Orientation

The University of Michigan Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Online Program is completely online. However, all students are required to attend the School of Dentistry Graduate Student and Dental Hygiene Graduate Student orientation. This three day program will occur in July and students will be notified as soon as the date is confirmed.

At orientation, students will have the opportunity to meet their online classmates, students enrolled in other School of Dentistry Graduate Programs, and faculty members. Meeting colleagues is an important part of developing your learning community. Tours of campus, meetings with support personnel from the library, writing center, information technology and delivery of computers are only a few of the activities that occur during orientation.

Students are not required to attend any other events, meetings, or activities on campus. While attendance at graduation is NOT required, students are encouraged to participate in commencement activities.

Faculty

Anne Gwozdek, RDH, BA, MA
E-Learning Program Director & Clinical Assistant Professor

A clinician since my graduation from the University of Michigan’s (U-M) Dental Hygiene Program in 1973, I have taken the term “life-long learning” literally. I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Public Relations in 1992 from Madonna University and have served as editor of the Bulletin of the Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association (MDHA), editorial assistant for Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, and contributor to other professional books and publications. I began my transition to education in 2001 as a clinical instructor at U-M and completed a Master’s degree in Educational Media & Technology from Eastern Michigan University in 2007. I served as project lead in the development of the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion E-Learning (online) Program and am currently Director of Degree Completion Programs.  I have served in leadership positions within the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Dental Education Association. My research interests involve education with a focus on learning technologies and program evaluation.

Wendy Kerschbaum, RDH, MA, MPH
Associate Professor

I did both my undergraduate and graduate education at U-M.  My career in academics began as a part-time clinical instructor and has evolved to being the director of dental hygiene.  Over the years I have taught many courses, including Research Methods, Prevention, Gerotonlogical Dental Hygiene, and Preclinic.  I currently teach Oral Anatomy, Head and Neck Anatomy, Nutrition, Pain Control, and clinic.  One day a week I provide dental hygiene care to patients in our faculty practice which keeps me grounded.  During my career I have been active in the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the American Association of Dental Education (ADEA).  I served on the ADHA curriculum task force for the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner.  My research interests focus on education and oral care for older adults.

L. Susan Taichman, RDH, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor

I graduated with an AAS degree in 1986 from Lansing Community College.  For the next eight years I worked as a clinical dental hygienist.  I earned my BS in Dental Hygiene in 1995 through the Degree Completion Program at University of Michigan. As I wanted to conduct research, I continued on at U-M earning my MS in Dental Hygiene Education, a MPH in Public Health Dentistry, and PhD in Epidemiologic Science. My research interests include health services research, oral health disparities and women’s oral health. I have experience with survey research, clinical research, as well as secondary analyses of complex survey data. Current projects include evaluating the impact of lactation on oral health and exogenous progestin hormone use and periodontal health.

Carrie Bigelow-Ghaname, RDH, MS
Adjunct Clinical Lecturer

I graduated with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene in 1999 from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Since graduation, I have practiced in Texas, Switzerland, Maine, Hong Kong, North Carolina and most recently, Michigan.  In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina with my Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene Education.  My current interests lie in oral cancer prevention and early detection, online education, mentoring, and the development of the ADHP.  In addition to private practice, I am an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan, and the University of British Columbia teaching in both of the schools’ online degree completion programs.  I also serve as a member of ADHA’s Council on Public Relations.

Kathy Yee, RDH, BSDH
Adjunct Clinical Lecturer

I was a member of the E-Learning 2009 graduating class, the first graduating class of this program.  In addition to practicing in Livonia and teaching in the E-Learning Program, I am an adjunct clinical instructor in Oakland Community College's (OCC) Dental Hygiene Program.  Since graduating with my associate’s degree in dental hygiene from OCC in 1996, I have been an active member of the Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association (MDHA) and the Oakland component.  Currently I serve as MDHA's student liaison.  Community has always been a keen interest of mine.  I am in the process of obtaining Masters of Community Oral Health through the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. 

Christine Farrell, RDH, BSDH, MPA
Adjunct Clinical Lecturer

I am a 1981 graduate of the University of Michigan (U-M) Dental Hygiene Program.  In 2006 I earned a Masters of Public Administration from U-M Flint.  Currently, I am the Michigan Department of Community Health Oral Health Director.  As Oral Health Director, I am responsible for an array of statewide oral health care and education programs. Prior to this appointment, I have served as a policy specialist in the Medicaid program for 22 years.  Active in local, state, and national levels of dental hygiene I was president of the Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association, national chair of the Medicaid/State Child Health Improvement Program, and am presently serving on the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) Council of Public Health.

For more information contact: Karen Ridley, RDH, MS Graduate Program Director
E-mail kjr@umich.edu, Phone 734-763-3369