Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Organizational Leadership
First Advisor
Martinrex Kedziora
Second Advisor
LaFaye Platter
Third Advisor
Lisa Simon
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological, comparative study was to identify and describe effective supports used by dental hygiene faculty and their role in the mental well-being and academic performance of community college dental hygiene students.
Methodology: Two Southern California community college dental hygiene programs were selected for this phenomenological study to identify the use of faculty supports. A purposeful sampling strategy was applied to these populations to identify participants in specific selection criteria. Twenty-one participants, who consisted of five faculty members and five or six 2nd-year students from each school, were selected. Data were collected by conducting individual interviews and then coded and analyzed.
Findings: Qualitative data from 21 interviews with Southern California community college dental hygiene faculty and 2nd-year dental hygiene students were examined by research questions aligned with the theories of Hsu and Goldsmith (2021), Bradberry and Greaves (2009), and Reyes-Walsh et al. (2024). The findings identified strategies to support overall student wellness and academic performance.
Conclusion: The study supports the findings that stress management protocols recommended by faculty such as good nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep can support overall wellness of students in the dental hygiene program. In addition, implementation of stress management protocols, such as meditation or positive affirmations, are being used by some faculty and are considered effective by the students. Finally, strategies implemented to support academic performance, such as tutoring or early academic intervention, can help support dental hygiene students and improve course and program completion outcomes.
Recommendation:Six additional areas of research were suggested to expand upon existing literature and findings on these variables.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Bernadette Heather, "Student Wellness: Exploring the Role of Faculty in Implementing Effective Supports for Mental Well-Being and Academic Performance In Community College Dental Hygiene Education" (2026). Dissertations. 640.
https://digitalcommons.umassglobal.edu/edd_dissertations/640