Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

4857

Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major

Higher and Adult Education

Concentration

Adult Education

Committee Chair

Jeffrey Wilson

Committee Member

Colton Cockrum

Committee Member

Wendy Griswold

Committee Member

Donna Menke

Abstract

Healthcare education is of the utmost importance for all individuals in our society. Those that teach in healthcare professional programs are often unprepared for the challenges that are present. Ill-prepared educators may or may not provide a quality education to those students who will eventually care for us. This research addresses this problem by questioning dental and dental hygiene educators currently involved in educating students. It further focuses on the manner in which the interviewed individuals have been prepared to offer instruction and whether that preparation has been adequate. Data was obtained by semi-structured interviews of dental educators who had moved to academia during the last five years. Five themes emerged that aligned with the literature concerning clinicians who evolve or transform to dental educators, their feelings regarding professional development, continuing professional education, mentoring, and a new identity. Though much was learned, there appears to be more that can be learned with the purpose of changing the ways in which these individuals become educators.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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