The B.S. in Dental Hygiene (Fast Track) at MCPHS is a demanding 16-month, year-round program located at the Worcester campus. It is uniquely structured to accelerate the professional development of individuals who have already completed substantial college coursework or hold a prior bachelor's degree. The program's core objective is to train highly skilled and compassionate dental hygienists capable of providing comprehensive oral healthcare. Emphasizing an immersive education, it combines foundational classroom learning with extensive clinical practice, preparing graduates not only for licensure but also for impactful careers in diverse dental settings.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.S. in Dental Hygiene (Fast Track) is meticulously designed to provide a deep understanding of dental hygiene science and practice within a condensed timeframe. It builds upon prerequisite courses, immediately immersing students in specialized dental hygiene content. Key areas of study include Head and Neck Anatomy, Pathology, Nutrition, Dental Anatomy, Embryology, Dental Radiology, Periodontology, and Pharmacology. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to comprehensive Dental Hygiene Process of Care courses, complemented by extensive Clinical Dental Hygiene labs and experiences. Students also explore Community Oral Health, gain insights into Pain Management, and undertake a Capstone Leadership in Dental Hygiene project, along with coursework in Practice and Career Management, and Healthcare Ethics. The integrated curriculum ensures a holistic understanding of patient care and professional responsibility.
Research Focus: The B.S. in Dental Hygiene (Fast Track) program at MCPHS integrates a focus on evidence-based practice and critical inquiry. While it is primarily a clinical practice degree, the curriculum includes components like "Oral Health Research," which introduces students to research methodologies and the critical evaluation of scientific literature. Students are encouraged to understand how research continually informs and improves dental hygiene best practices, techniques, and procedures. The capstone project, often related to leadership in dental hygiene, may also involve elements of applied research or program evaluation. This emphasis ensures that graduates are not just skilled practitioners but also lifelong learners capable of adapting to new advancements and contributing to the evolution of oral healthcare.
Industry Engagement: MCPHS demonstrates robust industry engagement for its Dental Hygiene (Fast Track) program, largely through the renowned Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, one of the oldest continuously running dental hygiene programs in the country. Students benefit from extensive hands-on clinical experiences in MCPHS's prestigious on-campus dental hygiene clinic, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. These experiences involve working with real patients under the direct supervision of expert faculty, many of whom are active practitioners. Additionally, the program facilitates clinical placements in various external community facilities, providing exposure to diverse patient populations and practice environments. These strong connections within the dental community ensure that the curriculum remains current with industry trends and that graduates are well-prepared for seamless entry into professional practice.
Global Perspective: The B.S. in Dental Hygiene (Fast Track) program at MCPHS implicitly integrates a global perspective by fostering an understanding of universal principles of oral health and its impact on overall systemic health, which are relevant worldwide. The curriculum's focus on identifying the oral health needs of diverse populations, and making ethical decisions in patient care, encourages cultural competence. While the primary clinical training is situated within the U.S. healthcare system, some faculty members are dedicated to improving global access to dental care through volunteer service trips to various countries, as noted in their profiles. This exposure to faculty involvement in international initiatives, combined with MCPHS's diverse student body, broadens students' awareness of global health disparities and the role of dental hygiene in addressing these challenges on a broader scale.
