Dental Hygiene Program Mission and Goals

MISSION

The Department of Dental Hygiene provides an excellent educational environment, promotes a humanistic culture and prepares a diverse workforce of oral health care providers who can meet the needs and improve the oral health and general wellbeing of our local, national and global communities. 

Extensive community support, experiences and personal contact enrich the learning environments for our students in the classroom, clinical and community settings. Our program is dedicated to making your education a collaborative approach in interdisciplinary healthcare settings. 

PROGRAM GOALS

• Prepare qualified dental hygienists who meet professional and departmental competencies in:
  • Professional knowledge
  • Health promotion and disease prevention
  • Professional development and ethical practice
  • The dental hygiene process of care
  • Person-centered care
• Maintain a curriculum that provides relevant and current dental hygiene education, discipline knowledge, supports a welcoming learning environment and provides skill development, including technological advances for students.
• Maintain a curriculum that provides high-impact education experiences, including but not limited to unique clinical and community health settings, education, research and service.
• Serve as a community resource for oral health knowledge and education.
• Foster professional and leadership development through engagement in education, scholarship, and service to the university, our professional associations and our community.
• Maintain admissions standards and create a student body that reflects the communities we serve.