Making Change a Reality
I
recently attended the American Dental Education Association Allied
Dental Program Director’s Conference. The keynote address, “Making
Change a Reality”, revolved around concepts of maintaining viability,
exhilaration and momentum while thinking about evidence-based practice,
critical thinking skills instruction, and participation in the global
community. The take home message for those in attendance was that we
must adopt a “change is constant” modus operandi.
I am also
proud to share that I celebrated my 25th year dental hygiene graduation
reunion from the University of Detroit this year. At the luncheon that
was held in honor of this, I provided a “Then and Now” presentation for
my fellow classmates. It was fun to reminisce about the
changes that have taken place over the past 25 years. At Alumni Day I
also had the opportunity to speak with
and , DH Class of 1957, who recalled many aspects of their
educational experiences. As I listened to the keynote speaker at
my conference I reflected on some of the many changes that have taken
place over the past 50 years. The merger of the University of Detroit
and Mercy College, three (soon to be four) different dental clinic
facilities, infection control practice, clinical attire changing from
white starched uniforms with polished white clinic shoes to street
clothes and professional shoes to scrubs and labcoats with “crocks”,
differences in the scope and depth of the curriculum, technology,
instruments and equipment, teaching and learning methods, the use of
slide carousels and slides to pen drives and Power Point presentations,
bench lab instruction on typodonts to a simulation lab with simulators,
evaluation of knowledge and skills by way of pencil and paper to
clinical competency examinations and the Objective Structured Clinical
Examination (OSCE), online quizzes and remote control electronic in
class quizzes, and finally, mandated student purchase of Tablet PCs. I
would say this describes a “change is constant” modus operandi.
The
focus of dental and dental hygiene education now is to investigate and
implement new educational models to meet changing oral health, student
and workforce needs. Some of these models involve technological
advances allowing collaboration with distance education sites and
teledentistry. A shared vision to cultivate partnerships resulting in
the creation of mechanisms to increase cultural competency and access
to oral health care is also needed. Our program is prepared to
implement the changes required to address these needs. As we move to
our new location we also hope to expand community outreach programs to
broaden not only the clinical experiences of students but to also
sensitize students to the ever changing needs of the diverse population
we provide services for. We intend to make these changes based on
evidence-based practice with the incorporation of independent, critical
thinking skills.
Change in the University of Detroit Mercy Dental Hygiene Program is truly a reality- always has been and always will be…
Kathi R. Shepherd
August 27, 2007
