hearing. A student who wishes to
exercise the right to a Hearing must submit a
letter in writing to the Chair of the DH-
AAC. The Chair of the DH-AAC must
Dental Hygiene Program
University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
receive such letter in a minimum of 48 hours
prior to a Hearing date.
 Prior to the Hearing, the student will be
permitted to inspect the student’s entire
dental school academic record and any other
materials upon which the Hearing is based.
 The student will be permitted to present
relevant information and have an advocate
present at the Hearing. The advocate is
limited to another student or faculty member
from the University of Louisville School of
Dentistry. The advocate may address the
DH-AAC only by permission of the Chair of
the DH-AAC.
 The DH-AAC may offer, through duly
approved motion, any formal
recommendation(s) to the Associate Dean
for Predoctoral Education or the Dean
deemed appropriate for the circumstances of
a specific student, and consistent with these
guidelines.
 The final decision on student progress and
promotion rests with the Associate Dean for
Predoctoral Education.
M. Hearing Outcome
After reviewing a student’s academic
circumstance under the provision of a
Performance Evaluation Hearing, the DH-AAC
may make the following recommendations to the
Associate Dean for Predoctoral Education as
appropriate:
Dismissal
 A recommendation for the student’s
dismissal will be based solely upon the
evidence presented at the Hearing.
 A student will be dismissed from the Dental
Hygiene Program who receives an “F” in
one or more courses for two consecutive
terms.
 A recommendation for dismissal may
include the terms “with preference” or
“without preference”.
 A recommendation for dismissal without
preference reflects a very significant
concern about the student’s ability to
manage the dental school curriculum.
 A recommendation for dismissal with
preference reflects the opinion that although
the student did not perform well
academically, there is the impression that the
student possesses the ability to manage the
dental hygiene curriculum.
Academic Unit Information
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Repeat of a Class Year
 “Repeat the year” means repeat the
curriculum and the student may begin
classes at the beginning of the next
academic year. The repeat of an entire year
for the purpose of overcoming academic
difficulties will be considered an option
when the degree of academic deficiency
warrants such a recommendation.
Modified or Decelerated Curriculum
 After reviewing the DH-AAC
recommendation, the Director of the Dental
Hygiene Program Director, in concert with
the appropriate course directors and the
Department chair, will prepare the special
curriculum.
Other Recommendations
 The DH-AAC may make other
recommendations as set forth in section II.
IV. Protocol for Revision or Interpretation of
AAC Guidelines
Revisions to the DH-AAC Guidelines may be
adopted only by:
 Majority vote of the DH-AAC Committee;
and
 Approval by the Dental School Council
through the Faculty Assembly.
 The implementation date of any adopted and
approved revisions to the Guidelines will be
the beginning of the next academic year.
 The DH-AAC Chair is responsible for
transmitting revised DH-AAC Guidelines to
all Dental Hygiene faculty and students in a
timely fashion.
Faculty
Interim Program Director
Jackie Singleton, R.D.H., M.Ed.
Assistant Professor
University of Louisville
Faculty
Janice Butters, R.D.H., M.P.H., Ed.D.
Professor
University of Tennessee
University of Louisville
Susan Collier, R.D.H., M.S.Ed.
Assistant Professor
Dental Hygiene Program
University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog Summer 2010 – Spring 2011

University of Kentucky

Susan W. Grammer, R.D.H., M.Ed.

Associate Professor
University of Louisville

Linda H. Lewis, R.D.H., M.Ed.

Associate Professor
University of Louisville

Other Faculty

The Program utilizes instructors from other units in the

University. The following faculty of the Schools of Dentistry
and Medicine are Course Directors in the Dental Hygiene
Program:

Norbert J. Burzynski, D.D.S., M.S.

(Professor, Diagnostic Sciences, Prosthodontics and
Restorative Dentistry)
University of Louisville

Dr. Thomas Clark, D.M.D.

(Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Surgical and
Hospital Dentistry)
University of Louisville

Margaret Hill, D.M.D.

(Associate Professor, Periodontics, Endodontics, and Dental
Hygiene, School of Dentistry)
University of Louisville

Lee Mayer, D.M.D, M.S.

Assistant Professor

Regan L. Moore, D.D.S., M.S.D.

(Associate Professor, Periodontics, Endodontics, and Dental
Hygiene, School of Dentistry)
Ohio State University

Robert H. Staat, Ph.D.

(Professor, Biological and Biophysical Sciences, School of
Dentistry)
University of Minnesota

Michael T. Tseng, Ph.D.

(Professor, Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, School of
Medicine)
State University of New York at Buffalo

Randall Vaught, D.M.D., M.A., M.S., P.H.

(Associate Professor, Diagnosis and General Dentistry,
School of Dentistry)
University of Louisville
Leonard C. Waite, Ph.D.
(Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of
Medicine)
University of Missouri

James P. Scheetz, Ph.D.

(Professor, Diagnosis and General Dentistry, School of
Dentistry)

Academic Unit Information Dental Hygiene Program