Marie R. Paulis, R.D.H., MSDH

Marie R. Paulis Headshot
Assistant Professor
Director, Dental Hygiene Program

Allied Health Department
School of Health Sciences
Education

2008-2010
MSDH, Dental Hygiene Education
University of Bridgeport, Fones School of Dental Hygiene

  • Thesis: "Evaluation of Dental Hygiene Clinical Instructor Training on Clinical Teaching Skills: Student and Instructor Perceptions Among U.S. Dental Hygiene Programs"Practicum: Created Clinical Faculty Manual
  • Graduated Suma Cum Laude

2006-2008
BSDH, Dental Hygiene
University of Bridgeport, Fones School of Dental Hygiene

  • Internship: Didactic teaching Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice
  • Focus on Dental Hygiene Education

1990-1992
A.S., Dental Hygiene
University of Bridgeport, Fones School of Dental Hygiene
Academic Honors:

  • Dean’s List and Presidential Honors each semester
  • Phi Alpha Phi Outstanding Student of the Year
  • President’s Scholarship
  • Dr. Robert Strang Scholarship
  • Dr. Paul Liscio Community Services Award
  • Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society
About Marie

After gaining extensive clinical experience in both a general and periodontal practice for many years, Marie began her teaching career in 2006. Since August 2015, she has been a full-time faculty member at the University of New Haven in West Haven, where she currently serves as the Program Director of the Dental Hygiene Program. Marie enjoys teaching and getting to know her students as individuals. She believes that it is by forming relationships with students that the needs and talents of each individual can be fully explored and brought to their fullest potential.

Marie’s teaching focus areas have included clinic and Dental Public Health. Of special interest in the area of public health is access to care issues that surround dental care in Connecticut and around the United States. Her clinical experiences include leading a clinical trial conducted at the University of New Haven Dental Hygiene Clinic involving the potential development of a new toothpaste.

Professor Paulis has published in journals and magazines and is certified in the use of lasers by the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Marie has been active in her professional association, having served, throughout the years, in various component office positions including as the legislative chairperson.

Professional Memberships and Certifications

2014- American Academy of Laser Dentistry

1992- American Dental Hygienists’ Association

1992- CPR/Basic Life Support Certification for Healthcare Provider

1992- Connecticut State Dental Hygiene License # 005339

Publications
  • Paulis, M.R., (2019). Anxiety in the workplace; RDH, [to be published] Sept.
  • Paulis M., Kacerik M., (2018). Abstracts from the 2018 annual conference of the American Dental Hygienists' Association. J of Dent Hyg; 92, 73.
  • Paulis, M.R., (2018). The effects of energy drinks. Access; 2018 Jan.
  • Paulis, M. R., (2017). States could expand dental care access with midlevel providers. [Interview]. By: Glans, M. & Hamilton, M. The Heartland Institute. May 2, 2017. Available: https://www.heartland.org/news-opinion/news/states-could-expand-dental- care-access-with- midlevel-providers
  • Paulis, M.R., (2012). If you build it they will come. ADHA Spotlight for State and Local Officers. Retrieved from http://adha.org/spotlight/adha_spotlight.htm.
  • Paulis, M.R. (2011).  Comparison of dental hygiene clinical instructor and student opinions of professional preparation of clinical instructors.  Journal of Dental Hygiene, Nov. 2011.
  • Paulis, M.R. (2011). What keeps you up at night?  The prevalence of insomnia and treatment with nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics. Access; 2011 Jul.
  • Paulis, M.R. (2009). The influence of patient education by the dental hygienist: acceptance of the fluorescence oral cancer exam. Journal of Dental Hygiene,83(3):134-40.
  • Contributed to: Elliott-Smith, S. Oral cancer devices in the operatory. Access; 2008 Sep-Oct.
Recent Professional Presentations

June 2019 Presented Poster: "Incorporation of an "Attending Dental Hygienist" in Dental Hygiene Clinical Education"

  • Co-Authors: Mark Kacerik, RDH, MS, Renee Garcia-Prajer, RDH, MS, Gwen Grosso, RDH, MS
  • June 2, 2019
  • American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
  • Tampa, FL

April 2019 Presented: "Mental Health First Aid for the Dental Professional"

  • Dr Rachael Petitti, PhD., LCSW & Marie Paulis, RDH, MSDH
  • April 25, 2019
  • University of New Haven

March 2017 Presented: "Teaching Innovations in the Biomedical Sciences: Short Talks"

  • March 19, 2017
  • American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
  • Long Beach, California

Feb 2017 Presented "What is Your Career Path?"

  • February 12, 2017
  • ADHA-Connecticut Professional Development Day
  • CE: 2
  • New Haven, CT

Jan 2017 Presented: "Benefits of a Clinical Workshop for CDCA Examination Preparation"

  • January 13, 2017
  • For Commission on Dental Competency Assessments
  • Orlando, Fl

June 2016 Presented "Benefits of a Clinical Workshop for CDCA Examination Preparation"

  • June 17, 2016
  • For Commission on Dental Competency Assessments
  • Linthicum, Maryland

May 2016 Presented: Connecticut Dental Hygienist Association Legislative Updates

  • To Waterbury Dental Hygienists’ Association
  • Waterbury, CT

June 2015 Presented: "It’s All About That Stress! How to Recognize Students in Distress."

  • Presented at Clinical Educator’s Workshop, Fones School of Dental Hygiene
  • June 3rd, 2015; 1:00 pm-2:30 pm
  • University of Bridgeport

Nov 19, 2014 Presenter at Diabetes Symposium, "Improving the Lives of People with Diabetes," sponsored by Northeast Medical Group, Yale-New Haven

  • Held at R.D. Scinto Auditorium, 3 Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT
  • 8:00 am -1:00 pm
  • Speakers and Topics:
    • The Transition from Hospital to Home by Diane Sheehan, APRN
    • What to Eat if you Have Diabetes by Lisa Bishop, MS, RD, CDE
    • Diabetes and Gingival Disease, by Marie Paulis, RDH, MSDH
    • New Drugs for Diabetes, by Dr. Sandi-Jo Galati, MD, Endocrinologist
    • Questions and Answers, by Dr. Joseph Rosa, MD, Endocrinologist

Oct 2014 Presented: "Relevance of a Workshop to Prepare for the Dental Hygiene Clinical Exam"

  • Poster Session
  • 3rd North American/Global Dental Hygiene Research Conference, "Beyond the Boundaries: Discovery, Innovation and Transformation," Bethesda, Maryland

Sep 2014 Presented: "Aligning Outcomes with Your Canvas Course Content"

  • Introduced University faculty/attendees to key concepts of how to utilize existing Canvas features to create and incorporate measurable outcomes into quizzes, rubrics, and content
  • University of Bridgeport Faculty Development Day

Aug 2014 Presented: "Grab Your Students By Their Brains"

  • Presented at UB Naturopathic Faculty Development Workshop
  • 3-hour Presentation about utilizing technology in clinical and classroom teaching

June 2014 Presented: "Grab Your Students By Their Brains"

  • Fones Clinical Educators Workshop
  • 2-hour presentation about utilizing technology in clinical and classroom teaching to DH educators from Fones and other DH colleges
Service to Institution and the Profession

2016- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments

  • Appointed consultant member

2015- University of New Haven

  • University Academic Standards Committee (2018- present)
  • University Honors Committee (2018- present)
  • Dental Hygiene Program Curriculum Committee (2016-present)
  • Dental Hygiene Program Academic Standards Committee (2016-present)

2010-2017- Volunteer CT Mission of Mercy

2005-2015 University of Bridgeport

  • Committee Chair: University Student Advising Committee
  • Chair of Interview Committee for Clinical Full-time faculty position (2014)
  • Chair of Interview Committee for Clinical Full-time faculty position (2014)
  • University Faculty Council University of Bridgeport (2013-2015)
  • Member University Senate University of Bridgeport (2013-2015)

1992- present American Dental Hygienists’ Association

  • Various committee and board positions
Courses Taught

August 2015 - present; University of New Haven, West Haven, CT Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene, Dental Hygiene Department School of Health Sciences

  • DHYG 3360 Local Anesthesia (2019)
  • DHYG 1110 Introduction to Dental Hygiene II (2019 to present)
  • DHYG 1105 Introduction to Dental Hygiene I (2018 to present)
  • DHYG 4455 Dental Public Health (2017- present)
  • DHYG 4460 Advanced Dental Hygiene Concepts (2015-2017)
  • UNIV 1141 Common Course- Happiness (2017-2018)
  • DHYG 3350 Dental Hygiene Concepts (2015-2018)

August 2005- May 2015; University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene, Dental Hygiene Department, College of Health Sciences

  • DHYG 250 Dental Materials Lecture and Lab
  • DHYG 227 Clinical instructor/Clinical Coordinator
  • DHYG 228 Clinical instructor/Clinical Coordinator
  • DHYG 301 Instructional Strategies for the Healthcare Provider
  • DHYG 230L Local Anesthesia Lab
  • Master’s Thesis Advisor

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