| Show A World Of Opportunity For Dental Hygiene Students At r pa paM Y W r r M I i I II r w r I f f f j 1 A a aA j r. r i J A r 19 S The proud first year students of the new D Dental n Program at By Nicole Beckstrom Contributing Writer On April Apri 1 1996 the first fast class of the new Dental Hygiene Program began their studies marking the culmination culmination culmination cul cul- cul- cul of two years of struggle to get this program at Many people were involved at the conception of this idea and were instrumental in making it a reality William Laney director of Community Education put in countless countless countless count count- less hours and much dedication He said Ann Erickson Academic Vice President of deserves credit for approving the program Dr Gerald an area and Vice President of the Utah Dental Association UDA was one of the programs program's biggest supporters I was there week after week giving giving giving ing advice getting help from the American Dental Association helping helping helping help help- ing ing- obtain consultants getting involved parties together and at critical critical critical cal times causing key people to feel the political pressure of dentists and the public sorely lacking dental hygienists said On the first day of class Dr spoke at a luncheon held to celebrate t the oc occasion He reported that the Utah State Board of Regents had never received so many letters and phone calls on one sub sub- Now the Dental Hygiene Program is staffed and has 1 18 students in the first year class Paula Casper is the director of the program T k R t I pk ry pf 1 s f C 3 j t 1 a ii V r 4 t The people involved in making this program work I to r William Laney Gerald Barbara Dixon Debbie Boettcher Paula Casper She is a native of Florida and received her education at Palm Beach Community College She later taught there for six years Casper has 22 years of experience in all aspects of the dental industry Casper has traveled to the Dominican Republic to offer her services as well as the migrant populations in hi Florida Many dental professionals from the community are serving as adjunct professors and a second time full-time faculty member will be hired for next fall In addition an Advisory Committee has been formed to provide provide provide pro pro- vide insight and suggestions from area dentists and hygienists The approach to the Dental Hygiene Program is one of high standards standards standards stan stan- dards and expectations Casper has helped guide the students in the formation formation formation for for- mation of a Student Dental Hygiene Association which provides a framework for transition into the American Dental Hygiene Association It helps build leadership leadership leader leader- ship abilities offers support to every member and provides community service The students are expected to tobe tobe tobe be professional ethical and have high standards of integrity Casper said Her focus is on community need quality education and producing producing producing ing a dental hygiene graduate who can make a smooth transition from the academic environment to the professional professional professional pro pro- environment The curriculum in the Dental Hygiene Program is challenging but students say they enjoy it Such classes as Radiology Dental Hygiene Theory Dental Anatomy and Embryology are included The didactic classes are held at while clinical experience in hi radiology gy and dental hygiene is held at Talbert Medical Clinic The University of Utah has also provided facilities at the Medical Center for anatomy classes and access to their library The Dental Hygiene Program has tremendous potential and all the right people to make it great Casper said The Dental Hygiene students are arenow arenow arenow now accepting patients for work beginning in July For a time one-time nominal fee you can have your teeth cleaned or other dental work done To sign up or for more information call The Dental Hygiene Program is dedicated to serving the community and the students of Casper said |
