Press Releases: Northwest
March 29, 2005
Kaiser Permanente makes $100,000 donation to assist proposed Pacific University Dental Science Program
FOREST GROVE, Ore. – To help assure adequate health care workers in the future, Kaiser Permanente has donated $100,000 to the proposed Pacific University dental hygiene program. The College of Health Professions at the University approved a dental science program in January, although the program’s establishment has several steps to go before it is formed. Kaiser Permanente dental professionals and managers are also involved with the university faculty in the process of designing the program.
Although two-year programs offering an associate degree in dental hygiene exist, Kaiser Permanente’s donation will help ensure that Oregon has a four-year program for students interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the field. The state’s only bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene was eliminated at Oregon Health & Science University a few years ago. Bachelor’s degrees are especially important for hygienists who want greater opportunity to participate in clinical management.
"Kaiser Permanente began 60 years ago with the social mission of improving the health of its members and the community as a whole," says Amy Marko, Dental Business Leader for Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "We donate to health care training and educational programs because of our commitment to promote and maintain the health of people throughout Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington ."
Don Prasnikar, DDS, Regional Dental Director for Kaiser Permanente Northwest, says, "We’re happy to be helping establish a dental hygiene program at Pacific University because it will mean students will no longer be forced to go out of state to pursue a bachelor’s degree. That helps ensure that Oregon continues to have highly qualified graduates available to meet the needs of dental patients."
Pacific University is equally excited about setting up a dental science program, which will offer a four-year baccalaureate degree, with an optional fifth year for a master’s degree, beginning as early as 2006.
"The Pacific University dental hygiene program will be cutting edge and offer students a rich curriculum," said Willard Kniep, Provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "This is a growing field in health professions and, with Kaiser Permanente’s assistance, Pacific University can become a leader in preparing dental hygienists for work in the community."
Pacific University in Forest Grove , Ore. , is one of the West's oldest chartered higher education institutions. Pacific annually ranks as one of America 's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report and is ranked as one of the best tuition values in the West. With an enrollment of more than 2,500 students, Pacific University provides an excellent academic experience linking theory to practice in education.
