The School of Dentistry's dental hygiene program is focusing on student's understanding and development of professional identity from the moment they enter the program. The first ceremony was held, Nov. 28 in conjunction with the annual alumni Black and White event.
The significance of this ceremony is vital to the health of our communities. It's the moment that dental hygiene students begin building their skills and abilities as the professional they will present to patients and colleagues.
"Students need to develop professional identity in order to be confident in their role. However, as students begin their education, it is understandable that they do not fully understand what it means to be a professional," says Sharon Compton, director of the dental hygiene program. "It is a process that develops over time and needs to be nurtured."
That is why this ceremony has been implemented. It's a moment, early in the student's education where they are prompted to reflect on their role and what it means to be responsible for an aspect of healthcare. Each student received a name badge which was chosen to symbolize how the student introduces themselves to others, identifying as a university graduate and as a specialist in oral health. In that very first interaction with a patient or colleague; how a person first interacts with another person can be important to the relationship and that begins with an introduction!
Learning experiences that support development of professional identity are embedded throughout the curriculum but many key learnings are part of the Collaborative Practice courses in YRs 2, 3,and 4. Through these learning experiences, students increase understanding of their role (identity) in an interprofessional context and develop confidence that allows them to better educate others about dental hygiene and the value of oral health.
Lastly, "studies have shown that when students were involved in service-learning in areas such as long-term care and inner city clinics, students improved their empathy, communication ability and self-confidence," says Compton, adding all of these add to building strong professional character. "These experiences are important for educating students on how to be team players, and increases communication ability and role clarity."