The Adams School of Dentistry offers a 22-month graduate program leading to a Master of Science degree in dental hygiene education designed to prepare students for careers in teaching, administration, research and management. The primary goal of the Master of Science degree program is to prepare exceptional educators for allied dental education programs.<br><br>The curriculum emphasizes advanced knowledge and skill development in several areas including education, leadership, administration and research related to allied dental education and practice. The curriculum is interdisciplinary in that the Adams School of Dentistry, UNC School of Education and the Gillings School of Global Public Health offer courses as a part of the program.<br><br>Achieving national health objectives should be an inherent part of the professional activities of dental hygienists. Both inside and outside of the research arena, it is important for practitioners, who provide the greatest representation of the profession to the public, to make decisions that are firmly grounded in knowledge that is obtained from research and clinical experiences.<br><br>The National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda provides directions to hygienists on priority research areas that can help advance the profession. The professional community must commit to using the NDHRA to guide research, enhance patient-centered care, improve the quality of services and foster other professional efforts.