College of Health Professions
Department of Dental Hygiene
DH 350: Contemporary Dental Hygiene Professional Issues
Summer 2004
Credit Hours: 3 semester hours WEBCT
Instructor's Name: Marge Reveal RDH, MS, MBA
Office: Health Professions Building, Room 204, (928) 523-0520, Marjorie.Reveal@nau.edu
Office Hours: Available by Appointment
Course Prerequisites: Admission to the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program
Course Description: Provides a critical analysis of important professional issues, with an emphasis on the application of current research to practice and development of future policies.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes: After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Conduct and synthesize current literature reviews on selected dental hygiene professional issues.
2. Provide well-written reports about professional issues using the American Psychological Association publication guidelines.
3. Critically analyze information sources on the Web for validity and usability in the development of scientific reports.
4. Develop convincing arguments that are based on current research to recommend changes in dental hygiene regulation and practice that are in the best interest of the public.
5. Demonstrate the computer technology skills necessary for success in the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program and as a dental hygiene professional.
6. Adapt a personal learning style that enhances student success in the on line Dental Hygiene Degree Completeion Program.
Course Structure/Approach: This is the first required course for students entering the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program. It is a Web class as are all the dental hygiene courses taken by these distance students. It requires independent thought and self motivation. Active participation in on line discussions is required. The textbook, websites and library readings will be the basis for the assignments but independent research is also necessary. Students are encouraged to share their previous knowledge and professional experiences regarding course topics. Opportunities to select areas of personal interest for course assignments will be encouraged.
Textbook and Required Readings:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th Edition). (2002). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Articles from Cline Library
Websites
Course Outline:
| Dates | Topics | Readings |
|
Module 1 June 1-3 |
Introductions Personal Learning Styles History of Dental Hygiene Professional Development |
Websites Articles |
|
Module 2 June 4-8 |
Use of Computer Technology for Report Writing |
Websites Articles |
|
Module 3 June 9-16 |
APA Style Requirements Issues of Manuscript Preparation |
Text |
|
Module 4 June 17-21 |
Discussion of Dental Hygiene Regulation, Education and Accreditation Issues | Articles |
|
Module 5 June 22-25 |
Discussion of Professional Autonomy and Protection of the Public Issues | Articles |
|
Module 6 June 26 - July 2 |
Change Theory Related to Dental Hygiene Practice Final Paper is Due |
Articles |
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes:
The grade will be determined by the total points received for completion of course requirements.
| Assignment | Possible Points | Due Date |
| Introductions | 5 | 6/02/04 |
| Assessment of Learning Style | 10 |
6/03/04 |
| Evaluation of Computer Skills | 15 | 6/07/04 |
| Project Topic Selection | 10 | 6/16/04 |
| Literature Synthesis | 25 | 6/21/04 |
| Discussions (5@5 points each) | 25 | Varies |
| Peer Review of the Literature Synthesis | 25 | 6/25/04 |
| Final Paper | 70 | 7/02/04 |
Grading Scale:
180 - 200 points = A
160 - 179 points = B
146 - 159 points = C
130 - 145 points = D
Less than 130 points = F
Course Assignments:
Introductions (5 points) During the first day of class, the students will post a personal introduction that lets others know about their backgrounds, dental hygiene experience, and career goals.
Assessment of Learning Style (10 points) Students will assess their learning style using a learning inventory and report how their dominant learning styles match the requirements of on line learning. They will make recommendations to improve their potential for success in the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program.
Dental Hygiene History (15) Students will analyze a chapter from 2 dental hygiene textbooks and discuss how the dental hygiene profession has progressed and how it has stayed the same.
Evaluation of Computer Skills (15 points) Using the NAU Online Learners Guide, students will report their challenges and develop a plan to gain the skills necessary for success as a distance learner.
Final Paper Topic Selection (10 points) Students will select a topic of interest related to dental hygiene professional issues and provide a plan for completion of the final paper.
Literature Synthesis (25 points) Using the approved topic for the final paper, students will provide a critical review of a minimum of 5 references. A minimum of 4 references must be from peer reviewed journals. One reference will be from a web site and it must be evaluated using the questions from the critical thinking about web sources reading.
Discussions (5 @ 5 points each) Students will participate in 5 discussion throughout the course. The discussions will include answers to questions about dental hygiene professional development, regulation, education and accreditation, professional autonomy and protection of the public.
Peer Review (25 points) Each student will respond to a classmate's literature synthesis and provide at least one area of strength and one area for improvement for each of 5 references.
Final Paper (70 points) The final paper must be a minimum of five pages, double spaced, following the APA manuscript preparation style. There must be a minimum of 8 references. All the references must be from peer reviewed, dental professional publications except one may be from an online source.
Course Policies:
Students are expected to read the assigned materials, participate in discussions and turn in the assignments on time. Late assignments or discussions will result in a grade of 0. All course work must be submitted in the DH 350 WEBCT course. If there are problems with how to use WEBCT or how to submit assignments, students should contact the Student Help Desk at (888) 520-7215. No extra credit is available for this course.
Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Credit for the original source of information, whether they are direct quotes or paraphrasing of information, must be provided in all assignments. Failure to do so will result in a 0 for that assignment. Cheating or plagiarism may result in University disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.
The University policies including: Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional Review Board and Academic Integrity are available at http://www.jan.ucc.nau.edu/academicadmin/plcystmt.html.