The Dental Hygiene program is designed to prepare students as professionals in the discipline of dental hygiene. The roles of the dental hygienist can vary depending on the state board regulations. Some of the patient care services performed by a dental hygienist may include:

- patient screening procedures such as reviewing of the health history, dental charting, oral inspections, taking and recording blood pressure
- exposing and developing radiographs (x-rays)
- removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from the teeth
- teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene measures to maintain healthy teeth and gums
- counseling patients concerning nutrition, tobacco cessation and other risk factors of disease
- applying cavity-preventive agents such as fluoride and sealants
- taking impressions of patients' teeth for study models

Following acceptance into the program, the dental hygiene program is two years in length with an eight week summer session between the first and second year. Students are provided with classroom, laboratory and clinical experience emphasizing skill development, self assessment and professionalism. Experiences include clinical experience throughout the curriculum in the NDSCS dental clinic. Students are also offered experience in off campus affiliation sites to enhance their dental hygiene education (Veterans Administration Medical Center, Fargo, ND, geriatric nursing home, dental specialty practices). Students must provide their own transportation to off campus affiliation sites.

Although career placement is excellent, students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in dental hygiene or related fields have a number of transfer options to four year schools.