DHS - Beginning
As a brand new program director in a brand new Dental Hygiene program in Georgia, I was concerned about my first class of students’ preparation for the National Board. Had we given them the information necessary to pass the Board? Would they be able to pass the Board? I noticed in a DH journal that there was a Board Review in Maryland prior to the exam and felt this would be a good opportunity for my faculty (and students!) to determine if we had prepared them adequately for the National Board.
I gave my students the option of attending the seminar and twelve out of fourteen decided that it would be worth the expense and time to attend the review course. After flying to Maryland and completing the three-day review, we all decided that we had, in fact, given our students all of the information they needed to take the exam. And when the Big Day came – they all took the National Board and PASSED!!
I felt that the Maryland Board Review was worth the time and expense to attend, but realized that travel would be a financial concern for many students. I had worked as a clinical hygienist for Emory School of Dentistry prior to becoming the program director at Lanier Tech and realized that I had enough contacts through the dental school to conduct a review course in our area.
So… after finding qualified presenters to participate in the review… We sent flyers to the local DH programs in Georgia informing them of our FIRST National Board Review in Atlanta. We received over 100 registrations for the seminar but the meeting room could only host 90 people! The hotel management told us not to worry because, based on their experience, many people who register for meetings, don’t actually attend them. This seminar was the exception! Not only did we have all of our registrants attending the meeting, we had an additional number that showed up “at the door”. We made it work and the review course was a success! And after that we received requests from Dental Hygiene Programs across the United States to offer seminars in their areas.
Thus, Dental Hygiene Seminars was born! After 31 years, DHS is still going strong, having presented seminars to over 20,000 dental hygiene students in over 15 states. I am proud to be a part of the many success stories of hygiene students who have attended DHS review courses and moved on to exciting and rewarding careers. My mission to bring Dental Hygiene Board Review to a city near you still holds true.
Heather Mapp
President DHS Seminars
R.D.H. M.Ed.
Our Team
Heather Mapp
R.D.H., M.Ed., PRESIDENT DENTAL HYGIENE SEMINARS
Heather has been a licensed Dental Hygienist, Program Director and educator since 1974. She founded Dental Hygiene Seminars in 1991.
Dr. Pete Kole
Ph.D., VICE PRESIDENT DENTAL HYGIENE SEMINARS
Dr. Kole is a co-founder and vice president of Dental Hygiene Seminars and received his Ph.D. from Georgia State University, where he served as the Director of Instructor Training Institute for 20 years.
services we provide
Quality Speakers
We believe that it is impossible to adequately cover all the material on the National Board Exam with just one or two speakers.
We believe that it is impossible to adequately cover all the material on the National Board Exam with just one or two speakers. All of our presenters are experts in their subject area, with an average of 7-10 speakers at each location. Each speaker has achieved an advanced degree in Dental Hygiene or Dentistry and has many years of teaching and clinical experience. Each speaker is familiar with previous National Board questions, content and subtypes. In addition, each presenter is familiar with the computer test format.
Comprehensive Review
Special emphasis is given to the modern computer format of the Board Exam, as well as stress reduction.
A comprehensive review of all subjects covered on the Board Exam, as well as test-taking strategies. Special emphasis is given to the modern computer format of the Board Exam, as well as stress reduction and positive self-talk and motivation techniques. Mnemonics, learning aids, and strategies for answering multiple-choice questions are given at each seminar.
Board Formatting
The ADA is constantly updating the National Board Exam, including the addition of new question types and subtypes.
Detailed understanding of this year’s Board format. The ADA is constantly updating the National Board Exam, including the addition of new question types and subtypes. This can create problems and confusion for test taker, but DHS is ready to prepare you! We are very familiar with newer question types and will work to prepare you throughout the seminar with tips and tricks to confidently approach them. Not only do we provide you with multiple practice questions in the NEW Board format in both our review book and lectures, but we also have questions in the new format on our interactive Mock Board exam that is the closest thing you can find to the real test! No other review seminar prepares you for these areas, which is one more reason why DHS is #1 in the nation.