WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 19, 2016 — It’s tougher than most people know to pass the clinical portion of the dental hygienist board exam, but WLU’s Class of 2016 did just that.
“We are very proud of our 22 graduating seniors who passed the grueling four-hour clinical portion of their CDCA exams with flying colors. Although our students usually do quite well, 100 percent clinical board passing hasn’t happened for sometime and we share our students excitement as they near graduation day and begin their careers as dental professionals,” said Stephanie Meredith, program director for the West Liberty University Sarah Whitaker Glass School of Dental Hygiene.
The demanding clinical exam also requires each senior dental hygienist to find their own patient prior to performing a variety of dental techniques on these volunteers at the request of examiners. Many things can go wrong, for example if a volunteer patient fails to show up or is ill, the dental hygiene student is penalized.
“This exam is difficult in many ways and requires a senior to find their own volunteer patient based on certain criteria, plus be prepared academically to answer questions, and technically to perform the skills they have studied over the past two years,” she said.
Graduates include: Kelly Adams, Waterford, Ohio; Rachel Adams, Washington, Pa.; Breanne Benner, Orville, Ohio; Madison Bonamico, Dennison, Ohio; Jenna Booth, Wirt County, W.Va.; Rebecca Deaton, Martins Ferry, Ohio; Whitney Dodd, Zanesville, Ohio; Alexa Dorris, Shadyside, Ohio; Lauren Dull, Elizabeth, Pa.; Kristin Holmes, Moundsville, W.Va.; Joye Kenimond, Washington, Pa.; Aneda Lemasters, Follansbee, W.Va.; Autumn Miller, Falling Water, W.Va.; Maci Oiler, Ripley, W.Va.; Claire Ortenzo, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Shannen Pegg, Moundsville, W.Va.; Brandy Presto, Amity, Pa.; Deana Schumacher, Woodsfield, Ohio; Shannon Smith, Metz, W.Va.; Hannah Soloninka, Wheeling, W.Va.; Chelsee Verhovec, Rayland, Ohio and Alaynee Wright, West Lafayette, Ohio.
The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) administered the clinical examinations. Its exams are accepted in 46 different US states/jurisdictions and Jamaica. The CDCA develops, administers, scores, and reports the results of its examinations in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene.
It is pledged to excellence, integrity and fairness and strives to be a preeminent resource in the development, innovation and administration of competency assessments for the oral health professions.
The Sarah Whitaker Glass School of Dental Hygiene was established in 1938 and graduated its first class in 1940. Accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, it offers both the Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees.
WLU’s dental hygiene clinic is located in newly constructed Campbell Hall of Health Sciences. The clinic includes 24 dental operatories equipped with A-DEC brand dental units (Austin Dental Equipment Company). The radiography suite consists of nine patient treatment rooms equipped with Gendex x-ray machines for conventional and digital x-ray imaging. Dentrix dental practice management software is utilized. All classrooms are equipped with current educational technology.
The Sarah Whitaker Glass School of Dental Hygiene is part of the College of Sciences, one of five colleges housed at WLU. The five colleges along with the School of Professional Studies offer more than 60 majors and 30 programs that are nationally recognized or accredited. Graduate programs include the Master of Arts in Education, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, the Master of Professional Studies, the Master of Science in Criminology and the online MBA degrees.
For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB. To reach the School of Dental Hygiene, call 304.336.8633.