Division of Health Professions and Sciences

Chair: Rosa A. Mo, Ed.D., R.D.N.

The Division of Health Professions of the College of Arts and Sciences is the home of science-based professional programs in health care. Combining a strong foundation in biological science with practical real-life learning and field experience. Programs include the MS Human Nutrition, BS Dental Hygiene and AS Dental Hygiene.

Dental Hygiene

Director: Sandra D'Amato Palumbo, M.P.S.

Associate Professors: Sandra D'Amato Palumbo, M.P.S., Quinnipiac University; Mark Kacerik, M.S., University of Bridgeport; Renee Prajer, M.S., University of Bridgeport

Assistant Professor: Gwen Grosso, M.S., University of Bridgeport

The cornerstone of the UNH dental hygiene program is the bachelor of science degree. This program enables the student to be involved in dental hygiene course work throughout all four years of the curriculum. The course of study integrates science prerequisites and general (core) education requirements with foundational and advanced-level dental hygiene courses. Graduates of the bachelor of science program will be prepared not only to seek employment in private dental offices but also to pursue employment in a variety of other health care settings such as dental hygiene and dental business/industry, nursing homes, centers for the developmentally disabled, hospitals, home health care agencies, correctional facilities, and community health centers. Bachelor of science degree students also have the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue education at the graduate level.

Students who wish to exit the program at the end of three years of study may earn an associate in science degree in dental hygiene. This program prepares graduates for necessary board examinations and employment primarily in the dental office setting. The associate degree program integrates science prerequisite courses and foundational dental hygiene courses into a three-year curriculum. Graduates of the program are positioned to practice as dental hygienists and, if desired, complete the bachelor's degree by participating in one additional year of study.

In addition to the programs described above, UNH offers a dental hygiene degree completion program. This curriculum is designed for practicing dental hygienists who are graduates of associate degree programs. The degree completion program enables dental hygienists to transfer credits from an accredited dental hygiene program and utilize their academic and work experience as the basis for completing course work leading to the bachelor of science degree.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for all prospective UNH students, it is recommended that applicants to the dental hygiene program demonstrate satisfactory performance in the sciences and mathematics. It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed both high school biology and chemistry with laboratory and two years of college preparatory mathematics. An in-person or telephone interview with the department director or a faculty member is recommended; letters of recommendation supporting the student's ability to pursue a rigorous science-based curriculum and desire to contribute in the health care delivery system are strongly encouraged. Admission to the program is limited. All students enrolled as freshman in the dental hygiene program or in the clinical course sequence must be full time. For additional admission criteria regarding the dental hygiene program contact the Department of Admissions.

Professional Accreditation and Licensure

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.

Students in the program are provided with application materials for the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination (written) and the Northeast Regional Board Examination (NERB/clinical). Both the National Board Examination and a clinical examination are required for program graduates to apply for dental hygiene licensure in Connecticut and most other states.

Nutrition and Dietetics

Director: Georgia Chavent, M.S., R.D.N.

Assistant Professor: Georgia Chavent, M.S., Columbia University; R.D.N., Medical College of Virginia

Lecturer: Rosa A. Mo, Ed.D., Columbia University; R.D.N., Yale-New Haven Hospital

Practitioner-in Residence: Amy Krystock Plano, Ms, RDN, CDE, CD-N, University of Connecticut, Yale-New Haven Hospital

The undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics Program is an accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, The recently revised curriculum prepares students for a career as a registered dietitian or dietetic technician, registered. Coursework includes a strong foundation in math and science and dietetics classes that meet competency areas established by ACEND. University core course requirements are also included in the curriculum, as well as, required Academic Service Learning nutrition education coursework in the community. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a signed Verification Statement from the Program Director enabling them to enter post graduate dietetic internship programs or eligibility to sit for the national Dietetic Technician, Registered exam. Students usually apply for a match to a post graduate dietetic internship programs during their final year of study. Accredited dietetic internship programs provide at least 1200 hours of supervised practice to prepare students for the national registration exam and the credential RD or RDN, registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist.

The Nutrition and Dietetics Program attracts many students who already hold undergraduate degrees in another field and are seeking a career as a registered dietitian nutritionist. Concurrent study at the graduate level is also possible enabling students to complete the undergraduate, didactic requirements, along with graduate coursework in the Human Nutrition Graduate Program once they have met prerequisite course requirements.

Graduates of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program are working in community health centers, fitness facilities, obesity treatment centers, Women Infant and Children Nutrition Education Programs, feeding centers for senior citizens, eating disorder residential treatment settings and as Dietetic Technicians in acute and long term care settings. Graduates who have gone on to become registered dietitians are working as specialized clinical dietitians in the areas of food allergies, renal disease, care of individuals with severe burns, oncology, cardiac disease and gastrointestinal diseases. Other areas of employment include school lunch programs, specialized nutrition catering, grocery store tours, long term care and private practice.

The field of nutrition and dietetics offers a variety of career opportunities in every health care or wellness setting with the need for dietitians and nutritionists expected to grow over 20% in the next 8 years.

Professional Accreditation

As stated above, the undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics Program is accredited as a Didactic Program (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics