Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
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Dental HygieneBaccalaureate
Program Mission Statement
The Dental Hygiene Department’s mission is to shape the future of dentistry by graduating highly qualified dental hygienists with the knowledge, skills, and values for lifelong learning through excellence in education, faculty, patient care, research, community service, public health, and facilities.
Program Philosophy
The WCU Dental Hygiene Program is dedicated to fostering a humanistic culture and a student-centered learning environment that prioritizes the holistic development of every individual. Our commitment is reflected in our continuous efforts to regularly evaluate and enhance our evidence-based practices, ensuring our program remains responsive to the evolving needs of our students and community. The program promotes open-communication, collaboration, empathy, mutual respect, professional and ethical behavior, inclusivity, leadership and scholarship opportunities, and harmonious relationships among administrators, faculty, students, staff, and alumni.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program and as required for licensure, the competent entry-level dental hygienist will be able to:
Learning Outcome
Utilize scientific knowledge to evaluate research and use evidence-based strategies in clinical care, ensuring informed, high-quality decision-making that enhances patient outcomes.
Learning Outcome
Apply community-based public health strategies to promote health, prevent disease and reduce oral health disparities.
Learning Outcome
Implement communication skills to strengthen interprofessional collaboration and engage diverse patient populations in a culturally competent manner.
Learning Outcome
Provide comprehensive patient-centered care to promote oral health across the life span utilizing evidence-based dental hygiene care and collaborative, patient-centered decision-making.
Learning Outcome
Exhibit professionalism in dental hygiene practice to uphold legal and ethical standards, ensure responsible patient-centered care, and maintain intra-professional collaboration.
Learning Outcome
Explain the value of lifelong learning to enhance professional growth, engage in reflective practice, advance clinical expertise, and serve as an advocate for the advancement of oral health.