title: A Baccalaureate Education Curriculum to Prepare Dental Hygienists for Expanded Public Health Practice.
abstract: A baccalaureate dental hygiene education program was intentionally designed and implemented to prepare dental hygienists to work in expanded public health practice.
  
  
  
  Expanded practice dental hygienists (EPDH) in Oregon practice without the supervision of a dentist to provide dental hygiene services for underserved patients with limited access to dental care. Ten competencies were identified for the successful EPDH, and then these competencies were incorporated into the curriculum of a baccalaureate dental hygiene program.
  
  
  
  When recent graduates of the innovative program were surveyed, results indicated that they felt well prepared for expanded practice, they had a high level of interest in working as an EPDH, and all were planning to apply for an expanded practice permit. Two graduates and their unique contributions to individuals in need are profiled.
  
  
  
  Intentional preparation of dental hygienists for expanded public health roles suggested the need for a baccalaureate curriculum designed specifically for that purpose. Advocacy and collaboration among educators, legislators, and administrators in Oregon led to the development and implementation of such an innovative dental hygiene education program at Pacific University. Graduates are likely to pursue opportunities working as EPDHs. Further research will document the viability of this purposefully designed curriculum to prepare dental hygienists to help meet the public need for optimal oral health.
authors.affiliation: RDH, MS, Program Director & Professor, School of Dental Hygiene Studies, Hillsboro, OR, USA. Electronic address: lisajrowley@pacificu.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Rowley
authors.affiliation: DHEd, MS, BS Pharm, RPh, Associate Dean, College of Health Professions Director, Pacific Program of Interprofessional Practice, Education & Research Professor, School of Pharmacy, Hillsboro, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D003729:Dental Care; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health; D009922:Oregon
keywords: Baccalaureate dental hygiene curriculum; Baccalaureate dental hygiene education; Expanded practice dental hygienist; Expanded practice permit; Expanded public health practice; Oregon dental hygienists'