Dr. Sharon Compton

Biography

Sharon Compton is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, specializing in dental hygiene. She has extensive experience in educational research focusing on oral health issues among older adult populations. Dr. Compton oversees the Master of Sciences in Medical Sciences (Dental Hygiene) program and heads the Educational Research & Scholarship Unit at the School of Dentistry. Her research interests include the assessment of oral health among seniors, distance education methodologies in dental hygiene, and the barriers to access dental care for the elderly. Dr. Compton has a rich scholarly background with numerous publications that examine various aspects of dental education and hygiene practices, particularly regarding graduate students and the challenges faced by practitioners in the field. She has been instrumental in developing courses that integrate critical appraisal and research methodologies into dental hygiene education, empowering students with the necessary skills to make informed practice decisions. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Alberta and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. With a commitment to advancing dental education and improving patient care, Dr. Compton continues to contribute significantly to her field.

Research Interests

Experience