Introduction
In Trisha’s own words, “My name is Trisha O’Hehir and I am one of the three founders of the university that bears my name. OHU provides a degree completion program designed specifically for diploma, certificate and associate degree dental hygienists who want to complete their bachelor’s degree. In the near future, a master’s degree program will be added and eventually a PhD program will be offered. The mission of OHU is to provide a learning environment for RDHs to reflect on the state of oral health today and develop preventive strategies and employment opportunities to bring optimal oral health to all consumers, not just those who visit a dental practice. The vision of OHU is to end dental disease. If you are passionate about prevention and have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, become an OHU student and discover the next generation of you”.
Interview Topics
– Trisha’s background
– Why a A.S. Dental Hygiene degree is really a B.S. degree
– How hygiene education compares to other medical professions at a similar level
– Taking prevention to the next level
– OHU’s 6 month program details
– Taking action beyond the traditional clinic efforts
– Being a oral health coach
– Why the old prevention message doesn’t work
– Reflective/Inquiry learning and how it’s used at OHU
– The inefficiency of traditional education
– Starting the OHU program with a SWOT analysis
– Advantages of being international
– Why more independence for hygienists would be positive for everyone, including dentists
– Accreditation
– Cost-effectiveness of the OHU program
– Registration process
Links
http://www.ohehiruniversity.com
Video
Mark Frias, RDH
http://MarkRDH.com
I love everything I heard on this interview. She is amazing. Great interview, Mark!
Jackie, would you like to buy the Brooklyn Bridge?
O’Herir has no accreditation, which means their degrees are worthless in the job market and even illegal in some states. They make ridiculous claims on their website, such as “Regional accreditation is a closed system by which the accredited schools accredit each other” (which is false…the regional accreditation bodies are not schools themselves), and try to justify their lack of accreditation by attacking and undermining the entire process itself. Hmm…why they do this? Why would someone attack a process of quality assurance?
Because they’re selling snake oil. They don’t teach anything, they just hand out transfer credit for previous studies, make someone do 4 courses and a thesis (two courses are “Relective Practice” and “Reflective Writing”, whatever those are) and print up a worthless degree that only a fool would accept. You love what you heard because every scam artist has a pitch that tells you exactly what you want to hear, and hopes you won’t ask any pertinent questions as you fork over cash.
PS I’d tell you more about that bridge, but unfortunately those pesky law enforcement officials might get in the way of this wonderful opportunity with all their “laws”.
PPS: Who names a university after themselves?
Trisha, I took a CE Course on Mouth Breathing through RDH Under One Roof and would truly love notes from this class. It appeared that you were going to prepare notes for those who participated, and if we emailed you you would send them to us. I would very much love a hard copy of this information.
Thank you!
Colleen Bethurem RDH