Debate in the Classroom Improves Student Learning and Cultural Relativism

Recorded On: 09/22/2022

In clinical practice, rarely is there agreement about the best means for addressing oral health inequity. Debate is an exercise through which diverse learning communities can strengthen their cultural relativism, team building, listening skills, evidence-based analysis of an issue, professional advocacy, oral health advocacy and oral presentation skills. As an instructional method, debate creates a civil forum to allow students to gain understanding pertaining to social justice, oral health policy and diversity/inclusiveness from two competing perspectives. Students discover new information in a safe environment and learn how to put knowledge into action.

Join us in this complimentary webinar where we’ll hear the faculty at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry share how they incorporated debate into the learning experience.

Learning Objectives:

Describe how debate has been used to enhance students’ learning experience and improves student perspectives of cultural relativism.
Assess strategies to implement debates in the classroom to create a safe learning environment.

Original Release Date: Sept. 22, 2022

Expiration Date: Sept. 22, 2025

Questions? Contact learn@adea.org

CE Information

The American Dental Education Association is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

An evaluation form is available to participants after the conclusion of the live webinar. To earn continuing education (CE) credit for participation in the webinar, the online evaluation must be completed in full by Sept. 22, 2025. After completing the evaluation, webinar participants can print and save the CE Verification Form.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

The American Dental Education Association designates this activity for 0.75 continuing education credit.

All speakers agree that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Anjum Shah, B.S.D.H., Ed.D.

Pasco Hernando State College

Anjum Shah holds a Doctor of Education degree and a Post Master's Leadership in Higher Education Certificate from the University of South Florida. Dr. Shah is a Professor at Pasco Hernando State College Dental Hygiene Program. Prior to her current role, she was the Dental Hygiene Graduate Program Director at The Ohio State University. Her professional experience includes serving as an adjunct dental hygiene faculty member at St. Petersburg College and as an Associate Professor and Chair of Dental Hygiene Program Admissions at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Shah has an extensive educational background in higher education teaching and learning, curriculum development, higher education administration, and student affairs.

Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Tammy Swecker, M.Ed., B.S.D.H.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Tammy Swecker, B.S.D.H., M.Ed., is an associate professor and interim program director in the dental hygiene program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), School of Dentistry, where she serves as the junior clinical coordinator, teaches Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care, Practice Management and Management of the Medically Compromised Patient. Her expertise lies in treating medically compromised patients in a hospital setting and curricular innovation techniques. Swecker is an author, has presented on the local, state and national levels and earned numerous teaching awards to include ADEA Professor of the Semester, VCU Outstanding Alumnus Award, Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award for Educational Innovation and VCU’s Exemplary University-Community Partnership in Teaching and Learning Award.

Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Presentation Slides