Philosophy and General Education Goals

The Division of Dental Hygiene believes the modern practicing dental hygienist requires a broad range of skills to function effectively. Competency in specific clinical-technical skills, while essential, will not be sufficient to meet increasing social needs and demands for comprehensive oral health care at all societal levels. The Division views the baccalaureate degree dental hygienist as a leader, not only in helping the dental profession respond to a changing environment, but also in developing and initiating interventions which prevent and control oral disease and promote oral wellness, and in facilitating that change itself.

The Division, in conjunction with the School of Dentistry, also assumes a responsibility to provide current and future practitioners with skills that allow them to provide efficient, quality oral health care to the public, to be responsive to a changing profession, to be lifelong learners, and to assume leadership roles within the profession and community.

Within in the Division of Dental Hygiene, the clinical component is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to develop, utilize, and enhance the knowledge and skills of dental hygiene practice. Dental hygiene services are provided a clinical model which emphasizes comprehensive care and provides a foundation for transference of skills to the work environment. The baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene prepares the graduate to:

• Perform traditional dental hygiene functions.
• Employ decision-making skills in providing clinical services in health care and educational programs.
• Function with supervision in an extended role in the provision of independent units of service.
• Assume a leadership role within political, social, educational, and professional settings to improve the health of all members of society.
• Design and implement health programs utilizing principles and theories of learning, health care organizations, behavioral science, and communication skills.
• Apply research methodology to design and to evaluate the effectiveness of health care and educational programs.
• Administer dental service programs in comprehensive health care units and community settings.
• Function as a dental health consultant.
• Prepare for graduate and advanced professional programs.