Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene

Course is designed for the licensed dental hygienist who seeks to maintain an awareness of changing trends, perspectives, evidence-based interventions and technologies in dental hygiene, health, and society that influence the dental hygiene process of care. (Offered summer.)

This course is designed to explore various educational concepts, principles and methods of teaching for adults. Students will learn to present educational information to a diverse client population, in a variety of settings, in an ethical and professional manner. Topics include, but are not limited to, objectives, planning, implementation and evaluation of instruction; instructional strategies; delivery models; presentation skills; and techniques for communicating health information. (offered fall)

Designed to develop skills in scientific methods, evidence based decision making, levels of evidence, and critical analysis of research findings. Emphasis on types of research, problem selection and hypothesis writing, research planning and design, data collection and measuring techniques, analysis and interpretation of data, research proposal writing and computer application. A written research proposal is required for graduate credit. (offered fall)

A study of current trends that influence the profession of dental hygiene including oral health care delivery, manpower, financing mechanisms, quality improvement, third party payers, professional associations, regulatory agencies and legislation. Emphasis is on ethical, political, and legal issues as they relate to the dental hygiene profession. (offered spring)

This course will examine the concept, global impact, and trends in telehealthcare technology on the client/patient, multidisciplinary practitioners, and various healthcare systems. Emphasis is on effective evidence-based decision making to reduce errors in patient care, promote care in remote or underserved geographical areas, and the ability to retrieve and evaluate healthcare information that improves access to quality, cost effective health care. (Offered spring)

Independent reading and study on a topic selected under direction of a faculty member. (Offered fall, spring, summer)

The application of principles and theories of education and management to dental hygiene clinical education. Emphasis is on planning, implementing and evaluating clinical teaching, assessment of clinical competence, management of human and physical resources, and regulations affecting clinical education. This course is offered only during fall semester.

This course examines the principles and innovative applications for modeling and simulation in healthcare practice, research, education, and administration with emphasis on emerging issues and trends in technology. Topics include the selection and implementation of simulation technology in conceptual epidemiology public and environmental health, dental hygiene, dentistry, nursing, medicine, laboratory sciences, healthcare management and health information. (offered summer)

This course will expose the inter-professional student to current and future challenges of aging in our society. Topics will include Healthy People 2020 objectives, health promotion and disease prevention for the aging, sociocultural issues, and theories on behavior and motivation. Common systemic and oral health conditions of the aging adult will be identified. Critical analysis of the current health environment will provide a format for discussion and identification of strategies for health promotion and disease control for the aging. Measures for promoting and maintaining oral health and overall health of the aging population will be explored, with attention to current research from the literature. This course is offered during summer semesters only.

Faculty-led experiences offer unique opportunities for students to travel abroad, develop cross cultural competence, experience global health challenges, and engage in projects that advance oral health worldwide.

Explores instructional strategies and their application to contemporary health professional roles. Emphasis is on individuals as health care specialists in business and industry; professional, private and public organizations; higher education; and the health care industry. Topics include implementation and evaluation of instruction, roles and responsibilities of faculty within an accredited program affected by state and national standards, and ethical and career related issues and trends. Students are provided with practical experience in traditional and distance education instructional methods. (offered spring)

Course brings together students from various health disciplines to learn each other's roles and collaborate as a team using technology to promote health and prevent disease. Focus will be on optimizing health efforts and outcomes through an interprofessional approach that is guided by the research evidence and current technologies. Topics include Healthy People 2020 objectives, age, specific clinical guidelines for health promotion and illness prevention, theories on behavior and motivation, sociocultural issues, telehealth care, and various health problems. Evidence-based measures used by the team for promoting and maintaining health throughout the lifespan are emphasized. (spring only)

Experience-based learning activities designed to develop a role of competence related to the individual’s area of specialization while working under the supervision of a faculty member or host supervisor within an educational, health care, research, or corporate health setting. A clinical dental hygiene internship is prerequisite to DNTH 669. Available for pass/fail grade only. (offered fall, spring, summer as available)

This practicum course is for students to apply principles and theories of education and management to dental hygiene clinical education. Emphasis is on planning, implementing, and evaluating clinical teaching, assessment of clinical competence, management of human and physical resources, and regulations affecting clinical education. This course is only offered during fall semester.

Advanced seminars on selected topics in dental hygiene. Topics vary by semester. (offered fall, spring, summer)

Independent reading and study on a topic selected under direction of a faculty member. (offered fall, spring, summer)

An original thesis research project executed with the major advisor and thesis committee supervising the student's research project. A written research proposal must be submitted and approved prior to beginning the project. Required for students in the thesis option. Available as pass/fail grade only. (offered fall, spring, summer).

Devoted to research, writing of the thesis, and scheduled conferences with the candidate's advisor and thesis committee. Students must submit an acceptable written thesis demonstrating knowledge of problem selection, data classification, analysis and interpretation and defend it. Available as pass/fail grade only. (offered fall, spring, summer)

This course is a pass/fail course for master's students in their final semester. It may be taken to fulfill the registration requirement necessary for graduation. All master's students are required to be registered for at least one graduate credit hour in the semester of their graduation.