DHG113: PROCESS OF CARE I

Develop an understanding of dental hygiene practice, preventive oral health interventions, health education and promotion and the link between oral and systemic health. Enhance the delivery of oral health care to patients by utilizing the dental hygiene process of care: assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation. Learn to apply principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision making and professional responsibility as they pertain to patient care, with an emphasis on the use of critical thinking strategies and evidence-based decision making for effective management of patients. Provide dental hygiene care to all patients of all age groups who exhibit varying levels of oral health and disease, with special attention given to patients with special needs including medical, physical, and physiological conditions. Introduce cultural diversity and competency as it relates to patient management to help develop and enhance interpersonal communication skills necessary to interact effectively with patients from diverse populations and communities. Focus on autonomous, intra-professional, and interprofessional collaboration and shared decision making with other health care professionals to provide comprehensive patient centered care.