Program Accreditation
The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a national Commission that is responsible for the professional accreditation of dental schools, dental hygiene programs, and other programs related to dentistry. Oregon Tech's Dental Hygiene Program's accreditation status is "approval without reporting requirements" which means it meets all of the "Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Programs".
Program Purpose and Mission Statement
The Oregon Institute of Technology Dental Hygiene Program provides a humanistic learning environment that fosters student and graduate success through respect and professionalism, and by encouraging innovation and critical thinking. Its mission is to prepare students to become healthcare professionals who serve diverse populations in multiple roles including leadership, clinical and public health, research, education, and entrepreneurship. Oregon Tech Dental Hygiene graduates gain experience with project-based learning, community service, applied research emphasizing evidence-based practices, and are empowered to become life-long learners.
Program Educational Objectives
- Provide the dental hygiene student the opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to enter the registered practice of dental hygiene.
- Prepare the student to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
- Prepare the student to take the clinical board examinations in dental hygiene, anesthesia, and restorative functions.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in:
- Interprofessional Collaboration/Communication: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in communicating, collaborating, and interacting with other members of the health care team to support comprehensive patient care.
- Critical Thinking: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in critical thinking and problem solving related to comprehensive care and management of patients.
- Professionalism, Ethical Practice: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in the application of ethical reasoning, legal, and regulatory concepts in the provision of care.
- Lifelong Learning: The dental hygiene graduate will demonstrate competent knowledge and self-assessment skills necessary for life-long learning.
- Provision of Oral Health Care: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care for a wide range of patient profiles and all classifications of periodontal diseases.
- Community Health: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating community based oral health programs.
- Disease Prevention: The dental hygiene graduate will evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention and/or health maintenance strategies.
- Evaluating Research: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in evaluating current scientific literature to incorporate evidence-based decisions into dental hygiene practice.
Summary of Program Student Learning Outcomes
The Dental Hygiene faculty formally assess the student learning outcome summarized in the annual program assessment report. Additional details can be found in department assessment records.
Program Curriculum Map
The curriculum map for the Dental Hygiene program can be found on the catalog web page on the Oregon Tech Website, www.oit.edu/catalog.
