![accreditation](https://u.osu.edu/cain.198/files/2014/03/accreditation-pa2ffj.png)
Last year at OSU, I had the luxury of being apart of the feedback part of the accreditation process. The Dental Hygiene Program was making sure that all their i’s were dotted and their t’s were crossed. The hygiene programs course load and clinical practices were being looked into to assure that everything met the accreditation standards.
After reading this weeks articles, I was pleased to find out that I had known the majority of the information provided.
2-6 The dental hygiene program must define and list the competencies needed for
graduation. The dental hygiene program must employ student evaluation methods
that measure all defined program competencies. These competencies and
evaluation methods must be written and communicated to the enrolled students.
2-6: We are given detailed information on each skill and task that needs to be understood through competencies.
2-14 The number of hours of clinical practice scheduled must ensure that students attain clinical competence and develop appropriate judgment. Clinical practice must be distributed throughout the curriculum.
2-14: I knew that as we progressed through the program we would be required to be in clinic more, however I did not know the specific number of hours we were required to complete each week for junior and senior year. This one made me stop and think. I know that Columbus State uses our facility to treat patients, but are they utilizing it enough to meet accreditation standards?
2-16 Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient. Graduates must be competent in assessing the treatment needs of patients with special needs.
2-16: At OSU we have so many opportunities to treat a variety of patients of all ages and needs. We also have a rotation at the Nisonger Dental Clinic that treats special needs patients. We are so fortunate here at OSU to have all these clinics at out fingertips.
3-6 The faculty to student ratios must be sufficient to ensure the development of competence and ensure the health and safety of the public. The faculty to student ratios for preclinical, clinical and radiographic clinical and laboratory sessions must not exceed one to five. Laboratory sessions in the dental science courses must not exceed one to ten to ensure the development of clinical competence and maximum protection of the patient, faculty and students.
3-6: I was aware of the student to faculty ratio when in clinic, however I never knew that there was a ratio of one to ten when in a laboratory session. There was always more then one faculty member in lab with us, I just never realized even though we were not treating patients we still need a student teacher ratio.
I can see and understand why the accreditation process is strict with their rules and guidelines. Not every hygiene program can make the cut to become accredited. It makes me proud to say that in May I will graduate from an accredited hygiene program after reading the specifics that go on behind the scene, to be able to call them a Nationally Accredited Dental Hygiene Program. These articles were so insightful.