Dental Hygiene

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Apply the correct nomenclature for the landmarks associated with the oral cavity, head and neck. 2. Differentiate between anatomy of oral mucous membranes and histological components including but not limited to: tissues of the enamel, dentin, pulp, cementum, periodontal ligament, alveolar process and gingiva. 3. Recall eruption patterns and differentiate between primary and permanent dentitions and distinguish characteristics of individual teeth within those dentitions. 4. Remember steps in the embryonic development of the face and neck, single and multirooted tooth development, enamel, dentin cementum, pulp, palate, tongue, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. 5. Recall the process of tooth and root development, including stages of primary and permanent tooth eruption, in addition to recognizing developmental disturbances that may occur during tooth development or eruption. 6. Describe the formation of the pharyngeal arches and the developmental disturbances that can occur during the formation of the palate and lip. 7. Apply knowledge from this course to future courses for individualized patient care.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility consistent with the role, history, and scope of practice of the dental hygienist, including effective communication, documentation, and collaboration within the healthcare team. 2. Operate and maintain dental equipment and the clinical operatory, utilizing proper patient and operator positioning, ergonomics, magnification, and lighting to ensure safe and effective delivery of care. 3. Apply principles of infection control and disease prevention, including asepsis, sterilization, disinfection, standard precautions, and management of cross-contamination in the clinical setting. 4. Collect and accurately document comprehensive patient data, including medical and dental histories, vital signs, extraoral and intraoral examinations, periodontal assessments, dental charting, and occlusal evaluation. 5. Demonstrate competency in the identification, selection, and clinical manipulation of dental instruments, including explorers, probes, scalers, curettes, ultrasonic scalers, and polishing handpieces, utilizing a modified pen grasp, stable fulcrum, and correct adaptation, angulation, and activation. 6. Provide preventive dental hygiene services, including biofilm and calculus assessment and removal, polishing, fluoride application, and individualized oral hygiene instruction. 7. Recognize, prevent, and manage medical and dental emergencies by assessing risk factors, identifying signs and symptoms, implementing appropriate emergency protocols, and fulfilling the dental hygienist’s role within the emergency response team.

1. Integrate the function and anatomical relationships within the head and neck region in the provision of dental hygiene care. 2. Identify and integrate the relationship between the oral cavity and the head and neck regions to the rest of the body. 3. Apply the understanding of neurobiology to the practice of dental hygiene. 4. Utilize information and knowledge gained from this course in critically analyzing and developing clinical treatment skills.

1. Develop and implement a preventive dentistry program. 2. Explain and interpret the theory of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy (NSPT) 3. Discuss, interpret and summarize dental assessment findings. 4. Develop and discuss a dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment plan. 5. Plan, Implement and evaluate a dental hygiene care plan. 6. Interpret and summarize a patient dental evaluation. 7. Discuss the different forms and levels of patient communication, motivation/learning among patients. 8. Explain the dental hygiene treatment of a child patient (1-5 years old) 9. Research and explain nutrition and sugar counseling to a patient. 10. Define pain control and terminology for topical anesthesia. 11. Assess, implement and refer patients for cessation programs for tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse. 12. Explain the history of fluoride and the uses of professional, and over the counter fluoride products. 13. Explain and how to implement cultural diversity into a dental setting. 14. Explain the differences between the CDC and OSHA on policy for disease transmission and asepsis. 15. Define and explain evidence-based decision making in dentistry and research terminology

1. Develop a thorough knowledge of the parts and sequence of a dental hygiene appointment. 2. Develop more advanced instrumentation skills. 3. Continue to develop knowledge and skills in preventive services, to a patient. 4. Develop communication skills with patients and members of the dental team. 5. Incorporate ideal principles of dental hygiene care into a clinical practice environment. 6. Continue to develop knowledge of ethical issues in dental hygiene. 7. Acquire and synthesize information in a scientific and effective manner. 8. Continue to develop the knowledge, skills and values of the profession. 9. Systematically collect, analyze, and accurately record baseline data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of patients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles data of the patient on the computer and paper form 10. Discuss the conditions of the oral cavity; identify actual and potential problems, etiological and contributing factors and available treatments. 11. Provide treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals. 12. Evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify as necessary. 13. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in applying dental hygiene methodology of care to a varied patient population in the dental hygiene clinic and other practice settings. 14. Evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify as necessary. 15. Develop and evaluate a preventive dentistry program for a patient with either dental caries risks and/or periodontal risks. 16. Utilize dental software, computers and data entry in the practice of dental hygiene

Competencies for Dental Hygiene Graduates Identifies and organizes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes our graduates must attain for entry into dental hygiene practice in public and private settings. Three domains have been identified: Professionalism, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and Patient Care. Within these three domains, major competencies are identified: I. Professionalism 1. Ethics. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to discern and manage ethical issues of dental hygiene practice in a rapidly changing environment. 2. Information Processing. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to acquire and synthesize information in a critical, scientific, and effective manner. 3. Professional Identity. The new dental hygiene graduate must contribute to improving the knowledge, skills, and values of the profession. II. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 1. The Individual. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote optimal health. 2. The Community. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities for diverse populations. III. Process of Care 1. Assessment. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to systematically collect, analyze, and accurately record baseline data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of patients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles. 2. Planning. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to discuss the condition of the oral cavity, identify actual and potential problems, etiological and contributing factors, and available treatments. 3. Implementation. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to provide treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals. 4. Evaluation. The new dental hygiene graduate must be able to evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify as necessary.

Upon successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Analyze the influences that drugs taken for non-dental purposes may have on a proposed treatment plan and be able to modify the treatment plan accordingly. 2. Communicate with patients about their drug therapy in a competent and professional manner. 3. Evaluate the therapeutic agents used in the routine practice of clinical dentistry and be able to provide the patient with appropriate instructions for compliance. 4. Describe where to obtain information about a drug that the student is not familiar with and will be able to evaluate the information accurately

1. Recognize and describe the wide variation of normal oral and head and neck anatomy. 2. Identify and properly describe lesions or abnormalities of the oral and maxillofacial region. 3. Identify and list the underlying processes and treatments of the more common lesions and diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region. 4. Integrate the relationship between general health and systemic disease with the effects on the oral cavity.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. List and demonstrate the procedures of local anesthesia infection control procedures. 2. List and describe normal head and neck anatomy as it applies to local anesthesia. 3. List and demonstrate the steps for administering an atraumatic injection technique. 4. Describe and demonstrate the different techniques for the administration of local anesthesia. 5. State and demonstrate selection of the proper local anesthetic for patient care. 6. State and describe neurophysiology of a nerve impulse and the blocking role of a local anesthetic. 7. List and describe the pharmacology and clinical actions of local anesthesia and vasoconstrictors 8. List and describe the physical and psychological evaluation of the patient 9. Demonstrate documenting treatment on the services rendered note, recognizing this as a legal document and maintaining accuracy and consistency. 10. Recognizing medical conditions that require special precautions or considerations prior to or during the administration of local anesthesia. 11.Identifies a medical emergency, take steps to prevent an emergency, and is prepared to help manage an emergency should it occur. 12. Demonstrate the selection and proper use of the armamentarium of local anesthesia. 13. Describe the clinical recognition of and treatment modalities for the local and systemic complications possible from administering local anesthesia. 14. State and list the mechanisms of nitrous oxide and how it relates to pain control for the dental hygienist. 15. Calculate dosages of local anesthesia 16. List the legal ramifications of administering local anesthesia. 17. Demonstrate the topical application of topical anesthetics 18. Describe and demonstrate supplemental injections used in local anesthesia.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Explore the conceptual basis of the dental hygiene process of care. 2. Integrate theoretical concepts of health care with more advanced clinical dental hygiene care. 3. Analyze the oral health care of patients with special needs. 4. Develop knowledge and skills necessary in preparation for clinical extramural rotations. 5. Design guidelines for integrating ideal principles of ethical care into a clinical practice environment.

1. Demonstrate a refinement of clinical dental hygiene skills from the previous two semesters. 2. Provide dental hygiene care as authorized in the prepared treatment plans of approximately 40 patients, including the following services: a. Medical dental history dialogue and record information b. Intraoral and extra-oral examination and record c. Dental charting d. Periodontal charting e. Mucogingival charting 3. Patient education individualized to patient's needs including dental biofilm control and dietary analysis. 4. Periodontal debridement using hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers for selective polishing for patients with slight to heavy stains. 5. Application of desensitizing agents. 6. Application of a topical fluoride agent. 7. Complete follow-up procedures regarding recall appointments and necessary referral for additional care. 8. Maintain sharp hand instruments without damage to the cutting edge or changing the contour of the instrument. 9. Describe and demonstrate the recording of dental, periodontal and mucogingival charting. 10. Demonstrate and record tooth mobility. 11. Demonstrate application of radiography skills learned in DHG 124. 12. Demonstrate organizational skills and time management. 13. Demonstrate patient management skills related to exposing radiographs. 14. Correctly expose, process, mount and assess radiographs. 15. Demonstrate duplication of radiographs. 16. Explain the rationale and demonstrate the procedures for sealant treatment. 17. Identify various oral signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of detrimental oral habits and explain their anatomical, physiological, and possible psychological effects. 18. Describe and demonstrate the technique for taking alginate impressions. 19. Describe and demonstrate the technique for fabrication of study casts. 20. Demonstrate understanding of digital intraoral photography. 21. Demonstrate use of computerized intraoral photography and print photograph of case study presentation. 22. Participate in service learning experience by providing dental hygiene care to patients in a variety of community practice settings. 23. Demonstrate the preparation, administration to patient and disassembly of a local anesthetic syringe. 24. Demonstrate the application of radiography skills learned in DHG 124. 25. Demonstrate organizational skills and time management. 26. Demonstrate patient management skills related to exposing radiographs. 27. Correctly expose, process, mount and assess radiographs. 28. Demonstrate duplication of radiographs. 29. Correctly maintain infection control protocols.

1. Recognize and describe the wide variation of normal oral and head and neck anatomy. 2. Identify and properly describe lesions or abnormalities of the oral and maxillofacial region. 3. Identify and list the underlying processes and treatments of the more common lesions and diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region. 4. Integrate the relationship between general health and systemic disease with the effects on the oral cavity.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Define and demonstrate principles of professionalism, ethical behavior, and cultural diversity when providing dental hygiene services in a laboratory and clinical setting. 2. List and describe the physical, chemical, and biological properties of specific dental materials. 3. Demonstrate proper selection, manipulation and care of dental material s used within the dental hygiene scope of practice that will allow for high quality therapeutic and preventive services. 4. Educate patients about dental procedures involving dental materials and the proper maintenance of appropriate dental materials. 5. Demonstrate clinical judgments in the selection and use of dental material s and their reaction in the oral environment. 6. Demonstrate infection control protocols and follow acceptable aseptic and safety procedures in both laboratory and clinical settings when using a given material or providing therapeutic or preventative services.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe the conceptual basis of the dental hygiene process of care. 2. Discuss and state ethical and legal issues related to the practice of dental hygiene. 3. Describe the integration of different elements which apply to the recognition, analysis, and resolution of ethical problems. 4. Describe the role of the registered dental hygienist as a health professional in the community. 5. Describe the role of the registered dental hygienist as a concerned citizen, aware of problems within society and healthcare systems, and to participate in attempting to solve these problems. 6. Create and identify awareness relative to issues affecting the profession of dental hygiene and act as an advocate for change in the community. 7. Develop the skills necessary to begin the practice of all phases of dental hygiene practice recognized by the Massachusetts Dental (Hygiene) Practice Act. 8. Identify the required steps to be eligible for licensure in Massachusetts. 9. Develop skillset to seek and gain employment as a dental hygienist. 10. Identify the importance of lifelong learning needed to attain professional goals.

1. Traditional methods of familiarizing dental hygiene students with community-based outreach methods are useful in the dental hygiene curriculum 2. The dental hygiene community outreach efforts can be enhanced with SL 3. SL has the potential to enhance students’ educational experience and to affect the oral health of the public in a positive fashion 4. SL emphasizes partnership stability, which results in continuity of services that contribute to the success of SL programs 5. SL challenges students and compels them to become more active in their learning 6. Student can tailor their own learning experiences so they improve in areas that are important to them 7. SL transforms the learning experiences for dental hygiene students and the oral health of the community

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Introduce the history, trends, global perspectives of dental public health and the professional opportunities in dental public health. 2. Introduce and identify effective community programs; planning and evaluating community programs. 3. Identify oral health promotion, education, and education materials to promote oral health in the community. 4. Introduce and discuss epidemiology of disease, patterns of diseases and biostatistics of diseases. 5. Discuss ethical and legal principles.