Dental Hygiene

This course is a basic orientation to the principles of nutrition. Topics include digestion, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, the utilization of energy and metabolism. The role of vitamins, minerals and nutrients are emphasized and their role in maintaining healthy oral tissues. The role of the dental hygienist in nutritional assessment and counseling are highlighted.

This course presents the didactic and laboratory components of pre-clinical dental hygiene theory. A firm foundation in infection control procedures, dental hygiene process of care, client assessment, and oral infection control, fluoride therapies and disease prevention are highlighted. In preparation for advancing patient care, the following topics are presented: CPR and management of medical emergencies, OHSA regulations, Blood Born Pathogen Standard, Hazard Communication Standard, and CDC Guidelines.

Information presented in this course is designed to develop a firm foundation for the dental hygiene student in morphology and function of the head, neck and oral structures. Topics presented include the formation of the face (nervous system, muscles, etc.) development and growth of the jaws and the origin and stages of tooth and root formation and development.

This course is a continuation of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology of Facial Structures I. This is a continuation of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology of Facial Structures I and presents an in-depth coverage of the anatomy of the teeth and surrounding soft tissues. In addition, eruption sequences and occlusion are highlighted.

This course is designed to enable beginning dental hygiene students to assess the systemic and oral health of the client and allow for the delivery of clinical dental hygiene preventive and therapeutic care appropriate at the novice or DHG 100 level.

This course is designed to enable beginning dental hygiene students to assess the systemic and oral health of the client and allow for the delivery of clinical dental hygiene preventive and therapeutic care appropriate at the novice or DHG 100 level.

In this course, the dental hygiene student continues to acquire basic clinic competencies in patient assessments, radiographic techniques, patient education techniques and delivery of preventive and therapeutic services. Additional topics include evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy and attainment of patient’s goals. The student is expected to provide services in a more autonomous process.

This capstone course is intended to furnish the upper-level dental hygiene student with an opportunity to demonstrate competency in the process of care for diverse patient populations. Utilizing case studies, students assess findings, formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis, plan, implement and evaluate intervention strategies for a variety of diverse communities. Selected projects provide opportunities for proficiency in critical thinking skills and evidence-based decision making. Students will take a simulation of the written Dental Hygiene National Board Examination.

This course is a continuation of DAS114. Advanced topics will include digital radiography, intro oral photography, interpretation of films, extra oral radiography, advanced exposure techniques and the clinical management of patients with clinical or systemic issues.

The intent of this course is to acquaint the dental hygiene student with the fundamentals of Periodontology. Topics include the basics of the epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, neurology, lymphatics and hematology of the periodontium in health and disease. A detailed discussion of the classification and etiology of periodontal diseases (periodontitis and gingivitis) is presented as well as clinical and radiographic assessments and systemic conditions affecting pathology.

This course is designed to emphasize the role of the dental hygienist in health promotion, as educator and resource person. The knowledge and experiences will assist the dental hygiene student in developing and enhancing interpersonal communication skills necessary to interact effectively with patients from diverse populations and communities. An introduction to cultural diversity and competency as it relates to patient management is presented. A participatory segment of this course explores the various methods used in health promotion and disease prevention programs (e.g., educational strategies, group and individual processes, community approaches). These education methods are tailored for diverse settings and populations. Topics include community efforts in tobacco cessation counseling programs, nutritional counseling programs and pit and fissure sealant placement programs. In addition, students will develop educational aids for individualized oral hygiene instructions.

This course introduces the history and principles of community dental health and health care delivery systems. Topics include the prevention of oral disease, development of public policy, and implementation of community efforts to enlighten the public. Issues surrounding access to care, managed care, private practice, independent practice, as well as trends in dental insurance reimbursement are presented. In addition, students will gain insight into research design and statistical methods and evaluation by participating in a table clinic or poster research project. Selected current topics in international healthcare are presented. The student will participate in a community-based program from the planning stage through to evaluation.

This course presents processes of inflammation, wound healing, repair, regeneration and immunological responses. Topics include oral manifestations of systemic diseases, genetics, and developmental anomalies of the oral cavity. In addition, commonly encountered diseases and disorders of the head and neck will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing the differences between the pathological and normal tissues.

This course is designed to provide the student with a knowledge and understanding of basic pharmacology specific to clinical situations and with emphasis on dental hygiene practice. The pharmacology of pain control is presented in detail.

This course is designed to refine the psychomotor instrumentation skills of dental hygiene students. Students are expected to complete oral assessment and delivery of dental hygiene services in an independent manner. The students will have experiences with special care patient populations, pediatric clients and radiologic interpretations. Treatment plans will be written with more comprehensive components. An emerging portfolio of foundational competencies is expected at the completion of this course.

This course is a continuation of DHG 297 and is designed to refine the psychomotor instrumentation skills of dental hygiene students. Students are expected to complete oral assessment and delivery of dental hygiene services in an independent manner. The students will have experiences with special care patient populations, pediatric clients and radiologic interpretations. Treatment plans will be written with more comprehensive components.

This is a companion course with DHG 298 is intended for the student who will incorporate all components of the process of care and will recognize and implement evaluation methods in an independent manner. It is expected that the dental hygiene student will begin to incorporate the basics of autonomous decision-making in the process of patient care. A burgeoning portfolio of foundational competencies is expected at the completion of this course.