Graduate Program
Director: Karen Ridley, RDH, MS
Overview
"Across the United States, graduate education seeks to develop, strengthen, and diversify the professoriate. Graduate education opens opportunities for highly talented and motivated individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds who have varied perspectives that contribute fresh approaches to complex research problems and bring new expertise into the classroom. The programs and departments of the Rackham Graduate School produce outstanding individuals of accomplishment and integrity from many backgrounds who become leaders in research, teaching, the arts, and professional fields."
Since its conception, the purpose of graduate education at the University of Michigan has been "to advance the value of graduate education in meeting society's needs." The graduate dental hygiene program at the University of Michigan seeks to provide its students with an educational experience reflective of the mission of the University. In addition, the program goals reflect both the mission and vision statements of the School of Dentistry to educate oral health professionals and researchers; conduct research in basic, behavioral and clinical sciences; and to serve the University, profession, and the community. Graduate programs at the School of Dentistry are nationally recognized for training that "couples science and advances clinical practice". The graduate program's aim is to provide students with outstanding research skills through excellent mentorship and exposure to modern technology and research methods which motivate students to focus on evidence based practice and oral health science.
The dental hygiene program is committed to excellence in the undergraduate dental hygiene program, but also to development of a nationally recognized advanced dental hygiene education program. The graduate dental hygiene education program aims to provide graduates with solid preparation and experiences in clinical research, making the University of Michigan one of the foremost programs for dental hygiene clinical research.
The second goal of the dental hygiene graduate program is to develop competent dental hygiene educators. The American Dental and Dental Hygienists' Association and the America Dental Education Association recognize the need to develop a cadre of educators prepared in cutting edge procedures and philosophies, to embrace advanced technology and practice modalities. Forty years ago in 1964 the University of Michigan, recognizing the increasing need for dental hygiene educators, became the second dental hygiene program to offer the MSDH degree. Today, with an increase in the number of dental hygiene programs, the simultaneous retirement of faculty, and the anticipated expansion of the role of the dental hygienist, there remains a growing need for well prepared dental hygiene faculty. This program continues to be a leader in the preparation of dental hygiene educators.
Summary
As "the Rackham community is engaged in the creation of new knowledge, new discoveries and. perhaps more important, in the formation of our future leaders", the graduate program in dental hygiene must engage in teaching, research and preparation of future leaders in dental hygiene. Anticipated changes in the role of the dental hygienist, the emphasis on health care disparities, and changes in the health care model will require Master's prepared dental hygienists to teach, provide, manage and lead. The University of Michigan has the faculty, facilities, and curriculum options available to prepare dental hygienists for the future. As one of the first graduate dental hygiene programs in the country, it would seem appropriate that we step up and assume the challenge of preparing the next generation of graduate dental hygienists. The dental hygiene faculty are excited about the future of dental hygiene and the opportunity to again be at the forefront of dental hygiene education.
Contact Info
For more information, please contact the Graduate Program Director:
Karen Ridley, RDH, MS
E-mail kjr@umich.edu
Phone 734-763-3369