Dental Hygiene Program Grows to Meet Today’s Needs

Marion Manski, M.S., R.D.H., smiles wide. And laughs easily. But her smile is exceptionally wide when she talks about the dental hygiene profession. It’s even wider when she explains why the dental hygiene program at the VCU School of Dentistry is so unique.

“It’s a wonderful profession where things are evolving all the time,” she says. “There’s no better profession for people who are interested in health and prevention.” VCU is the destination of choice for potential dental hygienists because of the location, the patient population, and proximity to state government for advocacy purposes, she explains. “Plus, our students learn alongside dental students and dental faculty in all specialties, and they experience so many internal and external rotations. The dental school environment really does create a different graduate. They graduate with a well-rounded education and experience. It’s amazing.”

Manski joined the School of Dentistry in October 2022 as director of the dental hygiene program overseeing its projected growth from 16 students to 24 over the next few years.

“The COVID pandemic devastated dental care,” she explains. Many practitioners were at retirement age or retired early. Others simply never returned. That devastation included an 8% reduction of the dental hygiene workforce as reported in the Journal of Dental Hygiene. Now the school is helping to fill the gap.

“Accommodating additional dental hygiene students won’t be an issue, as we’ve done it before,” Manski says. “And, because of the strengths of our program and the entire school, we’ve always attracted more applicants than we’re able to admit.” l Earned the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the VCU School of Dentistry, 2012 l Earned the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the VCU School of Dentistry, 2012 l Completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the UNC School of Dentistry, 2013 l Completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the UNC School of Dentistry, 2013 l Earned the Master of Science in Dentistry degree with a Certificate in Endodontics from the VCU School of Dentistry, 2018 l Earned the Master of Science in Dentistry degree with a Certificate in Endodontics from the VCU School of Dentistry, 2018

Dental hygienists at VCU are set to continue the dental school’s unquestionable legacy of providing educational excellence.

As appeared in The Roanoker Magazine

As appeared in The Roanoker Magazine