Mastering Your NNHH Capstone Project: A Guide to Success

The National Network of Healthcare Hygienists (NNHH) offers exceptional training programs that empower dental professionals to become leaders in oral-systemic health. A crucial component of these workforce development programs is the capstone project, a requirement designed to translate your newfound knowledge into real-world impact. While the project is not graded in a traditional sense, its completion is a mandatory step toward earning your certificate of completion. This guide will walk you through the process of completing a successful NNHH capstone project, drawing inspiration from the impressive work of your peers.

Understanding the Capstone Project

The NNHH capstone project is an open-ended assignment with a simple yet profound goal: community impact. You are tasked with educating at least one healthcare provider, though the aim is to reach as many as possible. Any non-dental provider qualifies, and medical students also qualify. 

The format is flexible, allowing you to tailor your project to your strengths and the needs of your audience. Whether you create a slide presentation and leave brochures, lead an informal discussion answering their questions and focusing on understanding their needs, or somewhere in between, the focus is on effectively sharing your expertise. Canva makes it easy to create slides and brochures you can share, but it is acceptable to not use them, or use resources someone else has created.

To ensure the integrity of the program, NNHH requires you to document:

• The date
• The time
• The location (physical address, virtual presentations must be approved)
• The topic of your presentation
• A contact person for verification
• The attendees
• Option 1: Names and provider types via a sign in sheet if you’d like to network with them and capture the email addresses of those willing to collaborate and accept referrals
• Option 2: A general count and description of the attendees 
• ex: 15 nursing students, or 6 palliative care providers
• Dental providers may attend, but the focus is on non-dental providers of any discipline, unless otherwise stated such as the Oncology program which requires oncology providers be in attendance. 

This straightforward process allows for a wide range of creative and impactful projects.

Inspiring Capstone Project Examples

NNHH certificate holders have demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in their capstone projects, showcasing the diverse ways you can fulfill this requirement. Here are a few examples to spark your imagination:

• A hygienist from Iowa educated providers in an oncology setting for her capstone project. She found it interesting to explore what knowledge they already had about the oral cavity and to hear the thoughtful questions they asked. She was able to draw on the knowledge she gained throughout this course to offer guidance on managing oral symptoms that oncology patients often experience. She said, “These discussions not only reinforced my learning but also strengthened my ability to problem-solve in complex clinical situations."
• A hygienist in Massachusetts completed her Capstone Project for the Oral Systemic Educator Certificate Program, titled "Perio-Respiratory Relationship in Healthcare Settings." She presented to 90 pharmacy and physician-assistant students! Think of the impact she had that will span their entire careers.
• A hygienist from Virginia said her Professional Development Capstone Project boosted her confidence in the leadership arena. She improved time efficiency in her office, and plans to continue to help her team identify projects that can be studied and refined to improve case acceptance.
• A hygienist from South Dakota educated a group of passionate speech and language therapists at their annual convention with a presentation titled "Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders: Screening, Strategies, and the Whole-Body Impact” to complete her capstone for the Oral Systemic Educator Certificate Program. Even though she was uncomfortable getting up in front of a crowd, she is glad she stepped beyond her comfort zone saying, "I got a lot of encouraging feedback; many asked for access to my lecture presentation, and many asked for my contact info and referral information! It was a huge step for me and it was self confirming for me on my knowledge of the subject. It was rewarding to share my airway knowledge and show how my work can complement the SLP side so we can work together to help more individuals."
• A hygienist from California received permission to present virtually. She is excited to have the foundation of her oral systemic presentation complete, and plans to tailor it to the specialty field she is addressing in the future - Oncology. She is already enrolled in that program and building her next capstone presentation. One of the NPs she educated said she appreciated the strategies she taught to incorporate dental awareness and referrals without adding time to her already limited time with patients.
• A hygienist from Louisiana educated a group of oncology providers for her capstone project, and said "As an educator in a dental hygiene program, I felt this (oncology care) was a missing piece of the patient care puzzle. I plan to incorporate what I have learned into our curriculum!"

To read many more impactful capstone project ideas, head over to the NNHH Facebook Page and scroll down, looking for the “Congratulations” posts. Sharing your achievement is not required. It is optional.

Keys to a Successful Capstone Project

Based on the experiences of NNHH certificate holders, here are some key strategies for a successful capstone project:

Strategy 1: Identify Your Passion 

Choose a topic that genuinely interests you and aligns with your certificate program. Your enthusiasm will be contagious and make the project more impactful for them and more rewarding for you.

Strategy 2: Know Your Audience 

Tailor your content and delivery to the specific needs and knowledge level of your audience. Whether you are presenting to physicians, nurses, or physical therapists, your message should be relevant and accessible. Perform an informal needs assessment via a survey prior to planning your project, to ensure you are giving them the information and education they feel they need most. Like you, they already feel swamped day to day, so keep time in mind. They appreciate any resources you create or share, especially if they can print them as needed.

Strategy 3: Embrace Flexibility

Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Your capstone project can take many forms, from a formal presentation to an informal lunch-and-learn. Choose the format that best suits your topic, audience and personality.

Strategy 4: Focus on Impact 

The goal of the capstone project is to make a difference. Whether you educate one person or fifty, your efforts contribute to the broader mission of integrating oral health into overall healthcare. Don't overwhelm them with everything you know, leave them with one or two impactful changes they can make to their routine to address oral-systemic health.

Strategy 5: Document Everything

Keep meticulous records of your project, including the date, time, location, topic, and attendees. This will ensure a smooth and successful audit of your certificate of completion application.

Team Based Learning

Some program participants enroll as a team. While most programs at NNHH are created by hygienists, for hygienists, dentists and dental therapists are able to enroll due to AGD PACE guidelines. If you want to complete a capstone project as a team, please ensure that all students educate for the minimum amount of time required for that program, which is typically 30 minutes.

Explore all NNHH Certificate Programs HERE

Conclusion

The NNHH capstone project is more than just a requirement; it is an opportunity to apply your knowledge, make a tangible impact, and become a leader in the field of oral-systemic health. By drawing inspiration from the creative and impactful projects of your peers, you can design a capstone project that is both personally and professionally rewarding. 

Still have questions? Email certificate program management at [email protected]