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Strong faculty student connection improves engagement, skill acquisition, and professional identity formation. In dental and dental hygiene programs, where students are developing both cognitive knowledge and clinical competence, connection directly impacts confidence and performance in patient care. Here are three concise, research supported strategies you can implement immediately. 1. Use Instructor Immediacy in Both Lecture and Clinic Instructor immediacy refers to behavio

After years of teaching, one thing has become very clear to me. If students cannot hear you well, learning suffers. That is why I really like using a microphone when I teach. Studies show that improved access to sound supports learning, and honestly, I will take anything that helps my students learn better. Think about the students sitting in the back row. When they can hear clearly, they are not working to fill in the gaps of what was said. They are able to stay focused on t

by Shelley Brown In the fast-paced world of higher education, it’s easy for students to feel like they’re just numbers in a system. Deadlines loom. Clinical hours stack up. Professional identity develops. Yet one element often gets overlooked — the simple, profound act of kindness. When we bring kindness into the classroom, we do more than just “be nice.” We create a culture where students feel seen, valued, and connected. In doing so, we give them the benefit of the doubt —

Creating an engaging and effective slide deck presentation is crucial for delivering impactful lessons and keeping your audience engaged....

As dental hygiene educators, our role is to not only teach technical skills but also to inspire and guide students toward becoming...

Welcome to HYGIENE edgeUCATORS is dedicated to empowering dental hygiene educators with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need...