ADEA, ADHA create guidelines for graduate hygiene degree

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) have collaborated to create core competencies for a graduate degree in dental hygiene.

The Core Competencies for Graduate Dental Hygiene Education identify eight core competency domains -- general categories of educational content -- and establish benchmarks for educational quality, particularly with respect to curriculum development and enhancement.

The competencies will further define the body of dental hygiene professional knowledge; inform and guide faculty members, students, and other stakeholders in a common understanding of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and characteristics of dental hygiene program graduates; and establish a benchmark of educational quality and content.

"To stay in step with our evolving knowledge about oral care and health, dental hygienists must prepare for new roles in education, research, clinical practice, and other arenas," said ADEA President Leo Rouse, DDS, in a press release.

Previously, there was no benchmark to assure the quality and consistency for graduate dental hygiene education programs, added ADHA President Pam Quinones, RDH.