Revised 05/2010

DNH 142 - Dental Hygiene II (5 CR.)

Course Description

This course exposes students to instrument sharpening, time management, and patient education techniques and methods. In addition it provides supervised clinical practice in the dental hygiene clinic with emphasis on developing patient treatment and instrument skills. Lecture 2 hours per week. Clinical 9 hours per week. Total 11 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course exposes students to instrument sharpening, time management, patient education techniques, and the use of ultrasonic and sonic scalers for periodontal debridement. In addition, provides supervised clinical practice in the dental hygiene clinic with emphasis on performing patient treatment and improving instrumentation skills. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite is DNH 141 Dental Hygiene I

Course Objectives

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

  • Discuss the principles and demonstrate the proper techniques for instrument sharpening.
  • Discuss the objectives of a diagnostic work-up and treatment plan.
  • Describe the various nonsurgical periodontal therapies that are available.
  • Discuss factors contributing to hypersensitivity.
  • Discuss the various antimicrobials and chemotherapeutic agents.
  • Discuss the methods for testing the vitality of pulpal tissues.
  • Discuss the care of a removable appliances and prostheses.
  • Discuss the preparation, placement, and maintenance of dental implants.
  • Discuss dental hygiene care for the patient with bloodborne infectious diseases.
  • Demonstrate the ability to utilize proper methods of infection control.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review a medical history as well as take and record vital signs.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform a patient assessment prior to the formulation of a treatment plan.
  • Demonstrate the ability to assess the need for radiographs prior to the formulation of a treatment plan.
  • Demonstrate the ability to prepare a treatment plan and recommend the appropriate referrals for further treatment.
  • Demonstrate the ability to provide oral health instructions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to disclose a patient and perform a plaque index.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform periodontal scaling and coronal polishing.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply topical fluoride on patients.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform radiographic techniques as well as analyze radiographs.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of instrument sharpening.
  • Demonstrate the ability to clean removable appliances and prostheses.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical support procedures.
  • Demonstrate professional judgment and ethical conduct.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Principles of Instrument Sharpening
  • Treatment Planning
  • Periodontal Debridement
  • Root Planing
  • Soft Tissue Curettage
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Antimicrobial and Chemotherapeutic Agents
  • Pulp Vitality
  • Care of Dental Prostheses
  • Care of Patients with Dental Implants
  • The Patient Who Uses Tobacco Products
  • Patients with Bloodborne Infectious Diseases