Teaching & Learning
Over the following semesters (Autumn, Spring, Summer), I taught the following clinical, laboratory, blended, and didactic courses (in-person and online). Every course listed below, I revised the course syllabi, condensed schedules, and updated Blackboard material.
Autumn Courses
DHY 1100 Introduction to Dental Hygiene (Lecture- Shared)
I updated and presented the following didactic lectures on Professionalism, Infection Control, Hard and Soft Tissue Deposits and Stain, Principles of Oral Health and Patient Motivation, Toothbrushes, Adjunctive Aids and Indices, Dentifrices and Oral Rinses, Fluoride, Ethics, and ADHA/ODHA.
I created a Jeopardy Review Game which we played in class the final lecture day prior to finals week.
One hands-on activity I created was a Calculus Detection Lab to better prepare students for detecting calculus on live patients and typodonts before clinic in the Spring. Feedback received from students following this activity is that they felt more confident in their calculus detection skills in clinic. Practice throughout the program using ModuPRO Typodonts also prepared students to be successful on the ADEX Clinical Board Exam, requiring calculus detection on a similar typodont. We have had a 100% pass rate on this exam in my two years as FT Faculty.
DHY 1200 Dental Hygiene Pre-Clinic (Lab)
As a lead instructor for Pre-Clinic, I spend a significant time with students providing hands-on instrumentation mentorship. Students are evaluated through observation and competencies in real time. I ensure laboratory safety, including infection control and use of sharp instruments.
While learning probing techniques and light grasp, I made a large probe model to help students visualize proper angulation and adaptation. I also used marshmallows for students to practice a very light walking strokes for probing to simulate the light walking stroke required when probing a live human sulcus.
I met with students for remediation sessions when deemed necessary by their Plan for Success (following an unsuccessful competency). Students are consistently provided with feedback, encouragement, and constructive advice for improvement.
DHY 1130 Dental Radiology (Online Lecture & In-Person Lab)
I updated thirteen PowerPoints and recorded voice over presentations on nine PowerPoints. Each PowerPoint was updated to coincide with the newer textbook version.
For the Lab component of this course, I updated the 113-page Dental Radiology Lab Workbook, Infection Control Protocols, and organized weekly lab activities which had to be flexible due to all students completing tasks at various paces.
DHY 2863 Clinic
My roles as Clinical Coordinator coincide with many duties during DHY Clinic 1861, 2862, 2863, and 2864. I evaluate students on their patient care, time management, infection control protocol and safety, professionalism, and clinical competencies. I respond to any problems that may arise, such as: technology difficulties, infection control breaches, issues with equipment, medical emergencies, treatment planning questions, etc. I provide students with guidance, facilitate critical thinking, and apply to real life scenarios when possible.
Competency Documentation Examples:
Spring Courses
DHY 1861 Clinic I Lecture
In this course, students engage in active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration through small-group case study assignments, allowing them to apply the knowledge gained in class. Provided students with additional experiences, including guest speakers from Haleon and Sonicare.
DHY 1861 & 2864 Clinic
**see DHY 2863 Clinic
DHY 2275 Dental Hygiene Case & Concept Review (Lecture)
This course is designed to prepare students for their National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and Clinic ADEX Board Exam. For the first 8 weeks, we reviewed all subjects on the NBDHE using PowerPoints and Kahoots.
I organized a Mock ADEX Board Exam to prepare students for their clinical board exam. ModuPro Typodonts were used for students to practice clinical skills and recording answers just as they would on the exam. This helped prepare students and built their confidence going into their clinical board exam.
Additionally, I prepared and presented didactic and hands-on lecture on Silver Diamine Fluoride. This will provide students with an additional certification to their license to apply Silver Diamine Fluoride.
Summer Courses
DHY 2200 Pain Management/Local Anesthesia (Lab)
In this course, I monitored laboratory safety including infection control, use of needles/syringe and handling of sharps. Students were evaluated on their performance through observation and competencies in real time. This is a challenging course where some students have to overcome their fear of needles, and build confidence to give injections to others.
DHY 2862 Clinic II Lecture
Similarly to DHY 1861 Lecture, students engage in active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration through small-group case study assignments, skill set exercises, and hands-on learning activities. Students learn Advanced Instrumentation techniques that they can apply for patient care during clinic. They reflect on their implementation of advanced instrumentation through reflection journaling with faculty.
DHY 2862 Clinic
**see DHY 2863 Clinic
Student and Faculty Morale
Student Success, Wellness and Morale
Encouraging Emails
I send encouraging emails to students throughout the semester. This allows me to touch base with students and show my support. I utilize Starfish to provide students with timely feedback on their classroom performance.
Professional Headshots
I coordinated with an on-campus photographer to take Professional Headshots and Class Photo for the 2025 graduates. This is a nice memorabilia for students, and provides them with a Professional Headshot which can serve them as they begin their career.
New Student Orientation Welcome Letter and Gift
Welcomed new students to the program with a personalized card and dental hygiene sticker.
Faculty Success and Morale
Faculty T-Shirts
For our Faculty Calibration meeting, I made personalized CSCC Dental Hygiene Faculty T-Shirts.
New Faculty Orientation
We meet with new faculty prior to their start in clinic to review important information, answer their questions, and set them up to be successful.
