The fundamental philosophy of the Idaho State University Department of Dental Hygiene is threefold. First, its members are committed to excellence in all academic endeavors. Second, the program is progressive in instituting ongoing change to prepare for the future of dental hygiene. The program also places priority on basing these changes on evaluation findings while maintaining essential traditional values. Third, as a component of the university?s primary emphasis area, the program serves statewide, regional, and global needs by providing access to quality education in the discipline as well as meeting the employment demands and oral health needs of the public.

The primary mission of the Idaho State University Department of Dental Hygiene is to provide global leadership and scholarship in educating dental hygienists who will improve the quality of health for diverse populations by advancing the delivery systems and science of dental hygiene through interprofessional collaboration while adhering to professional standards.

Pursuant to the broad philosophy and mission statement above, the Department of Dental Hygiene seeks to positively impact the education of its students and the delivery of dental hygiene services to the public by fulfilling the following interrelated goals:

• Goal 1. To provide quality progressive undergraduate baccalaureate and graduate dental hygiene education globally.
• Goal 2. To increase the visibility of the department within the university and profession.
• Goal 3. To comprehensively prepare dental hygiene graduates who possess the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills to provide optimal dental hygiene care through demonstrated competence as defined by the ?Department of Dental Hygiene Competency Document.?
• Goal 4. To maintain and expand oral health care provided to diverse populations through clinical services and community outreach programs.
• Goal 5. To operate and maintain the on-campus clinical facility to provide quality oral health care while fulfilling the program?s educational mission.