Master of Science in Advanced Dental Therapy (MSADT), formerly known as the Master of Science in Oral Health Care Practitioner (MSOHCP)
[Program Overview] [Program Outcomes] [About the Department] [Curriculum] [Admission Criteria] [Application Requirements] [Academic Standing] [Accreditation] [Faculty]
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Advanced Dental Therapy program provides quality graduate educational opportunities that enable you to successfully fulfill new and exciting roles, as a dental therapist and an advanced dental therapist serving the oral health needs of clients. This nationally groundbreaking program expands the dental team's capacity to provide direct access to preventive and therapeutic oral health care services. Pew Center on the States reports that by 2014 the demand for oral health care services will increase due to the federal health care reform law which expands dental insurance to millions of children in the United States. This demand is coupled with Pew's prediction that the new dental provider with dual licensure as a dental hygienist and a dental therapist can bolster the productivity and profits of the private dental practice setting. In essence, the employment of dual licensed mid-level providers makes good business sense while improving the oral and general health of poor and uninsured Minnesotans.
The MSADT program promotes community-minded health care practices and prepares practitioners to provide assessment and evaluation, preventive, restorative, and therapeutic services to underserved members of our communities. This program provides dental hygienists with a baccalaureate degree the theoretical and applied skills necessary for the advanced dental therapist as defined by Minnesota Statute Section 2 [150A.01]. Graduates of this program will be eligible for licensure as Dental Therapists upon completion of the program and for credentialing as Advanced Dental Therapists in the state of Minnesota after fulfilling the required 2,000 hours of documented dental therapy practice. By creating a meaningful solution to the problem of dental access for underserved communities, Minnesota is recognized as a national leader in oral health care.
The Master of Science in Advanced Dental Therapy is a full-time, graduate program which combines classroom based and web-enhanced courses with laboratory, simulation and clinical learning environments to present the unique curriculum designed to prepare advanced dental therapists. This program engages students in inter-disciplinary experiences with members of the dental care team as well as the broader health care team.
Program Outcomes
The outcomes of the MSADT program include the ability to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking in dental therapy and advanced dental therapy practice;
- Demonstrate competence in dental therapy and advanced dental therapy practice;
- Apply the principles of ethical decision making and cultural competence in dental therapy and advanced dental therapy practice;
- Demonstrate leadership in improving the delivery of oral health care;
- Work in partnership with a collaborative management agreement dentist and other health care professionals;
- Use a process of scholarly inquiry in dental therapy and advanced dental therapy practice.
About the Department of Dental Hygiene
Mission
Metropolitan State University Department of Dental Hygiene's mission is to prepare licensed dental hygienists for advanced practice and to enhance the oral health of underserved and diverse populations. Programs are built on academic excellence and support the value that advanced education is essential to the delivery of quality, safe, accessible, cost-effective oral healthcare. The Department of Dental Hygiene is committed to collaborative community involvement, emphasizing ethics and social responsibility.
Goals
The goals for the Dental Hygiene Programs are to:
- Prepare graduates who will be competent to manage quality comprehensive care that responds to the increasing oral health care needs of individuals, families and communities.
- Provide access to early interventions and quality preventive and primary oral health care through collaborative referrals to dentists and other health care practitioners.
- Ensure admission of a qualified and diverse student population leading to an oral health care workforce that reflects the communities served.
- Participate in collaborative community health promotion with education and industry partners to foster expanded practice and research opportunities.
- Engage students in professional activities and lifelong learning to advance the profession and the discipline of dental hygiene, dental therapy and advanced dental therapy.
- Provide outcomes that reflect relevant and current dental hygiene, dental therapy and advanced dental therapy practice.
Curriculum
The program includes interdisciplinary and focused course work which covers three primary developmental phases for a total of 46 graduate credits:
- The science of health care delivery phase focuses on working within diverse communities, communication across cultures, understanding health care needs and the incidence of disease across populations and advancing safe, quality care. This phase consists of 8 credits.
- The clinical practice development phase advances the assessment, collaboration and care provision skills unique to this role. This phase consists of 33 credits and includes the laboratory, simulation and clinical experiences.
- The leadership phase concentrates on extending health system and public policy knowledge and developing leadership skills. This phase is the synthesis phase of the program. The capstone project integrates evidence and quality improvement methods and the various learning experiences in the evaluation of a relevant clinical question. This phase consists of 5 credits.
Program Courses
MSADT Interdisciplinary Didactic Courses
- NURS 608 Epidemiology
- NURS 605 Health Policy and Leadership
- HSCI 648 Designing for Quality in Health Care
- COMM 533 Theories and Explorations in Community-Based Intercultural Communication
These courses may be taken prior to, during or upon completion of the MSADT competency-based dental courses.
MSADT Competency-Based Dental Courses
- DENH 610 Health Assessment and Oral Diagnostic Reasoning
- DENH 620 Pharmacology Principles of Clinical Application
- DENH 630 Management of Dental Emergencies and Urgent Care
- DENH 640 Community-Based Primary Oral Healthcare I
- DENH 650 Community-Based Primary Oral Healthcare II
- DENH 660 Community-Based Primary Oral Healthcare III
- DENH 670 Community-Based Primary Oral Healthcare IV
- DENH 680 Community-Based Primary Oral Healthcare V
- DENH 690 Advanced Specialty Practices
- DENH 700 Advanced Community Specialty Internship
- DENH 710 Comprehensive Competency-Based Clinical Capstone
DENH courses are taught in a sequence using a cohort model. Courses will be taught at Metropolitan State (St. Paul and Maplewood) and Normandale Community College (Bloomington). Clinical courses with community practice components may require students travel to clinical sites throughout the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area for course completion.
Students may enroll in continuing credit as they accrue the required 2,000 hours of practice as a dental therapist to be eligible for certification as an advanced dental therapist after completion of the course of study detailed above.
Additional Program Requirements
Before MSADT students begin clinical dental courses, the following must be provided:
- Evidence of completion of program prerequisites;
- Evidence of minimum number of hours of clinical dental hygiene practice;
- Appropriate documentation of an active Minnesota dental hygiene license;
- Evidence of current professional liability insurance;
- Evidence of required immunizations;
- Evidence of current CPR certification;
- Evidence of HIPAA training,
- Evidence of successful background study, and
- Evidence of current health insurance.
Admission Requirements
The MSADT degree builds upon the liberal arts and/or science-oriented baccalaureate degree or a post-baccalaureate certificate program in dental hygiene. The Department of Dental Hygiene evaluates your application for evidence of undergraduate scholarship, professional experience, and your commitment to the mission and role. Class size is limited. Entrance is competitive. The following requirements are necessary to be considered for admission to the MSADT program.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (calculated from all college coursework);
- Current dental hygiene licensure in good standing (must meet Minnesota requirements, including nitrous oxide and local anesthesia certifications);
- Prerequisite courses must be completed or a plan for the completion submitted with the application. Documentation of successful completion of prerequisite courses or prerequisite competencies must be provided to enroll in dental program courses.
The competencies identified in the program prerequisite courses may be demonstrated through previous coursework and/or work experience. To document completion of the competencies, the applicant may petition the requirement. Petitions may be obtained by contacting the academic advisor. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee entrance into the program. The program will have limited enrollment and Metropolitan State University reserves the right to determine admissions status.
Applications are reviewed throughout the year. Eligible applicants will be invited for an interview and professional portfolio review as a final step in the application process. See Applying to the Program for portfolio details. The dental coursework is offered in a cohort format beginning in the fall semester.
Prerequisite Courses
- DENH 310 Collaborative and Advanced Dental Hygiene Practice
- DENH 320 Management of Oral Health Care Delivery
- DENH 420 Restorative Functions
Orientation
Once you have been fully admitted to the program, you will be required to attend a graduate program orientation session and develop a plan of study.
Application Requirements
To be considered for admission you must submit:
- Graduate Application
- Non-refundable application fee (waived for graduates of Metropolitan State University)
- Official transcripts from all universities attended
- Plan for completion of prerequisite requirements, if in process
- Evidence of a current unencumbered Minnesota Dental Hygienist license
- Goal essay
- Two references
- Computer proficiency form
See Applying to the Program for application packets and details on the requirements and deadlines.
Academic Standing
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain in a College of Health, Community and Professional Studies graduate program. To remain in good standing, you must maintain a term and cumulative GPA of 3.0.
You will be admitted as part of a cohort for the MSADT competency-based dental courses and must adhere to the progression published at the time of your admission. If you are unable to progress with the assigned cohort, you may make a written request to join a subsequent cohort, provided you have made satisfactory academic progress to date and space is available.
Accreditation
Metropolitan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
312-263-0456
Faculty
Resident and community faculty members bring multiple specialties and areas of interest to their instruction. Many faculty members maintain an active dental practice. Community and resident faculty instructing core clinical courses are licensed dentists or dental therapists.
