Bernicemills

University of New England celebrates 50th year with dental hygiene program

May 2, 2013
The University of New England’s dental hygiene program celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1st with a ceremony at its Portland, Maine, campus.

Bernice Mills hosted ceremony celebrating 50th anniversary.

The University of New England’s dental hygiene program celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1st with a ceremony at its Portland, Maine, campus. The school’s first class graduated in 1963. The dental hygiene program’s director, Bernice Mills, who graduated from the school in 1976, hosted the ceremony.

Darryl Geer, UNE Dental Hygiene Class of 1964, attended the ceremony.

The event featured a video researched and coordinated by Lauren Cummings of the Class of 2013.

Accredited by the American Dental Association, students of UNE’s dental hygiene program are provided with an education that prepares them for distinctive dental hygiene careers. Third and fourth year students, under the close supervision of quality faculty, spend 12 to 16 hours per week providing direct patient care in the on-campus clinic to approximately 5,000 patients of all ages each year.

Members of the 2013 graduating class.

UNE offers both a four-year bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene and a bachelor of science completion degree program where students develop a thorough knowledge of dental hygiene theories and practices, study the important aspects of dental hygiene care and learn how to prevent oral disease. The program is part of UNE's Westbrook College of Health Professions.