Oct 08, 2024  
2023-2024 Official General Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Official General Catalog [Archived Catalog]

DEN 101 - Dental Hygiene I


An introduction to the skills utilized in the contemporary practice of dental hygiene.  Included will be topics on patient assessment, therapeutic care (fluoride, instrumentation theory, selective polishing, instrument sharpening), as well as ergonomics for the hygiene practitioner.  Theory is applied in preclinic laboratory setting. 

 

Prerequisite- Corequisite
Corequisite:  DEN 108 Infection Control in Dentistry

Credits: 4
Hours
2 Class Hours, Clinical Hours: 8 hrs/week for 15 weeks
Course Profile
Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

  1. Apply ergonomic principles to the clinical practice of dental hygiene.
  2. Develop large and small motor skills necessary to apply proper instrumentation principles in the laboratory setting.
  3. Identify any hygiene instrument and describe where and how it is used on the dentition.
  4. Apply proper infection control protocol to the entire appointment sequence.
  5. Demonstrate professionalism and treat faculty, peers, and staff with respect.
  6. Obtain and review a comprehensive health history and assess the potential health conditions that may require treatment alterations or intervention to maintain safe, quality care.
  7. Recognize the need for a comprehensive history to plan comprehensive care.
  8. Identify dental hygiene instruments and describe how and when they are used.
  9. Describe the concept of selective polishing and apply the rationale for its use to the clinical setting.
  10. Describe the rationale and method for instrument sharpening.
  11. Meet pre-clinic objectives set forth in the Dental Hygiene Clinic Manual.

Intended Learning Outcome:

It is intended that each student who completes DEN 101 will have a basic understanding of the importance of patient assessment from obtaining a medical history to examining the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity and will be competent in performing those skills.  Each student will also be competent in basic instrumentation skills.