Mark Kacerik

Education

M.S. Education, University of Bridgeport

B.S. Dental Hygiene, University of Bridgeport

Certified in Local Anesthesia, State of Connecticut

Instructor Certification, BLS for Health Care Providers, American Heart Association

Published Books and Atricles

Kacerik M: “The Role of Periodontal Inflammation in Atherosclerosis” Journal of Practical Hygiene 2007; July/August, 20-21  

Kacerik M:“Criteria for Achieving Effective Plaque and Calculus Removal” Journal of Practical Hygiene 2006; September, 20

Prajer R, Kacerik M: ‘Treating Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease” Dimensions of Dental Hygiene 2006; September, 24-26

Kacerik M: “Advancements in Instruments for Periodontal Debridement” Journal of Practical Hygiene 2006; May, 21-31

Kacerik M, Prajer R: “The Benefits of Xylitol for Fresh Breath and Caries Prevention” Journal of Practical Hygiene 2006; Jan/Feb, 31-32

Kacerik M, Prajer R, Conrad C: “Ethics instruction in the Dental Hygiene Curriculum” Journal of Dental Hygiene 2006; 80, 1-13

Courses Taught

DH 220 Dental Hygiene Concepts I
DH 240 Dental Hygiene Concepts II

Other

Mr. Kacerik joined the Department of Dental Hygiene at the University of New Haven in 2000. Mark has sixteen years of teaching, administrative and clinical dental hygiene experience. With a broad range of experience it is his role as an educator that he enjoys the most.  “There is a great reward in seeing students solve problems, reason and apply the knowledge they have gained from their studies.  It’s exciting to be a part of it!”  Mark has taught at all levels of the dental hygiene clinical curriculum, currently he is responsible for coordinating the sophomore clinic at the University of New Haven, which provides students with the foundation for future dental hygiene practice.  Other areas of teaching experience include: dental hygiene research, instructional planning and media, radiology, local anesthesia, and mentoring degree completion student projects and internships.

Although most of his professional career has been in education he has always found time to stay active in clinical practice.  “I feel it’s important as an educator to devote some time to clinical practice, it gives you credibility in the classroom and real life experience to draw upon and share with your students.”

Mark’s professional speaking engagements included invitations from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Connecticut Dental Hygienists, local components and the Dental Hygiene National Honor Society, Sigma Phi Alpha.  Lecturing on case based test items, special needs clients, periodontal instrumentation, local anesthesia, medical emergencies and, ethics instruction in the dental hygiene curriculum.  Mark has numerous publications including: the Journal of Dental Hygiene, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene and the Journal of Practical Hygiene.  He is also a contributor to the Connecticut Dental Hygienists’ Associations News Letter: HyLight. His other professional affiliations include the editorial review board for the Journal of Practical Hygiene and member of the National Board Dental Hygiene II Test Construction Committee.

Mark is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists, Association. His service includes: Secretary of the Connecticut Dental Hygienists’ Association, President of the Bridgeport Dental Hygienists’ Association, Awards Committee Chair and Connecticut Dental Hygienists, Association Delegate.  He also serves as the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association advisor, working with students to foster an interest in professional involvement and community service.