Overview
Allied dental health educators prepare students to become dental hygienists, dental assistants and/or dental laboratory technicians. There is an urgent need for allied dental educators because of the growing demand for qualified allied dental professionals as well as the growth in the number of these academic programs.
Allied dental educators must be at the forefront of oral health practice, science and technology. Dental science and technology are constantly advancing, so educators must stay informed about new techniques, equipment, and evidence based research so they can prepare their students adequately for the workplace.
In addition to classroom teaching, allied dental educators may supervise students in a laboratory, clinical or community setting. They serve as mentors and role models to students in providing quality oral health care to a variety of patients.
Some educators also help publishers develop new textbooks and other teaching materials, write or evaluate patient education materials, serve on academic committees devoted to improving the allied dental curriculum, consult with manufacturers about the design of dental equipment, and provide dental educators and practitioners with continuing education programs intended to enhance teaching or practice skills and to introduce new techniques or science based information.
Some allied dental educators specialize in oral health education, developing educational programs to improve oral health among patients in community health settings, including children, elderly, disabled and other underserved populations.
Hear what ADEA Video Mentors have to say about their educational experience.
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Allied Dental Educator 31 Dec 2008 [pdf, 165 KB]