Mission, Goals & Objectives

Mission:

The Dental Hygiene program is dedicated to educating dental hygienists who are scientifically-orientated, socially aware, technically skilled, ethical practitioners competent for employment in multiple delivery settings. As members of the dental health team, they will prepare to assume professional responsibilities for providing the highest quality of preventive, educational and therapeutic services to patients in their care.

Goals of the Dental Hygiene Program

• To comprehensively prepare competent individuals in the discipline.
• To assure the quality of patient care through a comprehensive quality-assurance program.
• To familiarize students with the use of standardized research methods to enable them to evaluate scientific information as a basis for dental hygiene decision-making and to assume entry-level roles as researchers.
• To engage students in the promotion of dental health ideals through service to the community and the professional organization.

Objectives of the Dental Hygiene Program

Upon successful completion of the program and all licensing examinations, the dental hygienist will be able to:

• Discern and manage the ethical issues of dental hygiene practice in a rapidly changing environment.
• Acquire and synthesize information in a critical, scientific and effective manner.
• Be concerned with improving the knowledge, skills and values of the profession.
• Provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote optimal health.
• Initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities for diverse populations.
• Systematically collect, analyze and accurately record baseline data on the general, oral and psychosocial health status of the patient using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.
• Discuss the condition of the oral cavity, the actual and potential problems identified, the etiological and contributing factors, as well as recommended and alternative treatments available.
• Provide treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic procedures to promote and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify them as necessary.