Revising a Clinical Assessment Tool: A Community College Dental Hygiene Program Case Study

Authors

• Kristen Portner-Lauerman DHSc, MHA, RDH, University of the PacificFollow

Abstract

This article examines how one community college dental hygiene program implemented revisions to a clinical assessment tool to better support novice learners. A review of the literature explores the characteristics of early learners, psychomotor skill acquisition, the Dreyfus model, and assessment tools. The method used was a descriptive case study designed to address the research question: What processes did a dental hygiene program use to implement revisions to a clinical assessment tool to support students’ development of essential clinical skills? The findings highlight the importance of aligning assessment tools with learners’ developmental stages to enhance clinical education and offer a practical framework for community college programs on how to implement revisions to assessment methods.

Recommended Citation

Portner-Lauerman, Kristen DHSc, MHA, RDH (2026) "Revising a Clinical Assessment Tool: A Community College Dental Hygiene Program Case Study," Oral Health: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56031/3066-490X.1008
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/oral-health/vol2/iss1/5