The philosophy of the Dental Hygiene Program at the University of Oklahoma is one of commitment to the education of oral health professionals who are capable of integrating educational, clinical, and individual services that support and promote the total health of the patient as well as optimal oral health. 

In addition to the broader goals of the University and the College, the following goals have been adopted. Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program are expected to:

• Be competent in recognition, evaluation, and appropriate treatment of oral diseases. 
• In all settings in which responsibility has been delegated, apply scientific principles and an analytic approach to the practice of dental hygiene, educational endeavors, public health and research. 
• Act as an integral member of the dental health team by performing quality preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services, in a variety of settings, in order to improve the oral health status of the consumer. 
• Function as a valuable member of interdisciplinary teams of health personnel recognizing the unique contributions of each discipline. 
• Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, develop intellectual curiosity, and demonstrate the skills necessary to enhance learning and continue professional development throughout their career. 

The curriculum is designed and implemented with the goals as a foundation. The facilities offer a good environment for basic science and pre-clinical instruction, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Faculty are dedicated to excellence; sensitive to the depth of the curriculum offered; offer a wide range of professional experiences; and attempt to establish an atmosphere  of respect and understanding with students. 

In order to meet the goals of the program, one of the educator’s primary challenges is to provide opportunities to foster and improve the students’ critical thinking skills. This task falls not just to didactic course directors, but even more importantly to clinical instructors who are most likely to have more occasions to reinforce theoretical concepts and apply what has been learned in the classroom to actuality. 

The attainment of the program’s goals necessitates background knowledge and skills in a variety of curriculum areas but just as importantly, the addition of knowledge of the latest scientific advancements and innovations in dental hygiene practice and health care systems. This essential information on the latest scientific advancements is provided by faculty in the classroom, laboratory, clinic, and community projects, but training for student involvement both while in the educational process and later as a professional is provided by requiring active participation by the students in the attainment of information (i.e., library assignments, reading updated texts, individual research assignments, sharing of information by peer presentations, etc.). 

The goals are a living document sensitive to the changing needs of the profession. Each year, usually in late summer, the goals are reviewed, evaluated, and revised as necessary by the faculty during a faculty meeting established for that purpose. The meeting is mandatory for faculty affiliated with and/or holding a teaching appointment in the DH program. 

The mission of the Dental Hygiene Program is to improve the health of Oklahomans and shape the future of dentistry by developing highly qualified dental hygienists through excellence in education, patient care, research, community service, faculty, and facilities.

GOAL #1: EDUCATION

Comprehensively prepare students, through appropriate academic and clinical education, to be qualified dental hygiene professionals.

1.1 Recruit students of the highest quality who can reasonably be predicted to successfully complete the educational programs of the College within specified time frames.

1.2 Provide appropriate didactic and clinical instruction through an interactive, competency-based curriculum that is reviewed regularly through an outcomes assessment process and modified as necessary to address the dynamics of a constantly changing profession.

1.3 Provide didactic and clinical instruction in a diverse positive learning environment that leads to social and ethical development along with technical competency and practice management skills.

1.4 Prepare students to integrate critical thinking, evidence-based dental hygiene, and life-long learning throughout their dental hygiene careers.

1.5 Integrate biomedical and clinical sciences throughout the curriculum.

1.6 Incorporate intraprofessional and interprofessional education and practice into the curriculum.

GOAL #2: PATIENT CARE

Provide appropriately supervised dental hygiene treatment of the highest quality.

2.1 Provide high quality efficient comprehensive patient-centered care in a humanistic environment throughout the clinical education programs as an integral component of the College's teaching and service missions.

2.2 Develop and implement a quality assurance program based on measurable criteria that facilitate reliable and valid assessment.

2.3 Teach the necessity of professional ethics and responsibility in the delivery of patient care.

GOAL #3: RESEARCH and SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY

Create a positive and rewarding academic environment that facilitates research and scholarly activity by both students and faculty.

3.1 Provide faculty with sufficient time, guidance and resources to engage in productive research and other scholarly activities.

3.2 Integrate research with the educational mission of the College by providing students with opportunities for direct experience in meaningful research activities under faculty mentorship.

3.3 Create a culture in which achievements in research and scholarly activity by both faculty and students are recognized and rewarded. 

GOAL #4: COMMUNITY SERVICE

Foster opportunities for involvement in service activities that are consistent with the dental hygienist’s responsibility to promote oral health care as an integral component of the overall health and welfare of the community.

4.1 Promote participation in community and professional organizations by students, faculty and staff. 

4.2 Identify new, and strengthen existing, relationships between the College's academic programs and the public. 

4.3 Encourage student and faculty participation in and support of professional service organizations that promote the service mission of the College and the dental profession. 

4.4 Promote programs, clinical experiences, and community service activities that emphasize an interdisciplinary approach and expand their clinical and cultural experiences.  

GOAL #5: FACULTY

Provide students with highly qualified faculty and provide faculty with an environment that facilitates personal and professional growth.

5.1 Recruit and retain highly qualified faculty with the requisite education, knowledge, clinical skills, and motivation to facilitate student achievement of the College's didactic and clinical goals.

5.2 Provide a total compensation package and an environment that are competitive with peer institutions.

5.3 Provide opportunities for faculty development, leadership, and service within and outside the institution.

GOAL #6: FACILITIES

Provide a state-of-the-art educational environment.

6.1 Incorporate relevant innovations in information technology and management as an integral facet of the College's goals in the areas of teaching, patient care, research, and service.

6.2 Expose students to advanced dental technology and equipment to best prepare them for practice.

6.3 Initiate an ongoing program for facility maintenance and improvement.

• • • Respect the confidentiality and privacy of data.
    • Seek opportunities to advance dental hygiene knowledge through research by providing financial, human, and technical resources whenever possible.
    • Report research results in a timely manner.
    • Report research findings completely and honestly, drawing only those conclusions that are supported by the data presented.
    • Report the names of investigators fairly and accurately.
    • Interpret the research and the research of others accurately and objectively, drawing conclusions that are supported by the data presented and seeking clarity when uncertain.
    • Critically evaluate research methods and results before applying new theory and technology in practice.
    • Be knowledgeable concerning currently accepted preventive and therapeutic methods, products, and technology and their application to our practice.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE ENTRY LEVEL DENTAL HYGIENIST

Competence: That level of skills, knowledge, and values required by new graduates to begin the practice of dental hygiene.

CORE COMPETENCIES (C):  Reflect the ethics, values, skills, and knowledge integral to all aspects of dental hygiene practice.

The graduate will be able to:

Core Competencies (C)

C.1 Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors.

C.2 Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of

oral health care.

C.3 Use critical thinking skills and comprehensive problem-solving to identify oral health care

strategies that promote patient health and wellness.

C.4 Use evidence-based decision making to evaluate emerging technology and treatment

modalities to integrate into patient dental hygiene care plans to achieve high-quality,

cost-effective care.

C.5 Assume responsibility for professional actions and care based on accepted scientific

theories, research, and the accepted standard of care.

C.6 Continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth.

C.7 Integrate accepted scientific theories and research into educational, preventive, and

therapeutic oral health services.

C.8 Promote the values of the dental hygiene profession through service-based activities,

positive community affiliations, and active involvement in local organizations.

C.9 Apply quality assurance mechanisms to ensure continuous commitment to accepted

standards of care.

C.10 Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, serving all persons without

discrimination by acknowledging and appreciating diversity.

C.11 Record accurate, consistent, and complete documentation of oral health services

provided.

C.12 Initiate a collaborative approach with all patients when developing individualized care plans that are specialized, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and acceptable to all

parties involved in care planning.

C.13 Initiate consultations and collaborations with all relevant health care providers to

facilitate optimal treatments.

C.14 Manage medical emergencies by using professional judgment, providing life support,

and utilizing required CPR and any specialized training or knowledge.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HP)

HP.1 Promote positive values of overall health and wellness to the public and organizations

within and outside the profession.

HP.2 Respect the goals, values, beliefs, and preferences of all patients.

HP.3 Refer patients who may have physiological, psychological, or social problems for

comprehensive evaluation.

HP.4 Identify individual and population risk factors, and develop strategies that promote

health-related quality of life.

HP.5 Evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention or

health maintenance strategies.

HP.6 Utilize methods that ensure the health and safety of the patient and the oral health

professional in the delivery of care.

Community Involvement (CM)

CM.1 Assess the oral health needs and services of the community to determine action plans

and availability of resources to meet the health care needs.

CM.2 Provide screening, referral, and educational services that allow patients to access the

resources of the health care system.

CM.3 Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings.

CM.4 Facilitate patient access to oral health services by influencing individuals or

organizations for the provision of oral health care.

CM.5 Evaluate reimbursement mechanisms and their impact on the patient’s access to oral

health care.

CM.6 Evaluate the outcomes of community-based programs, and plan for future activities.

CM.7 Advocate for effective oral health care for underserved populations.

Patient Care (PC)

Assessment

PC.1 Systematically collect, analyze, and record diagnostic data on the general, oral, and

psychosocial health status of a variety of patients using methods consistent with

medicolegal principles.

PC.2 Recognize predisposing and etiologic risk factors that require intervention to prevent

disease.

PC.3 Recognize the relationships among systemic disease, medications, and oral health that

impact overall patient care and treatment outcomes.

PC.4 Identify patients at risk for a medical emergency, and manage the patient care in a

manner that prevents an emergency.

Dental Hygiene Diagnosis

PC.5 Use patient assessment data, diagnostic technologies, and critical decision making skills

to determine a dental hygiene diagnosis, a component of the dental diagnosis, to reach

conclusions about the patient’s dental hygiene care needs.

Planning

PC.6 Utilize reflective judgment in developing a comprehensive patient dental hygiene care

plan.

PC.7 Collaborate with the patient and other health professionals as indicated to formulate a

comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient-centered and based on the best scientific evidence and professional judgment.

PC.8 Make referrals to professional colleagues and other health care professionals as

indicated in the patient care plan.

PC.9 Obtain the patient’s informed consent based on a thorough case presentation.

Implementation

PC.10 Provide specialized treatment that includes educational, preventive, and therapeutic

services designed to achieve and maintain oral health. Partner with the patient in

achieving oral health goals.

Evaluation

PC.11 Evaluate the effectiveness of the provided services, and modify care plans as needed.

PC.12 Determine the outcomes of dental hygiene interventions using indices, instruments,

examination techniques, and patient self-reports as specified in patient goals.

PC.13 Compare actual outcomes to expected outcomes, reevaluating goals, diagnoses, and

services when expected outcomes are not achieved.

Professional Growth and Development (PGD)

PGD.1 Pursue career opportunities within health care, industry, education, research, and other

roles as they evolve for the dental hygienist.

PGD.2 Develop practice management and marketing strategies to be used in the delivery of oral PGD.3 Access professional and social networks to pursue professional goals.

Adopted by Faculty June 16, 2014

Weather conditions have varying impact on regions of the state and occasionally one or more sites may be OFFICIALLY closed. It is the studen’t responsibility to determine whether his/her campus is officially clossed, altered hours of operation, or will meet for classes or clinics even if other sites are closed. All students should:

Verify whether your site is officially closed (see below). 

Check email and D2L sites for information from specfic course directors regarding classes. 

Coures directors may choose to hold class for students whose sites are open and post a recording, cancel class, alter hours, or post an assignment. 

If your site is open and others are closed, confirm whether clinic will be held at your site even if classes are cancelled. 

Official closing notification:

HSC: Check the OUHSC website at ouhsc.edu for a weather announcement posted on the home page. You can additionally call the Weather Line at 405-271-6499.

TCTC: If the College closes or cancels classes due to weather conditions, Ms. Snyder will call the class presidents and email TCTC students. If TCTC is open, clinic may be held even if other sites are closed; students will be notified. 

SOTC: Students will be notified of closures or delays by text, phone call, and/or email. If SOTC is open, clinic may be held even if other sites are closed; students will be notified. 

WTC: Students will be notified of closures or delays by text, phone call, and/or email. WTC may hold clinic if the Weatherford campus is open, even if OU or the main campus in Burns Flat is closed; students will be notified. 

Our greatest concern is for safety; therefore, each individual should use his or her best judgement as to whether it is safe to travel based upon individual circumstances that exist. We expect that all concerned are responsible and professiional and that they will be cognizant of the problems that may ensue due to an absence. Therefore, if class, clinic, and/or rotation is being held as scheduled, but you feel that it is not safe for you to travel, you MUST communicate to the following:

DENTAL HYGIENE BOARD EXAMS

*Instructions will be provided by program director. 

NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL HYGIENE EXAM (NBDHE)

211 East Chicago Ave 
Chicago, IL 60611-2678 
www.ADA.org
800-232-1694

Date: Test date must be scheduled online through NBDHE. Exam must be taken during the scheduled OUCOD Spring Break and cannot interfere with any class or clinic sessions. 

Application process online, after January 1

Requires 2 passport photos

CDCA-WREB-CITA

Phone: 301.563.3300 | Fax: 301.563.3307
Mailing Address: 1304 Concourse Drive, Suite 100 Linthicum, MD 21090

https://adextesting.org/

Application process online after January 1 
Requires 2 passport photos
Results available usually 2-3 weeks

OKLAHOMA LICENSURE 

OKLAHOMA BOARD OF DENTISTRY

2920 N. Lincoln Blvd., Ste B

OKC, OK 73105

(405) 522-4844

https://www.ok.gov/dentistry/  

Requirements:

• Jurisprudence exam
• Physical exam
• Passport photo
• Notarized application

DENTAL HYGIENE CLASS OFFICERS

ELECTION AND DUTIES

TERM OF OFFICE

• Student Officers will be elected fall semester junior year and will continue these elected positions through the senior year. 

ELECTION PROCESS

• The faculty advisor at each site will collect nominations, call, and preside over a class meeting for the purpose of electing officers. 
• Candidates for each office will be given two minutes to speak to their colleagues.
• Students will vote by secret ballot. 
• Votes will be counted by the site faculty advisor.

CLASS OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTIONS/DUTIES

PRESIDENT will:  1 AT EACH SITE

• Call and preside over meetings of the Site Class.
• Assume responsibility for representing the Site Class and act as spokesperson for the Site Class when indicated.
• Act as liaison between Dental Hygiene Program Director, Site Coordinators, and the Class.
• Be responsible for informing DH Program Director of Class activities, events, and functions. 
• Coordinate functions and schedule locations of events for the Class with the Dental Hygiene Program, Dean’s Office, and various COD departments as necessary.
• Attend DHII Graduation and serve as DHI student marshals (May).
• Attend DHI Summer Orientation to welcome the new DHI Class (June).
• Attend White Coat Ceremony and serve as DHII student marshals (August).
• Serve as member of the Class Executive Council.
• Serve on DH Advisory Committee. 
• Write a site commencement address.
• Currently hold and maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average.
• Must not have any Professional Concern Reports on record; receiving a Professional Concerns Report will result in a meeting with the program director and possible removal from officer position.
• Must not have any unexcused absences; any unexcused absence will result in a meeting with the program director and possible removal from officer position.  

VICE-PRESIDENT will: 1 AT EACH SITE

• Assume duties of the President in case of absence.
• Assist the President in organization of class functions.
• Carry out other duties assigned by the President.
• Serve as member of the Class Executive Council.
• Currently hold and maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average.
• Must not have any Professional Concern Reports on record; receiving a Professional Concerns Report will result in a meeting with the program director and possible removal from officer position.
• Must not have any unexcused absences; any unexcused absence will result in a meeting with the program director and possible removal from officer position.  

SECRETARY/ TREASURER will: 1 AT EACH SITE

• Collect and deposit individual site class funds.
• Maintain an accounting system for individual class funds.
• Work with COD Accounting Department to monitor class funds derived from the Student Activity Fee.
• Record minutes from class meetings.
• Serve as member of the Class Executive Council.
• Currently hold and maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average.
• Must not have any Professional Concern Reports on record; receiving a Professional Concerns Report will result in a meeting with the program director and possible removal from officer position.
• Must not have any unexcused absences; any unexcused absence will result in a meeting with the program director and possible removal from officer position.  

Failure to perform any of the officer duties will result in removal from officer position.

DH Class Executive Council will consist of:

• Site Presidents
• Site Vice Presidents
• Site  Secretary/Treasurer

Duties:

• Plan and coordinate class activities, events, and social functions (in collaboration with DHI and DHII Executive Councils from individual sites or jointly with all sites if indicated).
• Delegate class members to arrange facility, time, invitations, food, beverages, and clean up. 

DH I Student Council Representatives (2): Must be OKC site students as meetings occur at COD

Represent the DH I Class from all sites on the Student Council (STUCO).

• Attend monthly STUCO meetings.
• Volunteer as appropriate in activities organized by STUCO.
• Keep classmates informed about the activities of STUCO and promote participation in its activities. 

Staples Society Representative (2): Must be OKC site students as meetings occur at COD

• Attend and participate in Staples Society meetings.
• Participate as appropriate in the various activities and fundraisers of the Society.
• Keep classmates informed about activities of the Society and promote participation in Society activities. 

Yearbook Committee (1) at each site

• Responsible for collecting pictures and other information about the class for publication in the yearbook. 
• Coordinate items, photos, etc. from class to be included in the COD yearbook.

SADHA OFFICERS:

TERM OF OFFICE

• SADHA Student Officers will be elected fall semester junior year and will continue these elected positions through the senior year.

ELECTION PROCESS

• The faculty advisor at each site will collect nominations, call, and preside over a class meeting for the purpose of electing officers. 
• Candidates for each office will be given two minutes to speak to their colleagues.
• Students will vote by secret ballot. 
• Votes will be counted by the site faculty advisor.

CLASS OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTIONS/DUTIES

• See SADHA Bylaws & Constitution

CLINICAL REMEDIATION PROTOCOL

If student scores less than 75% on clinical competencies, the student must self-assess errors and undergo remediation with the assigned faculty mentor.  The student must retake the competency until a score of 75% is achieved.  The initial grade will stand.

When remediation is necessary student must fill out the Patient Care/Competency Remediation Agreement Form and the Remediation Self-Assessment Worksheet and turn in both to their assigned faculty mentor. 

MENTORING

Faculty Role

Provide students with guidance in:

*Professional development
*Academic and clinical concerns (Ex: monitoring of grades and clinical skills/tracking progress)
*Ethical issues

Students Role

*Maintain regular communication with his or her assigned Faculty Advisor
*Preparing in advance for Faculty Advisor/Mentor Meetings by:

• setting daily and weekly goals for program progression            
• assessing attainment of goals
• identifying challenges to achieving goals
• monitoring grades and clinical tracking

Goals of Meetings

*Attain and maintain regular communication between students and faculty 

*Provide guidance in areas of clinical skills, or those needing attention or development (refer to clinical evaluation forms “A” or “N”)

*Provide remediation as stated in the Clinical Remediation Protocol

Meeting requirements

*Students will be assigned a Faculty Advisor/Mentor

*Mandatory meetings will be scheduled by the student twice per semester

*Meeting length will average 30 minutes-1 hour depending on need

*Advisors/Mentors will advise Clinic Coordinator and/or Program Director of any deficiencies or concerns noted in meeting

NOTE: Email will not be utilized for the mentoring session.

All information pertaining to clinic (including specific rotation information) can be found in the associated clinic course on D2L.

DH1 and DH2 Clinical Evaluation Criteria

 

The DH1 and DH2 Clinical Evaluation Criteria documents are utilized to measure clinical performance when providing patient care. The established criteria categorize the student performance utilizing a C (Competent), A (Needs Attention), and N (Needs Development).  For those students receiving a determined number of Ns in the same category, remediation is required with the assigned clinic faculty member and may occur in the clinic session where the error occurred. Those students will also receive a point deduction in their overall course grade. 

 

DH1s –       

1 A in any category = .5 point deduction from the final course grade

1 N in any category = Remediation with assigned clinic faculty member/1 point overall                     grade deduction

3 N’s in the same category = Clinical Skills Report or Professional Concerns Report completed and signed by the faculty and student in addition to the point deduction

 4 N’s in the same category= Clinical remediation provided during patient care. This experience will not count toward clinic requirements, however, any A’s or N’s earned will be deducted from the final course grade.

 

DH2s – 

 FALL:         

1 A in any category = .5 point deduction from the final course grade

1 N in any category = Remediation with assigned clinic faculty member/1 point overall grade deduction

3 N’s in the same category = Clinical Skills Report or Professional Concerns Report completed and signed by the faculty and student in addition to the point deduction

4 N’s in the same category= Clinical remediation provided during patient care. This experience will not count toward clinic requirements, however, any A’s or N’s earned will be deducted from the final course grade.

SPRING:    

1 A in same category = .5 point deduction from the final course grade

1 N in any category = Remediation with assigned clinic faculty member/1 point overall grade deduction

3 N’s in the same category = Clinical Skills Report or Professional Concerns Report completed and signed by the faculty and student in addition to the point deduction

4 N’s in the same category= Clinical remediation provided during patient care. This experience will not count toward clinic requirements, however, any A’s or N’s earned will be deducted from the final course grade.

Cell phone use is strictly prohibited in clinic. Cell phone use for special circumstances is only allowed if faculty permission is given. Failure to comply will result in a “N” in Professionalism for Protocol Adherence.