■ History
■ Accreditation
■ Technical Standards
■ Curriculum

 

Pictured Above: Dental and Dental Hygiene Faculty and Administrators posing in front of the trailer that used to house the School of Dentistry and the Dental Hygiene Program in 1967.
(left to right: Dr. Ken Morse,

Dr. Hugh Averill,
Ms. Julia Galbaugh,
Dr. Tom Zwemer,
Dr. Judson Hickey,
Dr. Louis Boucher,
Dr. Richard Topazian,
Mr. Ray Lackman,
Dr. Bill Wege,
and Dr. Tom Dirksen)

PROGRAM HISTORY 1967 to 2007
1967 

The bachelor’s program in dental hygiene was initiated at MCG in conjunction with the establishment of the School of Dentistry. Ms. Julia J. Galbaugh was the program’s director, and development of this program stimulated the plan to establish an allied health sciences school on the campus. It also led to the establishment of six associate-degree dental hygiene programs within the university system and the abolition of dental hygiene preceptor training in Georgia.
1972

Dr. Billy Pollard was appointed as chairman.

1975

The name of the unit changed to the Department of Associated Dental Sciences, to reflect the addition of three new programs: an associate degree in dental hygiene, a master of health education and an associate degree in dental laboratory technology.
1988

After serving as chairman of the Department of Associated Dental Sciences for 16 years, Dr. Pollard retired.

1990

The Department of Associated Dental Sciences established an external degree program in dental hygiene in Rome Ga., to help address the statewide shortage of dental hygienists. Also in 1990, the dental laboratory technology program relocated to a new facility at Augusta Technical Institute.
1991

Ms. Gail Winkley who served as acting chair after Dr. Pollard’s retirement,  assumed the permanent chairmanship of the department.

1997

First full-time faculty hired in the Department of Associated Dental Sciences, Ms. Jessie O. Brown, retired after 30 years of service.

1998

Associate degree discontinued for dental hygiene graduates and program converted to Bachelor’s degree option only.

2000

Dr. Marie Collins was appointed chair of the Department of Associated Dental Sciences in September 2000. She succeeded retiring chair Ms. Gail Winkley.

2002

The Department of Associated Dental Sciences was renamed Department of Dental Hygiene.

2004

Faculty in the Department of Dental Hygiene began clinical practice in the Dental Practice Group through a clinical services affiliation agreement with the Dental Foundation, Inc.

2006

Dental Hygiene faculty became the first members of the newly formed MCG Allied Health Sciences Practice Group, Inc.

2006

The Department of Dental Hygiene hosted its 10th Annual Dental Hygiene Alumni Day Program at the MCG Alumni Center. This 4-hour continuing education program attracted 83 participants.
2007

The Department of Dental Hygiene hosted its 25th Annual Dental Hygiene Symposium in Savannah, Georgia. This 13-hour continuing education program attracted 405 participants.