Robin Kerkstra, RDH, MSDH

Robin Kerkstra Image
Assistant Professor
Allied Health Department

School of Health Sciences
Education

2017
Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science University, MA

  • Thesis: Examiner Versus Camera Supervised OSCE Performance with Dental Hygiene Students, Does Test Anxiety Matter?
  • Alpha Eta Honor Society

2010
Bachelor of Integrative Studies
Ferris State University, MI

  • Magna Cum Laude

1993
Associates of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene
Indiana University, IN

About Robin Kerkstra

Robin was born and raised in Western Michigan near Grand Rapids and relocated to Connecticut to work with the University of New Haven. She loves to incorporate new learning strategies and technology in the classroom to meet students’ learning needs.

Robin is coordinating the junior level clinic activities and lecturing for the dental hygiene department in the School of Health Sciences at UNH. Her research and publications are in the dental hygiene field of education related to student test anxiety and summative clinical assessments. Robin is also writing a new chapter for a dental hygiene textbook. She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association, American Dental Educators Association, and an honorary member of the Alpha Eta Honor Society. She has led teams in community events including Mission of Mercy. She is proud to be a part of the UNH faculty who are passionate about students’ education and influencing the future.

Professional Memberships and Certifications

Member, Alpha Eta Honor Society

Member, American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Member, American Dental Education Association

Member, ADEA Dental Hygiene Section

Select Publications

Kerkstra, R., Giblin, L., Smallidge, D., Perry, K., & Baragar, C. (2018). Pilot Study: Examiner Versus Camera Supervised OSCE Performance with Dental Hygiene Students, Does Test Anxiety Matter? Journal of Dental Education September 2018, 82 (9) 968-973; DOI: https://doi.org/10.21815/JDE.018.096.

Service to Institution and the Profession

5/2018: Mission of Mercy, Grand Rapids, MI
Leadership Committee, Volunteer

3/2016: Senior Dental Day, Grand Rapids, MI
Committee Member, Volunteer

1998-2015: Children’s Dental Health Presentations
Presenter, On-site Oral Health Promotion Presentations with Community Elementary Schools

5/2014:Mission of Mercy, Big Rapids, MI
Volunteer

Courses Taught

August 2019; University of New Haven, West Haven CT

  • DHYG 3330 (didactic): Dental Hygiene Concepts II
  • DHYG 3331 (clinic): Dental Hygiene Concepts II
  • DHYG 3350 (didactic):Dental Hygiene Concepts III
  • DHYG 3351 (clinic): Dental Hygiene Concepts III
  • DHYG 4460 (didactic): Dental Hygiene Concepts IV
  • DHYG 4463 (clinic): Dental Hygiene Concepts IV

August 2015-May 2018; Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI

  • DHY 257 (Didactic): Advanced Treatment Modalities and Evaluation in Dental Hygiene (Course Director)
  • DHY 259 (Clinic): Clinical Dental Hygiene 3 (Senior Clinic Coordinator)
  • DHY 240 (Lab): Pain Management/Local Anesthesia (Lab Co-director)
  • DHY 242 (Didactic): Advanced Instrumentation and Treatment Modalities (Course Director)
  • DHY 249 (Clinic): Clinical Dental Hygiene 2 (Senior Clinic Coordinator)
  • DHY 138 (Didactic): Dental Hygiene Patient Care and Management (Course Director)
  • DHY 139 (Clinic): Clinical Dental Hygiene 1 (Senior Clinic Coordinator)
  • DHY 124 (Didactic): Dental Morphology and Function (Course Director)

September 2002-May 2014; Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI

  • DHY 105 (Clinic): Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice 1
  • DHY 233 (Clinic): Dental Hygiene Practice 4
  • DHY 126 (Clinic): Dental Hygiene Practice 2
  • DHY 222 (Clinic): Dental Hygiene Practice 3
  • DHY 280 (Didactic): National Board Exam Preparation (Course Director)

News and In the Media