Kirkwood cohort exceeds national norms on challenging multi-part exams; attainTop 3 status
They study for a career that is equal parts science and art. The roots of the craft go back centuries, yet technological advances are improving the end result for millions of clients and patients around the world. Students in the Dental Technology program at Kirkwood Community College re-discover these and other truths each year. As recent testing results show, they also have learned their lessons well.
This fall a group of students underwent rigorous testing for the profession’s Recognized Graduate examinations. The exams included testing in 14 different knowledge and skill areas, from health and safety, anatomy and theory through specific skill aptitudes in forming complete and partial dentures, crown and bridge work, and orthodontics.
Official results show that the Kirkwood class scored at or above national averages in all 14 areas. In fact, the exam results put the eastern Iowa student group in the top three programs in the nation, according to Dental Technology Coordinator Betty Mitchell.
“We appreciate the dedication and focus of our students on a consistent basis, and so do the area labs that hire them. But to get this national validation of what we do is a gratifying thing. These results show that our graduates will compete at the highest levels in this specialized field,” Mitchell said.
Kirkwood Dental Technology student scores were from one to 10 percent above national same-test averages, with specialty scores in the Health & Safety, Theory and Dental Profession sub-tests scoring well over the 90th percentile.
In addition to being a top-performing student group, their skills are a rare commodity among community college grads. How rare is rare?
“Our Dental Tech program is the only one in Iowa. If you go west, the closest similar degree is in Idaho. Go east and the closest is in Kentucky and it’s Texas to the south. These students know they are learning some rare and sought-after skills at Kirkwood,” Mitchell said.
More information on the Kirkwood Dental Technology program is available by calling Kirkwood Health Science, (319) 398-5566.