Dental Hygiene--Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program

Program Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor's Degree Completion Outreach Program in Dental Hygiene is to prepare the graduate for career opportunities outside clinical dental hygiene such as education, public health, and business management.

Educational Objective

The program prepares the student to achieve professional growth and development.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

The graduate will be able to:

1.1  Read and critique professional literature.
1.2  Use evidence-based decision making to evaluate and incorporate emerging treatment modalities into dental hygiene practice.
1.3  Implement practice management strategies that increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and profitability of the dental hygiene practice.
1.4  Participate in the various aspects of dental practice management including marketing, technology, and office production.
1.5  Identify current and emerging issues in the profession of dental hygiene.
1.6  Assess the need for, develop, implement and evaluate oral health care programs in their communities.
1.7  Design and deliver instruction for undergraduate dental hygiene students.

Curriculum Map

The curriculum map for the degree completion program can be found on the Distance Ed web page on the OIT web site.

Summary of Student Learning Outcomes

During the 2007-08 academic year, the dental hygiene faculty formally assessed the student learning outcome summarized below.  Additional details can be found in the attached assessment report and in department assessment records.

Student learning outcome #1.1: The graduate will be able to read and critique professional literature.

Strengths: Students demonstrated proficiency in:

• Ability to use correct format (professional appearance, margins, font, headings, and double spaced)
• Ability to use appropriate writing style and correct grammar and spelling
• Ability to appropriately reference works using APA
• Ability to access resources and select appropriate studies
• Ability to appropriately write a bibliography in APA formatting

Weaknesses:

•   Ability to critically evaluate literature in writing

Action Plans:

• The DH 455 course will be redesigned to give students more practice in the critical analysis of different types of research designs. The evaluation form will be replaced with one having clearer expectations for students.