Study Guide

Descriptions

The Degree Programme in Dental Hygienist is a 3.5-year, 210 ECTS programme which leads to a Bachelor of Health Care degree. The skills and expertise gained through this programme are in compliance with the requirements of the EU in view of the level of higher education enabling free movement of labour and experts.
A Dental Hygienist is an oral health expert who works in public and private social and health care organisations and promotes people’s oral health. A Dental Hygienist provides oral health care and oral health promotion services to individuals, groups and communities on the basis of their needs. These include the prevention of periodontal and cariological infectious diseases, early care as well as rehabilitative care to maintain oral health and masticatory system function. The work is based on different oral health care needs of individuals and communities. A Dental Hygienist is able to anticipate the changes in the service needs in the field, assess their importance and develop oral health care to meet future needs. The work is guided by the values and ethical guidelines in the social and health care field and the related legislation. A Dental Hygienist is able to work as an independent practitioner and an entrepreneur.

Professional Practice Rights/Licensing

The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (VALVIRA) grants, upon application and upon announcement of the degree awarding UAS, the right to practice as a licenced healthcare professional, a Dental Hygienist. The prerequisite for the licensing is that the dental hygienist education comprises of 210 ECTS of studies and the curriculum meets the requirements. The UAS has to verify that the healthcare professional has the required professional competence.

Professional development

In the curricula at Savonia UAS the study modules form extensive study entities. Thus they support the development of the student’s professional expertise and the student’s development as a whole. This also enables the combination of teaching with the working-life-oriented research and development activities.

The Bachelor of Health Care, Dental Hygienist, curriculum has been planned so that the
- the degree programme provides the student with the knowledge, skills and competence required in the working life
- the studies ensure the development of the student’s professional expertise.
The student
- drafts a personal study and career plan (PSP) including the recognition of prior learning (RPL)
- is responsible for the progress of his or her studies

The teachers and other personnel guide and support students in defining and achieving the personal learning goals.

Implementation

Savonia UAS provides education, which is guided by OIS-thinking (Open Innovation Space). The objective is to combine high-quality learning and teaching with working -life oriented research and development work. The students participate actively in the process and work in different premises, communities and in online learning environments. Students, teachers, R&D personnel and working-life representatives together solve various practice-based problems. Thus, theory and practice are combined in the studies.

The multiform networking of the teaching staff enables the working- life oriented education at Savonia UAS. These networks also guarantee the continuous development of substance expertise. The personnel provide the learning opportunities and support the students’ learning.

The objectives, content, extent, methods, requirements and implementation of the courses are described in the curriculum of the Degree Programme in Dental Hygienist. Flexibility in the studies is guaranteed by virtual studies, the use of social media and by using alternative methods to demonstrate skills and competence. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is part of this process. Tutor teachers provide support for drafting the personal study and career plan (PSP) and for competence development.

The guiding principles in the degree studies are dialogue between practice and theory, learning in different expert cultures, and ensuring the student’s progress possibilities in his or her study path. Contact lessons, independent studies and group studies alternate and overlap during the studies. Part of the studies takes place in a skills workshop at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and in the dental teaching clinic of the North Savo Wellbeing Services County. Internship in real work environments and other working-life-related study forms are an important part of the studies and competence development.

Internationalisation is part of studies. The student has an opportunity to learn internationality and improve his or her cultural competence by studying abroad through various exchange programmes. The student can improve his or her intercultural skills also by acting as a peer tutor student and help exchange students and by working eg in immigrant communities.
The aim of the entrepreneurial studies is to encourage entrepreneurship and increase awareness of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial activity and business life. The students can improve their entrepreneurial skills also during internship.

The student is self-directed and assumes responsibility for his or her professional growth and development. Teachers support and monitor the student’s learning, professional development and learning process by providing counselling. The Student Services Office, the Library and Information Services, the International Services and other supportive services help the students in their studies. The studies are based on the principles of accessibility and sustainable development.

The Degree Regulations of Savonia UAS govern assessment. Assessment is used to guide and assess the attainment of objectives.