Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106900

Paul Glassman, DDS, MA, MBA, Associate Dean, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, 2155 Webster St., San Francisco, CA 94115, 415 929-6490, pglassman@pacific.edu and Christine Miller, RDH, MA, School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 2155 Webster Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.

This presentation describes the development and presentation of a distance education program at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry which satisfies the California educational requirement to obtain a license as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice. This license allows hygienists to practice without dentist supervision in numerous settings with underserved populations. A 150 hour curriculum was developed which included 20 hours of in-person instruction and 120 hours of distance education instruction. 38 dental hygienists enrolled in the program in 2004. The distance education portion of the program involved educational modules, on-line learning group exercises, case presentations and on-line discussion groups. These on-line experiences were supplemented with field experiences, in-person hands on instruction and an person final examination. All of the program enrollees completed the program. The post-program evaluations were very complementary of the program style and content. Students valued the ability to complete the program while engaged in full time work at scattered locations throughout California. They felt that the learning groups and on-line discussions enabled them to develop a sense of community. The module presentation style was felt to be very personal and simulated live instruction. Conclusions: This on-line education program was very successful at providing dental hygienists with the ability to serve complicated underserved populations. On-line education has the potential to be used to a greater degree in dental education to expand care for these populations.

Learning Objectives:

• recognize how education can improve workforce dedicated to special populations
• describe an on-line education program to prepare oral health professionals to treat people with special needs
• describe the process of developing and presenting a distance education program

Keywords: Special Needs, Distance Education

Related Web page: www.pacificspecialcare.org/ed_program_spneeds.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.