title: Developing a scholarly identity and building a community of scholars.
abstract: Progress in the dental hygiene discipline is predicated on the development of a community of scholars who explore questions related to the art and science of dental hygiene and clients in need of oral health care. Graduate dental hygiene education is challenged to develop programs that stimulate and nurture dental hygiene scholars as well as scientists. The need for the development of doctoral dental hygiene education is discussed.
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ortega
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors; D020380:Needs Assessment; D016730:Program Development; D012106:Research / Q000193:education
keywords: Scholarly identity; dental hygienists; doctoral dental hygiene education; graduate dental hygiene education