Dental Education

Graduate Programs

Description

Dental education provides opportunities for students to develop a sound clinical and theoretical foundation for the practice of dental hygiene and/or dental therapy. The graduate is prepared to work in a variety of settings and roles including clinical practice, corporate, public health, research, education, and administration as put forth by the American Dental Hygienists' Association and the American Dental Therapy Association.

Majors

 Program Locations Major / Total Credits
Advanced Dental Therapy MS MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
 37 / 37

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Required for Application:

  1. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher based on undergraduate coursework.
  2. Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended.
  3. Signed Technical Standards form.
  4. Statement of Interest: Describe your reasons for pursuing the ADT MS and becoming an advanced dental therapist. Limit your statement to 1-2 pages.
  5. Diversity statement: Explain your experiences and commitment to diversity. Four areas that might be included in a 1-2 page diversity statement are:
    • Your values related to diversity.
    • Your experiences interacting with diverse populations.
    • Your future plans related to inclusivity.
    • Adversity you have witnessed or personally encountered.
  6. Portfolio, resume, or CV: Please include the following four sections and any supporting evidence.
  7. Career/Work Experience (lifetime)
  8. Professional Organizations, Awards, and /or Recognitions (lifetime)
  9. Community Service and Volunteerism Activities in the last 3 years
  10. Continuing Education/Professional Development and lifelong Learning in the past 2 years if applicable
  11. Phone Interview: Qualified candidates are contacted to schedule a phone interview. During this interview, the admissions committee will review the candidate's reasons for wanting to pursue the ADT MS and their diversity statement. The candidate should be prepared to answer additional questions including those related to professionalism and conflict resolution.

Required Prior to Traditional Enrollment:

  1. Earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
  2. DHYG 460 (2 cr) Restorative Functions Seminar or equivalent training/education.
  3. Current Minnesota Dental Hygiene license without encumbrance, including nitrous oxide and local anesthesia certifications.
  4. Evidence of current dental hygiene professional liability insurance.
  5. Evidence of required immunizations specified by Minnesota Law (M.S.135A.14). Additional immunizations may be required as a healthcare provider, contact the program director for details.
  6. Evidence of current CPR certification (Healthcare Provider level BLS/CPR, AED with practical skills component).
  7. Evidence of HIPAA training.
  8. Evidence of current health insurance.
  9. A background check in accordance with the MN Board of Dentistry statutes is required when applying for licensure.

Required Prior to Advanced Placement Enrollment:

  1. Successful admission to Minnesota State University, Mankato dental hygiene program, see undergraduate bulletin for admission requirements.
  2. Evidence of required immunizations specified by Minnesota Law (M.S.135A.14). Additional immunizations may be required as a healthcare provider, contact the program director for details.
  3. Evidence of current CPR certification (Healthcare Provider level BLS/CPR, AED with practical skills component).
  4. Evidence of current health insurance.
  5. Dental hygiene professional liability insurance will be required once licensed as a dental hygienist.
  6. A background check in accordance with the MN Board of Dentistry statutes is required when applying for licensure.

Notes: Students admitted with advanced placement must successfully complete the Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene to remain enrolled in the Advanced Dental Therapy program. Students accepted with advanced placement are not eligible for graduate student financial aid until they obtain their Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene.

Contact Information

Department of Dental Education
120 Clinical Sciences Building
College of Allied Health & Nursing

Main Office (507) 389-1313
Dental Clinic (507) 389-2147
https://ahn.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/dental-education/

Faculty

Chair
  • Brigette Cooper, MS
ADT Director
  • Anitha Peddireddy, BDS, MDS, PhD
Faculty

500 Level

Credits: 1

This lecture course provides the student with advanced knowledge regarding dental anatomy, occlusion, and biomaterials.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 5

This lecture and simulation laboratory-based course provides the student with initial operative dentistry learning opportunities for the permanent dentition. This course focuses on the principles of operative dentistry cavity preparation and restoration design, as well as the appropriate selection and application of direct restorative materials. Special topics include techniques which restore form, function, and esthetics to permanent teeth in the simulation lab setting in preparation for patient care. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and judgment, psychomotor skills, and self-evaluation.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

This didactic course prepares the student with the knowledge, skills and judgments to collect and analyze patient health data relevant to advanced dental therapy practice. This course focuses on the development of critical thinking skills and the use of sound clinical judgment to develop individualized treatment plans. Regulations and rules that guide judgments and actions of all dental team members are also emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 5

This lecture and simulation-lab based course emphasizes restorative and preventive strategies specific to the primary and mixed dentitions in advanced dental therapy practice. Course focus includes child and adolescent behavior and trauma management; data gathering, analysis, and treatment planning; and management of the developing occlusion. Consultations and referrals are also emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

This laboratory and clinical course prepares the student with the knowledge, skills and judgments to collect and analyze patient health data relevant to advanced dental therapy practice. This course builds upon the critical thinking skills learned in ADT 510 and allows students to develop and apply sound clinical judgment when creating individualized treatment plans and while working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course consists of lecture, laboratory, and clinical components. The lecture and laboratory components address the basic principles of complex tooth preparations and restorations, interim restorations, uncomplicated permanent tooth exodontia, and suturing techniques. The clinical component of this course provides the student with initial clinical experiences in the delivery of advanced dental therapy services and patient management.

Prerequisites: none

600 Level

Credits: 2

This course prepares the student with the pharmacological knowledge and skills necessary to think critically and make sound judgments when providing patient-centered care within their scope of practice. Effective patient care begins with sorting through the patient¿s medical/dental health status and pharmacological report. Based on a comprehensive initial analysis, the student will discern appropriate modifications and necessary drug prescriptions/interventions to ensure overall safe and optimal care. Drug classes, pharmacological effects, adverse reactions, drug contraindications and interactions will be addressed practically and reinforced through case-based learning.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

This course reviews common medical and dental emergencies that may be encountered in Advanced Dental Therapy practice, as well as management protocols and prevention strategies for emergencies. This course illustrates the relationship between accurate data collection and achieving successful outcomes in the management of dental and medical emergencies. Emphasis is placed on gathering, analyzing, and processing information to develop appropriate action plans.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This lecture and clinically-based course provides the Master of Science in Advanced Dental Therapy student with the opportunity to address their scope of practice dealing with prosthodontics. Students develop and refine their knowledge, skills, and judgments in providing advanced dental therapy scope of practice to underserved patients across the lifespan.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This lecture and clinically based course provides the student with opportunities to deepen and refine their knowledge, skills, and judgments in providing advanced dental therapy scope of practice to underserved patients across the lifespan. In the clinical setting ethics, responsibility, self-assessment, and self-improvement continue to be emphasized as well as professional referrals and collaborations to provide comprehensive patient care.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course provides the student with practical experiences in delivering advanced dental therapy oral healthcare services to special needs patients in extended campus, nontraditional clinical settings as well as the university clinic. Patient groups encountered may include: pediatric, geriatric, and medically compromised patients; patients with genetic and/or acquired disabilities, and financially or motivation-impaired patients. Knowledge and skills to effectively promote healthcare policy are also a course focus.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course advances the competency of Master of Science in Advanced Dental Therapy students. The oral healthcare of special needs and underserved patients are addressed in non-traditional and university dental settings. Critical thinking, clinical judgment, ethics, and professional responsibility are emphasized, in addition to health equity.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

This course requires capstone topic identification in an area related to Advanced Dental Therapy. The student composes a scholarly reading list, an abstract for the capstone paper and an outline of paper contents.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

This course is the zenith of advanced dental therapy student educational experiences. Knowledge, skills, clinical judgments, and critical thinking appropriate for successful advanced dental therapy practice are demonstrated in clinical practice and assignments.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Students complete their capstone project and present their conclusions to faculty and/or colleagues in the oral and allied health professions.

Prerequisites: none