Halifax Community College. Program Review Summary Report

Transcription

1 Halifax Community College Program Review Summary Report Program Name: Program Head: Academic Year: Dental Hygiene D. J. Markham I.Program Purpose/Objectives 1. State the purpose and objectives of the program and methods of assessment. Include any documentation that you use in assessment. Purpose: The purpose of The Halifax Community College Dental Hygiene Program is to facilitate the development of professional, ethical, and competent dental hygienists who are aware of their present and future roles and responsibilities within the profession and the community served, demonstrate the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide comprehensive care to patients, and are committed to lifelong learning and professional development. Goal 1: Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will be prepared to demonstrate a sound grasp of basic skills and knowledge in basic sciences, dental sciences, dental hygiene sciences, and general education courses to provide quality dental hygiene care to the area public Objective 1: Provide Dental Hygiene students with education in academic and current dental procedures and practices Objective 2: Educate and protect students in contamination safety procedures Goal 2: Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will be able to demonstrate technically proficient in dental hygiene technical skills at a level to provide quality care for the area public. Objective 1: Provide students with education in current dental equipment and technical use Objective 2: Provide Safe Environment for Faculty, Students, and Patients in the Dental Hygiene Clinic. Goal 3: Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will be employed in the dental hygiene field. Methods of assessment: Goal 1: 100% of the Dental Hygiene students will demonstrate competency in all course curriculum with a semester end pass rate of 77% or above Result: Did not meet. Only 83% of students were successful at 77% or above on all course work. Measured by review of course grades Goal 2: 85% of the Dental Hygiene Program graduates taking the Dental Hygiene National Board will pass the board on the first attempt Results: Met. Measured by results of National Board Exam scores Goal 3: Licensed Dental Hygiene Graduates will obtain employment in the dental Hygiene field within 6 months of graduation. Results: Met. Measured by Graduate survey 1

2 2. How well is the program accomplishing its objectives? What improvements have taken place if the program did not meet its objectives. Many objectives have been met. Changes in course, development, presentation, and review have resulted in a steady increase in the pass rate on National Board Exams. These included course review/ remediation, a required Dental Hygiene review course, a required mock board exam of 350 questions prior to taking the National exam; and mock preparations for the Regional/State Practical Exam. Additionally, ACA 111 has been replaced by ACA 118 as a requirement for all dental hygiene students to improve critical thinking, test-taking, and study skills. 3. List the accreditations or certifications by a state, regional, or national organization, if any, and the date of the most recent accreditation and the date of the next visiting committee. The HCC Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) meeting the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards with the next site visit scheduled for II. Program Faculty 1. Number of current full-time faculty Number of current part-time faculty Other current personnel and their responsibilities, if applicable. In addition to the program faculty employed is a Clinic Manager. This position includes patient appointment and file maintenance, assigning student clinical requirements and activities, maintenance of supply inventory and all office procedures. 4. Are full-time faculty teaching within the recommended work load as stated in the Administrative Regulations and Procedures Manual? If not, explain. Dental Hygiene faculty are meeting the required number of contact hours for the college. All faculty participate in dental hygiene clinics each week as well as instruct in two to three lecture/lab courses. 5. Has the program faculty changed in the past 5 years? How has the change affected the program? The Dental Hygiene program began in 2003 with two full-time Dental Hygiene instructors, a clinic Dentist and a clinic manager. In 2004 one additional full-time Dental Hygiene instructor was hired and three part-time adjunct dental hygienist as clinic instructors. These additions were needed to meet required student/faculty (6:1) ratios. 2

3 6. Are changes in the program faculty expected within the next 5 years? (e.g., retirement, addition of new positions) If yes, explain., it is possible. We are required by the ADA to reduce the student/faculty ratio to 5:1 in If present adjunct faculties are unable to increase their hours, there will be a need for additional adjunct clinical faculty. 7. List professional development activities in which program faculty have participated during the last 5 years. Mrs. V. High and Mrs. C. Sykes completed the Master in Dental Hygiene Program at Tennessee State University, Memphis, TN in May All Dental Hygiene Faculty are members of their Professional Organization (ADHA, ADA, NCDHEA) and attend monthly meetings, continuing education seminars, and Dental conferences, III. Advisory Committee 1. List the names, positions, and employers of the members of the program s Advisory Committee. DENTAL HYGIENE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Anishwar R. Bhagwandass DDS Maurice Davis, DDS 50 Anna Louise Lane 100 Elm Street Roanoke Rapids, NC Weldon, NC Steve E. Hoffman, DDS, P.A. C. Douglas Peedin, Jr., DDS P.O. Box Professional Dr. Roanoke Rapids, NC Roanoke Rapids, NC Rick Mumford, DDS Jack Mullen, DDS Chief Dental Health, NCDHHR 901 N. Winstead Avenue 2728 Capitol Blvd., MSC 1910 Rocky Mount, NC Raleigh, NC Martina Williams, RDH Ms. Lynn H. Hurley, RDH Libby Keeter RDH NC Public Health Hygienist NC Public Health Hygienist Crenshaw & Haight P.O. Box East Washington Street 137 East South Main St. Norlina, NC Nashville, NC Littleton, NC Terrell Stallings Alice Shenall Local Public Health Adm. I Director of Medical & Dental ED. Halifax Co. Dept. of Public Health Area L AHEC P. O. Box 10 P.O. Drawer 7368 Halifax, NC Rocky Mount, NC

4 2. Dates of Advisory Committee meetings for the last 5 years. February 28, 2003 May 2, 2003 October 3, 2003 May 14, 2004 May 13, 2005 October 21, 2005 May 12, 2006 May 2, 2007 May 9, Are the minutes of the last 5 years of Advisory Committee meetings on file in the Dean of Curriculum Program s office? 4. Using advisory committee minutes, summarize the following: Program s strengths Dedicated and experienced faculty High student retention rate Program s areas for improvement National Dental Hygiene Exam pass rate Inclusion of Dental Assisting exercises Opportunities for growth Our Dental Hygiene program is at student capacity at this time Potential threats to continued viability Capacity of employment in the local area Other 5. Have any actions been taken as a result of advisory committee recommendations? Describe how recommendations have been implemented or justifiably not implemented. An offer of free dental work in the HCC clinic one night per month was initiated by the Area Dental Society. Dentist donated time and supplies to provide dental care to indigent clients and allow the Dental Hygiene Students an opportunity to provide oral hygiene care during that evening session. This program was discontinued due to disinterest of the Area Dentist. Due to encouragement by the advisory committee the HCC program has developed objectives to include experience in four-handed dentistry instrument transfer. This experience has increased the students understanding of dental procedures and increased their value in the private dental practice. 4

5 IV. Curriculum 1. Has the program s curriculum been revised during the last 5 years? Describe. There have been no major changes in the program curriculum. We have developed a mandatory Board Review class during the final semester to assist students with National Exam scores. 2. Are curriculum revisions anticipated in the next 5 years? Describe. Curriculum changes are not anticipated for the next 5 years at this time. However should other Dental Hygiene programs in NC deem revision necessary HCC faculty will be involved. 3. Has the currency of the program been assessed in the past 5 years? (i. e. textbooks, software, technology). Describe. Textbooks are review each year for updates and revisions. All Dental Hygiene classes are made available with web-assistance for student use and timely information updates. V. Facilities 1. Briefly describe the facilities currently used by the program. The Dental Hygiene Program includes a lecture classroom, a dental materials lab, and a sixteen (16) dental unit clinic with seven (7) X-ray rooms, dark room, dispensary, patient education room, conference area, sterilization room, and Reception area. The program is also equipped with a computer lab. Each full-time faculty member is provided a private office. 2. Are existing facilities adequate to meet the instructional demands of the program? If no, explain. YES 3. Does size, access, or availability of facilities limit program growth or modification in any significant way? If yes, explain. Our program is limited in growth by the classroom and clinic capacity and the employment of additional qualified faculty. An increase in student numbers would likely result in difficulty of graduate employment in the area. 4. Should the College anticipate the need to modify or expand existing facilities within the next 5 years? If yes, have plans been discussed and/or developed for modification, expansion, or other changes? Explain. NO 5

6 VI. Equipment 1. Briefly describe instructional equipment, laboratory equipment, etc. currently used by the program. The HCC dental hygiene clinic consists of sixteen (16) dental operatories divided by cabinet walls. Each operatory is equipped with: dental chair, dental light, operators cart, assistants cart, operators stool, computer with screen, and an Ultrasonic Scaling unity. Also housed in the clinic are 20 instructional manikins. There are six (6) Dental Radiographic rooms, each equipped with X-ray machines and a DXTRR Manikin, and one (1) Panoramic Radiographic machine. Clinical supplies are purchased with revenue received for oral hygiene services. The Dental Hygiene Lab is equipped with two (2) Model trimmers, one (1) Lab handpiece, twenty (20) typeodonts, and twelve (12) Lab kits which students share as partners. The classroom is equipped with a laptop computer with internet access and projector, TV with DVD and VCR, and Overhead projector. 2. Do faculty have access to adequate technology for preparation of course materials and instruction? Explain., All faculty have access to up to date text books, and computers with internet technology. 3. Is existing equipment adequate to meet the current instructional demands of the program? If no, explain. 4. Does access or availability to instructional equipment limit program growth or modification in any significant way? If yes, explain. No 5. Should the College anticipate the need to significantly change, upgrade, or purchase new equipment within the next 5 years? If yes, have plans been discussed and/or developed for the purchases? Explain. Our program, clinic and equipment has been in existence for only five years and with proper maintenance should last several more. However, we are in need of a new computer color printer ($1,500) and the server contract ($6,000) has expired. No replacement plans have been made. 6

7 VII. Students 1. Does the program have a cap on the number of students? If yes, explain. There is a limit of eighteen students accepted into the Dental Hygiene program annually due to faculty to student ratio and facility capacity. 2. Are there special admissions requirements for the program? If yes, explain. The HCC Dental Hygiene Admission Policy is as follows: A. Admission for Associate Degree Dental Hygiene Student Students are admitted to the Halifax Community College Dental Hygiene Program in accordance with recommendations by the ACA Accreditation Committee. The College does not guarantee admission to every student who seeks admission. Completion of the dental hygiene curriculum does not guarantee success in passing the licensure exam. A dental hygiene student must be admitted/readmitted to the dental hygiene program in order to take courses for credit in any dental hygiene (DEN) course B. Admission Procedure The dental hygiene applicant will be required to complete steps I IV before admission. Step I Application Process 1. An application for admission to the HCC Dental Hygiene program must be submitted by February 2 nd. 2. Submit records of high school graduation or equivalency and all post-secondary transcripts. (Currently enrolled high school students are to submit a partial transcript at time of application. A final transcript will be submitted at the time of graduation.). 3. Attend an Information Session. A schedule of upcoming Information Session is available on the HCC website. If an applicant currently resides outside of North Carolina and cannot attend one of the scheduled information sessions, he/she must contact the Dental Hygiene Department Head, at (252) to make other arrangements. 4. Take the ASSET Placement Test or equivalent exam (COMPASS, SAT, or Accuplacer) or have taken it within the past year of past 2 years and be enrolled in an accredited post secondary institution. Placement scores must be current at time of entry. Minimum scores required for the Dental Hygiene Program are: a. Writing and reading: score 41 or take ENG 095/A b. Math: score 41 or take MAT 060 c. Elementary Algebra: score 41 or take MAT Evidence of an overall GPA of 2.5 at time of entry. 6. Submit one of the following documents: o A Dental Assisting Experience Documentation form. o A Dental Office Observation form o A Certificate of Current Enrollment in an ADA Accredited Dental Assisting Program form. 7. Copy of Signed Social Security Card. Step II Permit to take Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) 1. Submit scores for the TEAS Admissions Test. This test is given only to those who meet all entry requirements and qualify by February 2. Applicants must meet the minimum score requirements of the TEAS with a composite test score in the 40 th percentile by AND program 7

8 type at a cost of $ The student will be allowed to test twice per year. The highest score will be counted toward admission. These scores will be valid for two years. All students are required to pay a $25.00 test fee. Step III Conditional Admission 1. Should there be more qualified applicants than space available the following criteria will be used to determine those selected for admission: a. TEAS percentage score b. Academic performance points (GPA) c. Total number of science courses in the dental hygiene curriculum with a C or better. d. Currently certified as DA I, DA II or successful completion of allied health curriculum. 2. A letter of conditional admission will be sent to the student. Step IV Acceptance 1. Submission a completed physical examination form. The physical examination can be performed within a time frame of 6 months prior to enrollment for fall semester. 2. The Hepatitis B series must be started or a declination form for Hepatitis B must be signed. 3. Submission of evidence of current CPR certification for health care provider. 4. Overall GPA of Attend mandatory Dental Hygiene Orientation/Registration. 3. Describe changes in enrollment in the last 5 years. (Attach Data Elements Report) Enrollment was originally capped at 16 students with only 14 qualified applicants for the first class. In 2005 the enrollment capacity was raised to 18 due to the increase in qualified students and clinic capacity. 4. If the program s enrollment has declined, identify ways to reverse the trend. Applications for the HCC dental Hygiene program continue to increase each year. 5. Do faculty expect enrollment to grow more than 5% over the next 5 years? If yes, explain. No 6. Based on the current student survey, what are the opinions of students regarding the overall quality of the program? X very satisfied satisfied dissatisfied 8

9 VIII. Graduates 1. Describe how the program s faculty actively assists its graduates with identifying and pursuing employment opportunities. All HCC Dental Hygiene Faculty are members of their professional organization and adjunct faculty are employed in dental practices in the area. Through a professional network employment opportunities are maintained by the clinic manager and posted for student information. Recommendation letters are provided by faculty for all students wishing to obtain them. 2. Based on the Graduate Survey results, describe where the majority of the program s graduates find employment (types of employment, in service area, out of service area). Several of the graduates of the HCC Dental Hygiene Program have obtained employment in the immediate area. However many of our graduates return home (western NC and Virginia) upon graduation which is out of our service area. 3. Does the program s faculty anticipate changes in employment opportunities for graduates? If yes, explain. No 4. Has the program s faculty identified new or emerging trends that may impact (positively or negatively) the ability of its graduates to find employment upon graduation? If yes, explain. The Halifax county area is in need of additional access to dental care. With the initiation of a new NC Dental Program we anticipate additional employment opportunities for our graduates. 5. Are the graduates satisfied with: a) Quality of instruction in program area courses b) Overall quality of academic program (See Data Elements Report) Graduate exit surveys indicate students are satisfied with the educational experience offered at HCC. 9

10 IX. Previous Recommendations and Actions Taken (Not applicable for first review.) X. Other Elements 1. Distance Learning List the courses offered in the last 5 years via distance learning: Online Web Assisted In Spring 2009 semester all Dental Hygiene Courses will be Web assisted North Carolina Information Highway courses Hybrid 2. Evening/Weekend Classes Would the program benefit from offering courses on weekends or as part of a weekend college? If yes, explain. No 3. Program Specific Academic Support for Students List the number of referrals faculty members have made in the last year to promote retention, such as: Early Alert forms submitted to counselor - 8 Learning Assistance Center referrals Student Support Services referrals List any articulation agreements with four-year colleges and universities? None 5. List courses offered in the program as Huskins classes? None 6. Does the program contain a co-op? If not, explain rationale. No. The HCC Dental Hygiene Clinic is on campus and students receive all instruction by faculty there. 10

11 Summarize program strengths. Dental Hygiene is a high-demand, well-paying career with great potential. The HCC s dental hygiene faculty strives to provide the best possible education for our students through comprehensive classroom, clinical, and laboratory experiences. The state of the art, on campus, clinic enables instructors to provide education in many of the most up to date dental hygiene procedures. With improvements and revisions in areas of concern our graduates scored a pass rates of 93% on National and State exams. Graduates have little difficulty in obtaining a position, and employers are pleased with the quality of the program. The dental hygiene faculty is enthusiastic, and constantly searching for new teaching methods to assist our students. Summarize program areas for improvement. We continually work on recruitment efforts to increase the numbers of qualified applicants and make the pool of potential students stronger. We continue to strive to improve student comprehension of dental hygiene knowledge and procedures to enable all graduates to be successful in obtaining licensure and satisfactory employment. 11