While acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties that come with an academic year under COVID-19 guidelines, West Virginia University School of Dentistry leadership welcomed returning and new students of the baccalaureate dental hygiene program. The virtual welcome was held via Zoom on Thursday, August 20.
“Our students need to know that while they may not experience what they had expected, they will not receive a compromised education. We’ve worked hard to recreate the best didactic experience we can virtually or abiding by social distancing guidelines,” said Amy Funk, director of the department of dental hygiene. “Clinical education is conducted following ADA recommendations and our additional safety protocols for students to be able to engage in patient care while protecting themselves and their patients.”
The message was echoed by the dental school’s interim dean, associate deans and program faculty and staff during the virtual orientation.
"It was a pleasure welcoming our new and returning dental hygiene students during the virtual orientation. This year, excitement of starting a new academic year has been tempered somewhat with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fortunate that the School of Dentistry community, from the beginning of this crisis, has worked together to address the challenge, continuing to deliver on our education, patient care and service commitments,” said Dr. Fotinos Panagakos.
There are 85 students in the dental hygiene program. First- and second-year students have schedules heavy with lecture, simulation and laboratory courses. The third- and fourth-year students spend the majority of their time providing patient care as part of the dental hygiene curriculum.
Funk cancelled face-to-face orientation activities where academic policy and a review of the educational program is concluded with a picnic with games and introductions. She and program faculty are tapping into all resources to keep students educated about pandemic precautions and to help them stay motivated. The University’s “Together, we can” video was shared during the virtual orientation session.
“Our faculty has been tremendous about recreating -traditionally lecture courses into online and hybrid courses. Although it may seem to be easier to teach online, that is not the case. The dental hygiene faculty has worked tirelessly on their courses to ensure that the instruction meets or exceeds expectations. To help provide a stable learning environment and schedule, these courses will be taught synchronously with unique and engaging teaching methodology,” Funk said.
During the hygiene program’s orientation, students introduced themselves and shared their aspirations for a new semester along with their concerns.
“A lot of their concerns stem around the same things we’ve been focusing on since March. Will they graduate on time? Could they contract COVID? Are they safe as a clinician? Will they return to having all classes on campus? Are they going to be sent home?," Funk said. “All we can do is keep strict safety protocols in place and open lines of communication with our students. Our goal continues to be to provide a learning environment that produces outstanding dental hygienists who will positively impact oral health through education, research and service.”
Safety and wellness, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, tutoring, and other important student resources were discussed. Funk highlighted the importance of mental health and well-being during these unprecedented times and strongly encouraged students to reach out for help.
“We have wonderful resources at WVU. The Carruth Center offers individual and group counseling through telehealth and online methods in addition to their crisis text line. The students at the Health Sciences Center are fortunate to have the BeWell Center onsite which has an outstanding staff. I highly recommend students reach out to Dr. Jen Randall Reyes who has helped numerous dental hygiene students. The energy and compassion she radiates truly captivates the students and allows them to feel safe sharing their feelings,” advised Funk.
The Department of Dental Hygiene has the reputation for producing outstanding clinicians and graduates are very successful in post-graduate programs including medicine, dentistry, business and law.
The program currently hosts students from West Virginia and its bordering states, Illinois, North Carolina, Vermont and internationally from Saudi Arabia. It attracts both immediate high school graduates and non-traditional students. Dental hygiene students range in age from 18 to 30 years old.