The graduate program director must approve electives that apply to the concentrations of teaching, management, and community and institutional health, or to the nonthesis option before registration. Students explore effective instructional skills used by dental hygienists in such areas as public school systems, community health programs, higher education, and consumer education. Students learn skills essential for effective management principles in their personal and professional roles. Management principles apply to a variety of oral health care delivery settings. Through an analysis and critique of literature pertinent to the dental hygienist, students examine biological, clinical, research, political, sociological, and educational trends that influence dental hygiene.
Students identify potential research questions.
Through seminar, laboratory, clinical, and research activity, this course enables the student, in cooperation with a faculty adviser, to work on an area of interest in dental hygiene. Through independent study, seminar, and clinical experience, the beginning dental hygiene clinical teacher identifies, analyzes, and develops the skills and attitudes necessary for successful clinical instruction. Students take this course concurrently with a clinical teaching practicum. Placements in junior colleges, baccalaureate programs, elementary or secondary schools, or the Dental School are arranged according to each student's career goals. Faculty advisers emphasize an analytical approach to teaching effectiveness.