Upon completion of the program, the student should be able to:

• Use theories and principles of leadership to define the emerging dental hygiene practitioner as a leader who is a mentor, collaborator, and proponent of transformational leadership.
• Apply methodological aspects of research involving planning, conducting, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and outcomes to support evidence-based practices on emerging treatment modalities in dental hygiene.
• Recognize the importance of cultural competence as it relates to effective communication, recognition of differences that may impact oral health, and the development of skills necessary to provide high-quality dental hygiene care to all patients.
•  Utilize various educational concepts, methodology, teaching techniques, technology, and active learning strategies in the planning, development, and presentation of a lesson plan intended for diverse learners.
• Develop strategies for the delivery of culturally competent care to pediatric, geriatric, medically compromised, special needs patients, and population groups challenged by access to oral health care.
• Explain basic epidemiological principles and methods in relation to public health focusing on oral disease prevention, education, health promotion, the impact of social and cultural health views on oral public health, and the role of the dental hygienist.
•  Identify current and emerging issues in the profession of dental hygiene affecting professional practice, oral health promotion, practice management, patient care management, and oral disease prevention.