On-Campus or Online
The Fones School of Dental Hygiene is the world's first dental hygiene school. Study on-campus or online with access to our on-site dental clinic.
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The Fones School of Dental Hygiene
The concept of professional dental hygiene care was developed in the early part of the twentieth century. The term “dental hygiene” itself is attributed to Dr. Alfred Civilion Fones, a major creative force in the dental hygiene movement, and the founder of the Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport. The first dental hygiene school in the world, the Fones School proudly bears his name.
Degrees Offered
Dental Hygiene AS
The two-year curriculum of the Associate of Science degree combines University of Bridgeport general education courses with courses from the Fones School of Dental Hygiene to offer a broad educational preparation. In addition to basic and dental science theory, the program provides education in prevention service and dental health education.
Dental Hygiene BS
The Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene is completed through the integration of Associate’s degree Dental Hygiene courses and Bachelor’s degree courses, or by continuing studies after completing an Associate’s degree at an accredited School of Dental Hygiene.
Dental Hygiene BS Online
The Online Bachelor of Science degree allows you to customize your online program plan to meet your personal career goals in as little as two years, enabling you to directly transfer gained expertise to a professional work setting.
Dental Hygiene MS
Designed for dental hygiene professionals seeking to advance into leadership positions in education and public health, the Master of Science program offers abundant preparation for a range of career opportunities. Earn your degree in as little as two years as you become proficient in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the field.
Dental Hygiene MS Online
The Online Master of Science concentrated practicum allows you to apply your studies in a professional setting that aligns best with your goals while completing your coursework online. Choose from over 100 facilities, with new sites added each year.
Internships provide you with direct observation, participation, and supervised teaching or fieldwork.
Service Learning
The community service component of the Fones School of Dental Hygiene is renowned among dental hygiene programs. Its purpose is to continue the community outreach philosophy of Dr. Alfred C. Fones, applying the theories and concepts of public health when providing oral health care to community populations.
The Fones students and faculty provide oral health education, screenings, preventive services, and referrals to more than 9,000 people annually in Southwestern Connecticut and adjacent regions. The Fones School of Dental Hygiene is an important health delivery resource in the Greater Bridgeport area and is highly regarded in Connecticut as well as nationally.
Dental and dental hygiene professionals recognize the name of the Fones School as standing for excellence in the education it provides to future dental hygienists and, most notably, for its outreach and public health services, which are considered innovative and models for other dental hygiene schools across the country.
These services are provided by students enrolled full-time in the accredited educational program leading to an Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene and are supervised by Connecticut-licensed dental hygienists.
Community Outreach Sites
Clinical Treatment Services
- Fones Dental Hygiene Health Center
- Integrative Clinic in UB Clinics
- Yale-New Haven Hospital Hamden Dental Center
- Norwalk Hospital Dental Clinic
- Southwest Community Health Center
- Jettie S. Tisdale Elementary School
Community Education
- Public/private K-12 school children
- Head Start/Day Care/Nursery School children
- Pregnant adolescents
- Mentally, physically and/or emotionally challenged populations
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers
- Homeless shelters
- Nursing homes
- Senior centers
- Adult Day Care centers
UB Clinics
The Fones Dental Hygiene Clinic offers services to the general public as well as to the University's students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Dental hygiene students with extensive education and training that have demonstrated competency in clinical services have the unique opportunity to treat the public under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists.
Financing Your Education
Financial means shouldn’t be a barrier to becoming an exceptional educator. That’s why the University of Bridgeport offers a variety of academic and need-based financial aid opportunities, including scholarships. We can also work with you to understand public and private loan options that will help pay for your degree or certification.
Connecting Education to Career
University of Bridgeport
126 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-4552
admissions@bridgeport.edu
