The program prepares licensed dental hygienists for an advanced practice role. The goal is to enhance the oral health of underserved and diverse populations by providing individuals who have a baccalaureate degree with the theoretical and applied skills needed to be eligible for licensure as a dental therapist and credentialing as an advanced dental therapist in the state of Minnesota. These new intra-professional team members are educated to the same standard of care as a dentist for their defined scope of practice and currently provide care under the supervision of a licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement.
Program Requirements
Common Core
This lecture course provides the student with advanced knowledge regarding dental anatomy, occlusion, and biomaterials.
Prerequisites:
none
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Prerequisites:
none
Research/Methods Course(s)
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
Capstone Course
Students complete their capstone project and present their conclusions to faculty and/or colleagues in the oral and allied health professions.
Prerequisites:
none
Degree Plan
The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan. * Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Summer - 6 Credits
This lecture course provides the student with advanced knowledge regarding dental anatomy, occlusion, and biomaterials.
Prerequisites:
none
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
Second Year
Fall - 6 Credits
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
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
Spring - 6 Credits
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
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
Summer - 6 Credits
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
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
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
Third Year
Fall - 7 Credits
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
Spring - 6 Credits
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
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.
Prerequisites:
none
Students complete their capstone project and present their conclusions to faculty and/or colleagues in the oral and allied health professions.
Prerequisites:
none
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.
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.
Note: 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.
