Dental Explorers: A Review for Dental Hygiene Students

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Session Description

The University of Hawai‘i Dental Hygiene Program is a career program designed to teach students how to become registered dental hygienists. Many first-year students in this program struggle to master the basic concepts of the dental explorer, which affects their clinical skills. To address this issue, an asynchronous online course was created to help first-year students review foundational knowledge about dental explorers before they apply their skills in clinical practice. The course’s design process was guided by the ADDIE framework and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy.

Usability was evaluated through a synchronous online session with five participants (n=5) while learning effectiveness was assessed by pre- and post-surveys and assessments with 25 participants (n=25). The usability study showed mostly positive feedback, with suggestions for design improvements, such as adjusting font size and color, reducing spacing on the mobile version, and removing unnecessary underlining. The learning effectiveness test indicated participants’ scores improved across all modules, and qualitative data from surveys revealed strong satisfaction and increased knowledge of dental explorers. Taken to together, the results suggest the instruction effectively addressed the problem by enhancing students' understanding of dental explorers. Future work could explore ways to refine the course based on usability and attitudinal feedback. Key takeaways include the importance of incorporating both usability testing and learning assessments for optimizing instruction.

https://kaririglos808.wixsite.com/uhmcdentalexplorers

Presenter(s)

Kari Riglos
Learning Design & Technology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Wailuku, HI, USA

Kari Riglos, BA, AS, RDH, CDA, is a dedicated dental hygienist with over 20 years of experience in the field of dentistry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry-Health Sciences with a Minor in Biology, an Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene, and a certificate in Dental Assisting. As a licensed Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), Kari teaches courses at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College Dental Hygiene Program, where she applies her extensive knowledge of both clinical practice and education.
Throughout her career, Kari has been committed to enhancing patient care through education and ongoing professional development. Her teaching philosophy combines practical experience with theoretical knowledge, focusing on developing critical thinking and hands-on skills. She is passionate about helping students build the technical expertise, confidence, and knowledge they need to excel in a dynamic dental field.
Kari’s professional goal is to integrate technology with solid theoretical foundations to create engaging and effective courses that accommodate diverse learning styles. By using these innovative methods, she ensures her students are well-equipped to provide high-quality care and stay adaptable to future advancements in dental hygiene.

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