Revised 05/2010

DNH 141 - Dental Hygiene I (5 CR.)

Course Description

This course introduces clinical knowledge and skills for the performance of dental hygiene services that include basic skill components, lab mannequins, and patient practice. Lecture 3 hours per week. Clinical 6 hours per week. Total 9 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course provides an introduction to prepare the dental hygiene student with the basic knowledge and skills to perform clinical skills required to perform oral prophylaxis and other dental hygiene services rendered to patients. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Discuss the scope of dental hygiene practice.
  • Discuss and demonstrate proper infection control techniques for preclinical procedures.
  • Discuss various methods for sterilizing dental hygiene instruments.
  • Discuss the importance and demonstrate proper positioning for dental ergonomics.
  • Explain the significance of obtaining an accurate medical and dental history.
  • Demonstrate the ability to properly take vital signs.
  • Describe and demonstrate the ability to perform extraoral and intraoral examinations.
  • Describe and demonstrate the ability to perform hard and soft tissue assessments.
  • Describe and demonstrate the ability to perform periodontal assessment and charting.
  • Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques for coronal polishing.
  • Identify instruments used in dental hygiene practice.
  • Demonstrate the proper instrumentation techniques for clinical dental hygiene practice.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Orientation to Dental Hygiene Practice
  • Principles of Infection Control
  • Hazard Communication
  • Methods of Sterilization, Chemical Disinfectants, and Instrument Recirculation
  • Patient Reception and Positioning
  • Dental Ergonomics
  • Medical and Dental Histories
  • Vital Signs
  • Extraoral and Intraoral Examination
  • Hard and Soft Tissue Assessment
  • Periodontal Assessment
  • Coronal Polishing
  • Topical and Systemic Fluorides
  • Principles of Instrumentation