Online General Chemistry for Dental Hygiene Applicants

Required at most CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs and foundational to pharmacology and dental materials content mandated by CODA Standard 2-8b. Self-paced, regionally accredited.

All DH Prerequisites

4Credit Hours

Self-PacedStart any month

CHEM 151UIU Course Code

OfficialTranscript to CODA Program

🏛HLC Regionally Accredited (UIU)

✅CODA Program Accepted

📅Start Any Month — Self-Paced

🎓Official UIU Transcript

💬Advisor Support Included

✅ Will this count for dental hygiene prerequisites? This course is delivered through Upper Iowa University (HLC regionally accredited). CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs require prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions. Always verify with your specific target program before enrolling.

What You'll Learn

Atomic structure and the periodic table
Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, and metallic
Stoichiometry and reaction types
Acids, bases, and pH — directly relevant to oral health chemistry
Solutions, molarity, and osmosis
Thermodynamics and reaction kinetics
Introduction to organic functional groups
Lab: titration, calorimetry, solution preparation

How Dental Hygiene Programs Use This Course

CODA Standard 2-8b explicitly mandates that DH programs include chemistry and biochemistry content in their biomedical sciences curriculum. General Chemistry provides the foundational knowledge for understanding dental materials (composites, amalgam, cements), local anesthetic chemistry, fluoride mechanism, and pharmacology — all major components of the NBDHE and clinical DH practice. Most CODA programs require at least one semester of college chemistry.

Chemistry

Online General Chemistry

📚 4 Credits⏱ Self-Paced

$695Total · No hidden fees

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Which DH Programs Require This Course

Program / Type	Requires This Course	Online Accepted	Notes
Most CODA-accredited DH programs	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	Majority requirement; some require 2 semesters
Oxnard College DH Program	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	Chemistry required
Southwestern College DH Program	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	Chemistry required
Programs with Biochemistry preference	— Verify	✓ Yes	Some programs prefer or accept Biochemistry
DA-to-RDH Bridge Programs	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	Chemistry commonly required

* Requirements change. Always verify directly with your target program. Last reviewed May 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Chemistry I only, or Chemistry I and II?

Most CODA dental hygiene programs require one semester of chemistry (Chemistry I). A minority require both semesters. Check the specific requirements of your target programs before enrolling — if they require only one semester, you don't need to take II.

Is General Chemistry the same as Chemistry for Health Sciences?

No. Chemistry for Health Sciences is typically a non-majors survey course that does not satisfy the General Chemistry prerequisite at most programs. CODA programs require college-level General Chemistry (4 credits, typically designated as CHEM 151 or equivalent). Always verify the exact course title and level with your target program.

Does Chemistry have a recency requirement at DH programs?

Most programs apply recency requirements only to biological sciences (A&P and Microbiology). Chemistry recency rules are less consistently enforced — but verify with your specific target program.