DHYG 1040 Syllabus

Subject Code

DHYG

Course Number

1040

Course Title

Preclinical Dental Hygiene Lecture

Prerequisites

Program admission

Corequisites

DHYG 1050

Terms Offered

Credit Hours

Course Description

This course provides students with the fundamental skills needed to deliver optimum patient care as dental hygienists. Topics include patient assessment, instrumentation, charting, occlusion, caries, emergencies, ethics and professionalism, asepsis, and patient and clinician positioning.

Course Outcomes

Ethics and Professionalism, Infection Control; Disease Transmission; Exposure control: Barriers for patient and clinician; clinical procedures, Infection control and hazardous waste policies; Prefixes and suffixes/dental terminology

Describe and maintain professional appearance and conduct.
Describe the history and scope of dental hygiene as a profession.
Define the dental hygiene Process of Care.
Assess risk of disease transmission in oral healthcare and plan appropriate control measures
Interpret emerging guidelines for infection control
Identify infectious diseases that pose a risk of transmission in oral healthcare
Apply active and passive mechanisms of infectious disease transmission prevention
Select appropriate protective attire for use during dental hygiene patient care
Define standard precautions and all terms related to infection control.
Discuss rationale for preparation of the dental environment prior to and after patient care
Discuss the indication and use for personal protection and personal protective equipment by the dental hygienist including necessary immunizations, clinical attire, face masks, protective eyewear, and gloves.
Discuss the hazardous materials and sharps stick protocols.
Be able to complete a Hazard label when given a MSDS sheet.
Discuss the proper methods of hand washing to protect hands and minimize disease transmission.
Discuss the types of latex allergy and prevention.
Discuss rationales for proper processing of contaminated instruments
List approved methods of sterilization including specifics of use and advantages and disadvantages of each system.
Discuss approved chemical sterilants and their indications for use.
Describe infection control procedures for the laboratory.
Discuss the legal implications and ethical considerations of following recommended infection control guidelines.
Describe the hazardous waste policies for Athens Technical College.
Discuss dental unit waterlines as it relates to infection control.

Patient Assessment: Personal medical and dental histories; Patient reception and positioning, ATC Emergency policies; Vital signs.

Systematically collect, analyze, and record information from a patient’s personal, dental, and health history and discuss the implications to the patient appointment.
Assess health status and risks, disease severity, and likelihood of a medical emergency via the health history interview.
Initiate appropriate referrals to minimize patient health risks and clinicians’ potential for litigation.
Recognize implications of patient health status for dental hygiene care
Discuss the importance of confidentiality, patient’s rights, and informed consent.
Discuss procedures for assessing patient temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.
List factors that influence the various components of a patient’s vital signs
Discuss the difference in systolic and diastolic pressure
Differentiate between hypertension and hypotension.
Describe Athens Technical College emergency procedures
Discuss proper operator and patient positioning and correct placement of the dental light

Instrument grasp, Mirror, finger rests; Air/water syringe/suction; Identification of Oral structures and the gingiva, the Probe and its uses..

State purposes and advantages of performing a complete general and oral examination

Identify characteristics to observe in assessing a patient’s general appearance
Describe and use extraoral and intraoral examination procedures including visual inspection, palpation methods, and detection of common abnormalities.
Discuss in writing and demonstrate in the clinic the objectives and correct procedure for an oral inspection and define any other terminology relating to patient evaluation.
Identify oral landmarks and structures on a diagram.
Define and discuss the appearance of normal gingiva and related structures
Discuss the differences between normal and abnormal gingival tissue.
Describe proper instrument grasp, fulcrum and uses for the mouth mirror.
Demonstrate proper grasp and use of the air/water syringe and suction
Identify the significance of factors to consider in the periodontal examination (missing, impacted or malpositioned teeth, open contacts and poorly contoured restorations)
Discuss the proper technique for use of the periodontal probe
Discuss purpose of the periodontal examination and charting
Discuss the procedure for examining and charting periodontal pocket depths including gingival health/recession, masticatory mucosa, attached gingiva, frenal attachments, mobility and furcation involvement.

Lympy nodes; Oral cancer; Intraoral and extraoral examination; Abuse and neglect; Substance abuse.

Describe and recognize the normal anatomy of the head and neck area
Describe and recognize and describe common signs of oral disease and deviations from normal
Describe proper methods and sequencing for performing extraoral and intraoral assessments
Describe rationale for and document significant findings in the patient record using precise descriptive terms
Describe the rationale for proper documentation
Apply appropriate follow-up and referral protocol when abnormal or atypical tissue changes warrant further evaluation
Explain the rationale for teaching self-examination techniques for the oral cavity to the patient
Discuss procedures and techniques for early detection of oral cancer
Identify oral signs and symptoms associated with substance abuse (alcohol/tobacco)
Discuss the systemic and oral effects of tobacco and alcohol abuse.
Discuss the dental hygiene process of care related to patients with substance abuse problems
Describe the short-term, long-term and systemic effects of substance use.
List general signs, extraoral, and intraoral signs of abuse and neglect in children and elderly patients
Discuss documentation and reporting of suspected family abuse or neglect.
Demonstrate professional behavior and attitude in the classroom.

Introduction to instrumentation; the explorer

Discuss and identify the design characteristics of explorers.
Identify the tip on various types of explorers
Identify and describe the advantages and limitations of various explorer designs
Describe how the clinician can use visual clues to select the correct working end of a double ended explorer
Describe correct adaptation and use of assessment strokes with an explorer
Describe proper grasp, fulcrum adaptation, insertion, angulation and activation of the explorer
Discuss methods of calculus detection with an explorer and compressed air.
Discuss identification of tooth irregularities using the explorer
Explain the importance and rationale for a systematic clinical procedure of instrumentation.

Plaque and other soft deposits; plaque control record, plaque free score, Periodontal screening and recording (PSR)

Define microbial plaque as a biofilm
Describe the process of plaque biofilm accumulation and maturation
Discuss the differences between supragingival and subgingival biofilm
Describe clinical assessment methods to quantify bacterial plaque, biofilm, calculus, and stain
Define and identify other soft deposits
Describe at least three indices for measuring bacterial plaque clinically
Describe the purpose and use of the Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR)
Discuss how oral hygiene assessment is used for client education and motivation.
Describe the rationale for applying disclosing solutions.
Describe the effect of diet on biofilm accumulation
Discuss the bacteria of healthy gingiva verses periodontal biofilm pathogens

Teeth, plaque, caries; bleeding indices

Discuss the development of dental caries and their classifications
Describe the multifactorial, infectious nature of dental caries.
Explain the process of demineralization and remineralization that occurs in the oral environment.
Define the steps in formation of a carious lesion
Discuss the etiology, effects and recognition of early childhood caries
Discuss the clinical factors, recognition and risk factors for development of root caries
Discuss noncarious dental lesions including enamel hypoplasia, attrition, erosion, abrasion, and fractures including the definitions, occurrence, etiology and appearance.
Discuss clinical examination of the teeth and recognition of carious lesions
Discuss methods of testing pulpal vitality and reasons why this procedure might be necessary.
Discuss and be able to draw and identify carious lesions based on GV Black’s classification of dental caries.

Calculus; introduction to debridement instruments; Area-specific and Universal Curettes

Describe calculus, its classifications and distribution
Describe the differences between Supragingival and subgingival calculus
Describe the clinical characteristics, appearance, consistency and distribution of both Supragingival and subgingival calculus
Discuss calculus formation including pellicle formation, maturation of biofilm, mineralization, formation time and structure
Discuss the different means by which calculus is attached to the teeth and how attachment affects the difficulty of removal.
Discuss the composition of calculus, listing both inorganic and organic elements.
Discuss the significance of dental calculus, its relationship to dental biofilm and attachment loss and periodontal pocket formation.
Discuss prevention of calculus including professional removal and personal dental biofilm control.
Identify the design characteristics of the area-specific curets.
Name the uses of area-specific curets
Describe how the clinician can use visual clues to select the correct working end of an area-specific curet on anterior or posterior teeth.
Explain why the lower shank of an area-specific curet should not be tilted slightly toward the tooth surface being instrumented to obtain correct angulation.
List the different types of strokes used with a curet.
Identify the function of any area-specific curette and where it should be used in the dentition.
Discuss the advantages and limitations of the design characteristics of area specific curets.
Identify the design characteristics of universal curets.
Discuss the advantages and limitations of the design characteristics of universal curets.
Name the uses of universal curets.
Describe how the clinician can use visual clues to select the correct working-end of a universal curet on anterior and posterior teeth.
Explain why the lower shank of a universal curet should be tilted slightly toward the tooth surface being instrumented to obtain correct angulation.
Discuss and be able to draw and identify carious lesions based on GV Black’s classification of dental caries
List and discuss the factors influencing the selection of instruments including the nature, location and extent of deposit to be removed, the accessibility of the deposit or stain, the topography of the tooth surface, the size, contour, consistency and position of the free gingiva, and the design, size and function of the instrument.

Oral infection control; tooth brushing; toothbrushes; dentifrices; Interdental care

Discuss the history of toothbrushes, describe the parts of an effective toothbrush in detail and explain why there is no “ideal” toothbrush for all situations.
Compare natural and nylon bristles for their uniformity of length, diameter and durability.
Discuss individualized toothbrush selection for each patient.
Discuss guidelines for manual toothbrushing
Contrast each method of toothbrushing including the Bass, Roll, Stillman, Modified Stillman, Charters, and other methods including their purposes and indications, procedures and problems.
Discuss the purpose and indications for power toothbrushes and methods for use.
Discuss supplemental brushing including tongue brushing.
Discuss toothbrushing for special conditions.
Recognize and discuss the conditions of natural and restored dentition that influence the selection of supplemental oral hygiene aids and techniques.
Explain the contributing factors and the trauma that can occur to the teeth and the gingiva with improper brushing techniques.
Explain how to care for toothbrushes, replacement, cleaning and storage.
Define dentifrice and what to consider in choosing the best one to recommend for a patient.
Identify all the components of commercially available dentifrices and what the purpose, characteristics and types of each component contribute to the product.
Describe the therapeutic and cosmetic benefits of dentifrices.
Discuss the abrasivity of dentifrices
Describe and label the anatomy of the interdental area
Design the best interdental care for a patient based on their assessment information and include in the dental hygiene care plan for that patient.
Discuss the various products that are available for interproximal biofilm removal including their purpose, indications, contraindications, techniques, advantages and limitations.
Identify factors that influence selection of supplemental oral hygiene aids and techniques.

Chemotherapeutics and topical delivery systems

Name the components of a mouthrinse and explain the purpose of each type of agent
Discuss the contraindications and effects of an alcohol containing mouthrinse.
Discuss the pharmacologic properties of chlorhexidine
Name one prescription mouthrinse and one non-prescription
Discuss factors that would influence your choice of an antimicrobial mouthrinse for a patient.
Define subgingival irrigation and discuss indications and contraindications for patients.
Discuss the rationale for using antimicrobial oral irrigation.
Define substantivity as it relates to oral irrigation/mouthrinse products.
Discuss the various products that can be used for antimicrobial oral irrigation.
List the armamentarium needed to accomplish oral irrigation.

Dental charting; Planning for dental hygiene care

Discuss the purposes, characteristics, and procedures for dental charting
Describe the classification of quadrants and sextants in dental charting
Describe the classification of permanent and primary teeth
Explain the major tooth numbering systems
Describe occlusal classification of patients.
Describe GV Black’s classification of types of restorations
Chart the dentition of a created scenario accurately using the proper charting symbols.
Interpret scenario assessment findings for a patient including the chief complaint, risk factors, patient’s overall health status, oral healthcare knowledge of the patient, the patient’s ability to perform oral care and document these findings.
Discuss a patient’s periodontal diagnosis including current periodontal status, case type, and classification of periodontal disease.
Make a dental hygiene diagnosis and write a diagnostic statement.
Make a dental hygiene prognosis discussing factors that determine outcome and expected outcomes.
Describe emergency treatment for patient care.
Discuss the considerations for providing care including the role of the patient, tissue conditioning, Preprocedural antimicrobial mouthrinsing, pain and anxiety control and maintenance.
List and discuss the factors influencing the selection of instruments including the nature, location and extent of deposit to be removed, the accessibility of the deposit or stain, the topography of the tooth surface, the size, contour, consistency and position of the free gingiva, and the design, size and function of the instrument.

The dental hygiene care plan

Describe a dental hygiene care plan, including the description, rationale and objectives.
Describe the components of a written care plan including demographic data, assessment findings and risk factors, periodontal diagnosis/case type and status, diagnostic statements, planned interventions, expected outcomes, appointment plan and reevaluation.
Describe the objectives and factors that would affect sequencing and prioritizing patient care.
Develop a care plan derived from a dental hygiene diagnosis.
Explain how to integrate the dental hygiene care plan with the appointment plan
Define evaluation according to its purpose, relationship to other steps in the dental hygiene process, and legal rationale.
Evaluate in a patient scenario whether achievement of client goals as established in the plan of care.
Discuss the dental hygiene prognosis and its impact on continued dental hygiene care.
Write client centered goals that contain a subject, verb, criterion for measurement, and a time dimension.
Discuss informed consent and informed refusal and apply these concepts to care planning