Shaping Smiles and Futures

Diane Wilson, RDH, MEd, is the executive director of the Dental Hygiene Program at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas, where she brings more than 42 years of expertise in oral health and dental hygiene. As a leader in both clinical practice and education, she has been instrumental in shaping the future of dental hygiene in Bexar County and beyond. After co-founding the Dental Hygiene Program at Lone Star College in 2004, she joined Palo Alto College in 2021, where she continues to innovate and expand access to high-quality, patient-centered oral healthcare. Under her leadership, the program has earned recognition for its state-of-the-art facilities, rigorous curriculum, and dedication to community outreach.

In August, Wilson was honored with the San Antonio Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Award for her efforts in improving oral health education and community service. Committed to student success and community health, Wilson’s work seamlessly integrates academic excellence with societal advancement, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for both students and the broader San Antonio community.

Wilson recently shared about her professional journal with Sunstar Ebrief.

• What motivated you to transition from retirement plans to leading the Dental Hygiene Program at Palo Alto College?

A colleague mentioned that the college was looking for someone to lead a new dental hygiene program, but I was about to retire, and I was sure my husband would be opposed to moving. Well, I mentioned it to him, and he said, “Let’s DO IT!” He has always supported me and knew that I wanted to leave a legacy. This was my opportunity. Not only was I able to write a program, but I was also given the opportunity to build a clinic from the ground floor.

I have been in dental hygiene higher education for 20 years. I have seen the struggles that students go through to change their lives and those of their families. I am a nontraditional student and have had many struggles just as my students have. I know what it takes to get them through the finish line and changing lives is what it is all about.

• How has your clinical experience shaped the way you design the curriculum for dental hygiene students?

Clinical teaching and private practice experience have been key aspects for how I proceed with

developing young professionals. In Texas, curriculum is outlined by the Texas Higher Education’s Coordinating Board and the Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education. Dental hygiene program directors may move curriculum around as we see the educational development of a student. We must prove all of the learning outcomes are met for the courses, but experience tells you which semester to place each course.

In today’s marketplace, clinicians must be experienced in all aspects of technology that are available to critically think through the process of care. They also must be able to communicate effectively while educating patients on their current oral health status.

Building curriculum in a pattern that helps the student comprehend the why of patient care is critical. I have intentionally built in clinical teaching with specific components to allow them to see and understand the differences in all different calculus types and periodontal classifications early in their learning.

• What are some of the key challenges you see in dental hygiene education today?

This is a great topic! I think these are some of the most significant issues education is dealing with today:

* Need for faculty development

* Helping older faculty members understand the learning styles of contemporary students

* Staying current on all aspects of teaching, learning, and the science of dentistry, while developing new content for dental hygiene education

* Time restrictions

* Developing a curriculum that yields an entry-level dental hygienist in a 68-credit hour program

* Fostering the needed work ethic for a profession in dental hygiene

* Teaching accountability