Rate My Professor Rebel Chapa

Rebel Chapa serves as an instructor and DH1 Clinic Coordinator in the Department of Dental Hygiene within the Health Science pathway at Tarrant County College's Northeast Campus. A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), she earned an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Tarrant County College, graduating in 2006. Chapa advanced her academic career by completing a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She then pursued a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (MSDH) at the same institution from 2015 to 2017, where she benefited from rigorous coursework, educational research opportunities, and mentorship from qualified professors as she transitioned into higher education. Joining Tarrant County College as faculty in 2012, Chapa, an alumna of the program, has dedicated herself to clinical coordination and student instruction. She has expressed the rewards of her role: “They have to put sharp things in people’s mouths, and that’s kind of scary. Watching them kind of build those skills and start to trust themselves more is very satisfying. Once they kind of make it through the program, they feel pretty accomplished. They feel empowered.” Her career trajectory reflects a commitment to both clinical practice and educational excellence in dental hygiene.

Chapa's research specializations include geriatric dentistry and the integration of elder abuse training in dental hygiene curricula. Her master's thesis examined the extent of elder abuse education, culminating in the 2019 peer-reviewed article 'Extent of Elder Abuse Training in Dental Hygiene Curricula and Program Directors’ Perceptions of Importance of and Barriers to Implementation,' published in the Journal of Dental Education. This work highlighted that 83.3% of responding programs include such training, typically for one to three hours, while identifying barriers and perceptions of graduate competency. She presented related research at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association annual session. In 2024, Chapa co-presented 'Enhancing Student Engagement with the Team-Based Learning Strategy' at the 82nd Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association Conference. As Co-chair of the Professional Development Committee for Dental Hygiene Educators of Texas, she contributes to advancing educator resources. Chapa has engaged in public outreach, co-presenting on the links between oral health and overall health, including cardiovascular connections, at a 2016 Northeast Campus event. Through her publications, presentations, committee service, and teaching, Chapa impacts dental hygiene education and prepares students to address critical health issues.