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ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning update, Part 2

July 14, 2011
FOCUS Editorial Director Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS, continues her coverage of the recent American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) 88th Annual Session and Center for Lifelong Leaning (CLL) by highlighting some of the posters and table clinics presented at the event. She also discusses the DENTSPLY/ADHA Graduate Student Research Program and shares her experience with Naeema Al Bulushi, RDH, BSc, who currently teaches in Oman and has worked as a student teacher in the U.S.
By Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS
In this issue of RDH eVillage FOCUS, we continue our coverage of presentations made at The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) 88th Annual Session and Center for Lifelong Leaning (CLL) held June 15-21, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. We will highlight some of the posters and table clinics, such as Silver Diamine Fluoride, Survival of the Fittest: Get on the Ball!, Evidence-Based Teaching: Studies Directly Related to Student Learning, and others.The DENTSPLY/ADHA Graduate Student Research Program is in its third year, and was hosted by Linda C. Niessen, DMD, MPH, and Cindy Sensabaugh, RDH, BS. The student researchers were Cheri S. Podrunzy, RDH, MSDH, Eastern Washington University; Merri Jones, RDH, Idaho State University; Lorraine Fuller, RDH, BS, MSc, Old Dominion University; Naeema Al Bulushi, RDH, BSc, University of Bridgeport; Jennifer A. Pieren, RDH, BSAS, University of Kansas City, Missouri; Susan Jones, RDH, BS, MS, University of New Mexico; Julie D. Sutton, RDH, BBSDH, MS, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Elizabeth O. Carr, RDH, MDH, University of Tennessee; Melanie V. Taverna, RDH, University of Texas Health Science Center; and Kristafer Adkins, RDH, MSDH, West Virginia University.

I had the pleasure of meeting Naeema Al Bulushi, RDH, BSc, who graduated from University of Bridgeport Fones School of Dental Hygiene. Naeema works as a head of Dental Assistant Department in Oman, while studying for her MSDH at the Fones School. She is currently involved in teaching in Oman and worked as a student teacher in the U.S. Naeema enjoys working with students and making their life easy for them, mainly with instrumentation. She conducted tutorial sessions for instrumentation and dental radiology at Fones School.

After being exposed to the U.S. environment, Naeema realized that they are far behind with the dental hygiene profession in Oman. After making contact with the ADHA, she realized that no matter where they are, in which corner in the world they are located, dental hygienists must be recognized as oral health professionals. We need to educate and create awareness in our communities about dental hygiene, and our role in prevention. Naeema conducted research as part of her master’s degree program and identified the need for a professional dental hygiene program in Oman.

I had the opportunity to inform Naeema about the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH). She is looking forward to learn more about the IFDH and ADHA, and how she can start an association for dental hygienists in Oman. She is working with a team in establishing the first curriculum in dental hygiene and hopes to establish the program in Oman in Sept 2012.

Naeema had a meeting with all the Omani dental hygienists on June 30, 2011, and it was a very successful meeting. She formed a task force to determine concerns or challenges faced by the dental hygienists in Oman. The head of the oral and dental health portion at the Ministry of Health is very supportive and he attended the meeting. Naeema discussed many issues, and one of them is becoming a member of the IFDH!

There was much interest, and I will assist them with the proper forms and documents. They will work through the Ministry of Health. In addition, Naeema designed a questionnaire and it has been sent to the dental hygienists to see their progress in the area of competencies in terms of clinical skills. Based on the feedback, they will be conducting a workshop in October or November of this year. I look forward to hearing of their progress, and working closely with them. They are a little closer to their dream coming true!

Sincerely,

Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS

To read previous RDH eVillage FOCUS introductions by Editorial Director Maria Perno Goldie, go to introductions.