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Description
Practical application of dental hygiene theories and techniques, with emphasis on individual patient’s oral health needs and the further development of oral prophylactic and radiographic techniques, including the preparation of diagnostic aids and patient education. Students will gain experience through work in their on-campus clinical assignments.
Prerequisites
Students are required to pass prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher. Exceptions apply; please consult your department chair.
- Current CPR certification
- NHTI health clearance
Corequisite Courses
- Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques when providing dental hygiene care. (CG-1)
- Apply effective interview techniques to question a parent, child, women, and elders for information using open-ended questioning. (CG-1,2,3)
- Employ proper infection control protocol to prevent disease transmission before, during, and after the provision of dental hygiene services. (CG-1)
- Describe the necessary modifications to dental hygiene treatment based on a risk assessment of the patient’s health history, special needs, ASA classification, psychological status, and medications. (CG-1,2)
- Describe and document significant findings in the patient record using precise, descriptive terms. (CG-1)
- Demonstrate total patient care scenario through ideal dental hygiene care planning, intervention, and evaluation of a periodontal case study that includes a comprehensive analysis of the patient's periodontium using medical history findings, assessment, and radiographic data. (CG 1,2 and 3)
- Recognize a patient’s risk factors for oral disease that requires intervention and use of therapeutic topical agents for disease management that include fluoride, antimicrobial agents, and local delivery/controlled release agents. (CG 1,3)
- Demonstrate the correct use of the dental instrumentation for the detection of deposits, probe measurements, and removal of calculus deposits with the proper use of fulcrums and consideration of tooth irregularities without trauma to hard or soft tissues. (CG- 1,3)
- Apply the principles of appropriate instrument sharpening technique to maintain the original shape and effectiveness of the instrument in patient care. (CG-1)
- Demonstrate the effective removal of extrinsic stain with mechanical polishing techniques using the selective polishing theory of indications and contraindications of the use of mechanical polishing. (CG-1,2,3)
- Apply pain and anxiety management strategies that include the application of topical anesthetics and the administration of block and infiltration anesthesia that helps mitigate local and systemic complications due to the injection of local anesthetic solutions, including the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. (CG- 1,2,3)
- Critically evaluate the effectiveness of clinical dental hygiene interventions that align with patient goals and self-care assessment based on clinical assessment findings during the process of follow-up patient care. (CG 2,3)
- Apply the principles of professional and ethical behavior when providing patient care to include comprehensive risk assessment, proper documentation, and patient confidentiality. (CG-1,2)
- Perform and evaluate effective dental auxiliary tasks that including; placement of pit and fissure sealants, alginate impressions; pouring, separating, and trimming of study models. (CG-1,2,3)
- Demonstrate competent radiographic techniques in understanding when there is a need to expose a patient and be able to: developing, evaluating, and interpret intraoral and extraoral films. (CG-1,2)
- Perform dietary counseling with an emphasis on oral health. (CG- 1,2,3)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the proper techniques in the care of osseointegrated dental implants and care of a dental prosthetic for patient populations that require this competency. (CG- 1,2,3)
- Demonstrate the accepted methods for the prevention of medical emergencies and value the dental hygiene role in implementing life support methods articulated by the American Heart Association standards in preventing and managing emergencies. (CG-1,3)
