More than (just) teeth: Dental education marks 50th year

Faculty and students reflect on connections and excellence

A lot happened in 1975, from the premiere of the movie Jaws to the founding of Microsoft, not to mention the release of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run.” Here at Indiana University Northwest, big things were in the works, too.

In 1975, the university held its very first classes for the fledgling dental education program. Fifty years later, the program is still going strong. You could say it had the same staying power as Springsteen’s classic.

At first, the program only took around a dozen students in dental hygiene and dental assisting. But by 1990, demand was so great that enrollment doubled. In 2015, the program graduated its first students from the brand-new four-year dental hygiene degree.

“Even today, there’s a huge demand for dental assistants and dental hygienists,” Donna Krause said. “We still have a huge demand for our programs, and most students actually have interviewed with offices before they even graduate.”

Krause, the program director, has been at IU Northwest for 37 years and witnessed much of the growth firsthand. Today, she’s proud to be part of such a successful program.

“We’re so glad it’s still doing well 50 years later,” she said. “It’s been very impactful for our campus and the community, and I envision it going on for another five decades.”

Student achievement has been one of the biggest markers of the program’s success over the years. Krause said graduates are equipped for their licensing exams, national boards and regional state boards, with many passing on their first attempt.

“A lot of students come in quiet and shy and don’t seem like they have a lot of self-confidence,” Krause said. “Then, as they build on their successes each semester, you can see them blossoming.”

Many of those students go on to share their enthusiasm for dental hygiene with patients right here in Northwest Indiana. Some, like recent graduate Jennifer Martinez, have taken their skills to other parts of the state.

Martinez plans to work at a private practice in Indianapolis, educating patients and volunteering with local organizations.

“They’re always looking for volunteers to give back to people who might not have insurance or can’t afford dental care,” she said. “That’s something I’m interested in doing; I feel like it’s really important.”

Martinez’s passion for dentistry started way back in middle school, when she had an incredible experience with a dental hygienist.

“She was very passionate about the career and showed me the ropes,” Martinez said. “It’s not really just about cleaning teeth. There’s more to it, like focusing on prevention and education.”

With a degree in hand, Martinez knows just how many opportunities the dental hygiene field holds. Through her work at the campus dental clinic, she’s served kids, teens, adults, and seniors alike. Not only do students like Martinez get hands-on experience, but the community gains access to affordable dental care.

“One of my favorite parts is connecting with patients around the community,” Martinez said. “I learned lifelong lessons from them, and they gave me advice that really stuck with me.”

Relationships with patients are essential for any dental professional, but IU Northwest’s program has a long track record of cultivating strong faculty-student connections, too. Krause, for her part, is proud of how close-knit the program is.

“Our faculty do a lot with mentoring and working closely with students. I think it makes students feel comfortable, and I’m proud that the faculty are so responsive to their needs,” she said.

Here from the beginning

Steven Holm, a dentist and adjunct faculty member, has been with the dental education program almost since the beginning. He’s seen the program start with just over a dozen students and watched it grow into a robust four-year degree.

When Holm first started teaching at IU Northwest 49 years ago, everything was done on paper (after all, Microsoft was just getting started, too!) and students were less outspoken.

He also said the dress code was different, with all-white scrubs and mid-calf skirts.
Fifty years later, technology has advanced, styles have changes, and student-teacher relationships are much more personable.

“It’s hard to believe I’ve been around here for as long as I have,” he said. “There’s been this evolution that’s been fun to watch. Things have changed, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.”

Over the years, Holm has made an effort to make things fun for his students. During the Halloween season, he would bring in pumpkins for students to carve and serve cupcakes and donuts.

Then, at Christmastime, he would get everyone together for dinner off campus.

“Last year, we went to Stacks in Valparaiso, and it was a really good time,” he said. “That’s the nice thing about IU Northwest, most of the students feel very comfortable around the faculty.”

Even after 50 years, the connections made at IU Northwest’s dental education program haven’t gone away. In early June, the program organized a reunion to celebrate the milestone, and graduates from as far back as the ’70s and ’80s attended.

Holm said putting together the event was a massive undertaking, especially given they didn’t have email addresses from students who graduated before email was the norm, and some have gotten married and changed their names.

Despite the challenges, the outcome makes it all worth it.

“The fact that I still have students come back, saying they remember me as an instructor and had so much fun, it’s very rewarding. I’ve enjoyed the whole thing,” Holm said.

Holm, Krause and the rest of the dental education faculty are excited to take on another 50 years and continue their tradition of excellence, training hundreds more dental professionals along the way.

“We’re hoping to maintain our standards, continue to grow and keep our technology up to date,” Krause said. “I’m sure we can achieve any milestone.”