Development and Implementation of a Web-based BSDH Degree Completion Program

Abstract

The purpose of this program is to explore the strategic steps necessary to develop an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program within a 4-year private, multidisciplinary institution to increase the amount of dental hygiene educators in the Northeast region of the United States. The development of the program including benchmark marketing strategies for the target group will be discussed. The process web-based curriculum conversion utilized will be reviewed. The Massachusetts Dental Society and Delta Dental of Massachusetts have recognized a shortage of dental hygiene educators throughout the Northeast. As a result, the Massachusetts Dental Society (#594) and Delta Dental (#556-12) of Massachusetts have both partnered with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to provide financial grant support for this project. As 2-year community college dental hygiene programs continue to offer and produce licensed dental hygienists quickly and inexpensively, the profession has a plethora of Registered Dental Hygienists lacking their bachelor's degree. The conversion of this program seeks to increase the number of baccalaureate-prepared dental hygienists; thus, increasing the amount of dental hygiene educators available to the Northeast states and post-secondary educational settings. Students enrolled in the program will be surveyed regarding their future intentions once they have achieved their bachelor's degree. Upon student completion of the program, students will be surveyed again regarding their employment intentions and opportunities currently available. It is expected that students enrolled in the program will pursue dental hygiene education. Thus, the program should alleviate the shortage of dental hygiene educators in the Northeast region and, as the program becomes more global, increase the amount of dental hygiene educators available throughout the United States.