Dental Hygiene Outcomes and Standards
Program Outcomes
- Broad-based general education, prepares students to contribute to their profession, community and society by communicating effectively, thinking critically and conceptually, acting ethically and valuing diversity.
- Requisite skills with a strong knowledge base, hands on experience and the mindset required for success in the dynamic field of dental hygiene.
- Thorough foundation in the diversified fields of dental hygiene i.e., clinician, educator/health promoter, consumer advocate, administrator/manager, change agent and researcher.
- Emphasis on importance of life-long learning in the ever-changing profession of dental hygiene.
Program Standards
In order to be admitted to or continue in either Dental Hygiene (BSDH) program, a student must have skills and abilities essential to perform as a dental hygienist. Reasonable accommodations will be made on an individual basis; however, the candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner.
| Standard | Examples of Activities |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. | Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations, develop treatment plans. |
| Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for effective interaction with patients and other members of the health care team in verbal and written form. | Able to obtain information, explain treatment procedures, initiate health education training, describe patient situations, perceive non-verbal communications. |
| Mobility: Physical abilities (including standing, walking, bending, range of motion of extremities) to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. | Able to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, move around inpatient treatment area. |
| Motor: Gross and fine motor function sufficient to provide safe and effective dental hygiene care. | Able to use dental instruments, manipulate various dental materials. |
| Hearing: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Able to listen to breath and heart sounds. Able to hear equipment monitors, such as x-ray equipment and autoclave timers. |
| Visual: Visual ability sufficient to provide safe and effective dental hygiene care. | Able to observe patients and use instruments in the oral cavity. Adequate close vision to see small lesions and deposits on teeth. |
| Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and scaling skills. | Able to perform palpation of a pulse, extraoral and intraoral structures, and feel calculus deposits. |
Program Goals
- Accreditation - Maintain full program accreditation from the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation necessary to comprehensively prepare competent individuals in the discipline.
- Resources - Increase financial resources for all programs through departmental or school grant opportunities as well as through increasing extramural resources. Secure adequate number of faculty to meet ADA accreditation guidelines.
- Distance Learning - Expand distance-learning opportunities within the BSDH program.
- Experiential Learning - Expand experiential learning experiences in the community and the state.
- Graduate Education - Participate with other College of Health units to provide graduate education for BSDH program graduates.