Gwen Grosso, R.D.H., M.S.
Allied Health Department
School of Health Sciences
Education
A.S. in Dental Hygiene from Hudson Valley Community College
B.S. in Dental Hygiene from University of New Haven
M.S. in Education from University of Bridgeport
About Gwen
Gwen has been in academia for 24 years and a practicing hygienist for 35 years. She has taught in a variety of clinical and public health settings. She teaches at both the associate and baccalaureate levels. She currently teaches Pharmacology and Pain Management, Periodontology, and Principles of Communication for Health Professionals. She has been responsible for coordinating the junior clinic at the University of New Haven. Other areas of teaching experience include: dental hygiene research, dental public health, local anesthesia, and mentoring degree completion student projects and internships.
She has developed a course in accordance with the Connecticut Dental Hygiene Practice Act, to educate registered dental hygienists and University of New Haven students in the certification of Local Anesthesia. Her professional speaking engagements included invitations from Old Dominion University and the University of Maryland to present the Local Anesthesia certification course to faculty.
Gwen is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists, Association. Her service includes Treasurer and Chair of the Danbury of the Dental Hygienists' Association. She also serves as the Student American Dental Hygienists' Association advisor, working with students to foster an interest in professional involvement and community service.
In 2017, Gwen received appointment to the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) as a dental hygiene examiner.
Professional Memberships and Certifications
State of Connecticut Dental Hygiene License, # 003998
State of Florida Dental Hygiene License, # 20629
American Dental Hygienists' Association
CPR Certification
Local Anesthesia Certification
Select Publications
2011
Grosso, G Prajer, R. (2011) DH Notes: A Dental Hygienists’ Chairside Pocket Guide. Philadelphia: FA Davis Company
2011
Referred Publication - "X-ploring Metabolic Syndrome"
D’Amato-Palumbo S, Janiero M, Prajer R, Grosso G. (In-press). " X-ploring Metabolic Syndrome." Dentalcare.com, The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,
https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/professional-education/ce-courses
2015
Co-authored a chapter titled "Local Anesthesia and Pain Management" to be included in a dental hygiene text, Dental Hygiene: Application to Clinical Practice. Publication Date 2015
2017
Grosso, G Prajer, R. (2011) DH Notes: A Dental Hygienists’ Chairside Pocket Guide. Philadelphia: FA Davis Company, 2nd edition
Service to Institution and the Profession
Dental Hygiene Full Time Faculty Committee
Dental Hygiene Accreditation Committee
Dental Hygiene Curriculum Committee
Dental Hygiene Academic Standards Committee
Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association Advisor 1999-2012, 2014-present
Faculty Advisor for the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota 2008-2015
Advisor, University of New Haven Student Conduct Board 2013-present
American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Component Treasurer, 2000-2014
Living Learning Community Health and Wellness Advisor 2014-2017
Membership Chairperson for Danbury Dental Hygienists’ Association 2007- 2014
Courses Taught
University of New Haven, West Haven, CT
Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene, Dental Hygiene Department
School of Health Sciences
2003-present
Clinical instructor DHYG 3330, DHYG 3350, DHYG 4460
Teaching Responsibilities:
- Dental Hygiene 3320 Pharmacology
- Dental Hygiene 3360 Local Anesthesia
- Dental Hygiene 3350 Concepts
- Dental Hygiene 4460 Advanced Concepts
- Dental Hygiene 3327 Periodontology
- Dental Hygiene 4462 Internship
- Dental Hygiene 4468 Senior Project
- Junior Clinic Coordinator