Lincoln Memorial University - College of Dental Medicine
- Tennessee
- Entry Level
- In-Person
- lmunet.edu
Program Contact
1705 Saint Mary Street.
Knoxville, TN 37917
The Dental Hygiene Program at Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) prepares students to become skilled, ethical dental hygienists through classroom learning, simulation, clinical practice, and community service. The program emphasizes evidence-based care, critical thinking, professionalism, and the connection between oral and overall health.
Why Choose LMU? Students gain hands-on experience at LMU-CDM clinics and approved community sites, serving diverse patient populations. Intraprofessional courses and shared clinical experiences allow dental and dental hygiene students to learn together and understand their complementary roles in comprehensive patient care. Community outreach includes the Elgin Healthy Smiles school screening program and dental services through Grace House in Kingsport. These experiences strengthen students’ understanding of prevention, health literacy, access to care, and community service. Faculty also encourage research and applying evidence-based findings to clinical practice.
The curriculum includes general education, dental hygiene didactic courses, laboratories, simulation, and supervised clinical practice. Students progress from foundational knowledge to comprehensive patient assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, treatment planning, preventive and therapeutic services, patient education, and evaluation of care. Interprofessional education prepares students to collaborate with other healthcare professionals. One first-year cohort is admitted each Fall.
Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and applicable clinical or state examinations. Graduates who meet all state-specific requirements may apply for dental hygiene licensure.
Application Information-Program Start: Fall 2027
Application Opens: October 2026
Application Deadline: March 15, 2027
Applicants must complete the LMU undergraduate admission process and submit an application through ADEA DHCAS. Admission is competitive and limited by clinical resources. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Applicants must meet current GPA, prerequisite, shadowing, recommendation, essay, and interview requirements. LMU evaluates transfer coursework according to its policies. Once admitted, students must complete core courses in sequence and maintain required academic, clinical, and professional standards. Graduation requires successful completion of all curriculum requirements and clinical competencies.
Costs and Supplies: Students are responsible for tuition, fees, and required supplies, including uniforms, clinic-approved shoes, instrument kits, handpieces, curing lights, and textbooks. Additional expenses may include graduation, board examination, and licensure costs. Refer to LMU’s current cost-of-attendance information.
The LMU-CDM Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Contact: lmudentalhygiene@lmunet.edu
Program Information
| Program Type | Entry Level |
|---|---|
| Teaching Method | In-Person |
| Degree Awarded | Associate |
| Program Size | 30 |
| Program Length | 21 Months |
| Application Deadline | March 15, 2027 |
| Program Start Date | August 16, 2027 |
| Credit Hours Required to Graduate | Minimum 96 |
| Supplemental Application | No |
| Supplemental Fee | No |
| Accepts International Students | No |
| Supports Student Visa | No |
| Program Website | lmunet.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
- ACT
- SAT
Other Standardized Tests
Direct Freshman Entry students must take either the ACT or SAT for proper placement in prerequisite courses. Please see the LMU CDM Dental Hygiene website for further explanation.
Prerequisite Instructions
Students must have taken the seven prerequisite courses from an accredited institution to qualify for entry via this pathway. Prerequisites and recommended courses align with those of the previous path.
A a minimum, science GPAs of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale are required. Applicants must report both a science and a cumulative GPA over 3.00 (although >3.25 will be generally competitive) on a 4.00 scale.
Letters of Evaluation Instructions
Two letters of recommendation are required. It is preferred letters be written by a healthcare professional or a science professor. Letters written by immediate family members will not be accepted.
Other Requirement Instructions
Complete 16 hours of documented observation/shadowing with a Registered Dental Hygienist.
A 250-word essay describing why the applicant chose the dental hygiene career path.
An interview with the dental hygiene admissions committee.
Applicants must pass the LMU-CDM criminal background check.
Applicants must be drug-free, as evidenced by LMU-CDM-required drug testing (completed upon offer of admission).