Dear Prospective Graduate Student:

Thank you for your interest in the Master of Science, Concentration in Dental Hygiene Program at Old Dominion University.  Application to the program is your first step to career advancement.  Graduates have been hired by such diverse employers as Pfizer, HuFriedy, Philips Oral Healthcare, universities and community colleges, the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions, Dental Benefit Providers, Inc., the U.S. Navy, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center, just to mention a few.  As you can see, the School of Dental Hygiene produces tangible outcomes. 

The masters program attracts culturally-diverse people worldwide and offers the opportunity to specialize in education, management, marketing, community health and research.  Thirty-four credit hours are required to complete the program if you chose the thesis option; thirty-seven credit hours are required for the nonthesis option.  The program of study allows full-time students to complete the program in a fall, spring, summer, fall semester sequence.  Part-time study also is available.  Another attractive component of the program is the experiential learning credit option.  A student may earn a maximum of six semester hours at the graduate level by demonstrating college-level knowledge gained through work, life experience and knowledge-based examination, and up to 12 graduate credit hours can be transferred in from other Universities.  Please visit our website at hs.odu.edu/dental.

With Old Dominion University’s state-of-the-art equipment, rigorous curricula and opportunities for specialization as a foundation, faculty and students collaborate to prepare grants, conduct research, make national and international presentations, prepare manuscripts for publication, and travel abroad.  For example, our faculty and/or graduate students received grants from: the Administration on Aging, SmithKlineGlaxo, Sunstar Butler, Church and Dwight Co., Inc. and the ADHA Institute on Oral Health to study various dental hygiene related problems.  Faculty and graduate students, via partnerships with Operation Smile International, Physicians for Peace, and Berufsschule am Schutzenpark School, have
 traveled to Liberia, Ghana, the Philippines, Colombia, and Germany.  TELETECHNET, one of Old Dominion University’s latest contributions to distance education, is a nationwide educational television network that brings courses to students via satellite and web-based programming.  Some courses are available to both graduate and undergraduate students in distance education format.

In terms of contributing to the body of knowledge, you can find faculty, student, and alumni publications in the Journal of Dental Hygiene, International Journal of Dental Hygiene, Journal of Dental Education, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene and the Journal of Practical Hygiene, as well as authored books in  University bookstores.  They also present the results of their work at the annual College Research Day, University Research Day, and at professional meetings worldwide.  These activities are undertaken to advance the profession and oral health of the public.

Please know that we are interested in your success as a candidate for the Master of Science, Concentration in Dental Hygiene Program, and feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss your future in our program.  You might also note that the College of Health Sciences offers a PhD in Health Services Research available to qualified dental hygienists wishing to purse a doctoral degree.  Information on the PhD program can be obtained from Dr. Clare Houseman, 757-683-5232; FAX 757-683-5239; mdarby@odu.edu) or a personal campus visit.  The Admissions Office is at admit@odu.edu (800-348-7926). 

Please accept my invitation to come and be a part of the Standard of Excellence in Dental Hygiene. 

Sincerely,

Michele Darby, BSDH, MS
Eminent Scholar, and
Graduate Program Director

For information about area social/cultural attractions:
www.festeventsva.org
www.vgnet.com

For housing information:
housing@odu.edu (800-766-0833)

For information about the Southern Regional Board and licensure: www.srta.org (757-318-9082) and the Virginia Board of Dental Examiners: www.dhp.state.va.us/dentistry)

For admissions: www.odu.edu (click “Admissions”, then Graduate “Admissions” or “International Admissions”.

8/24/05