This course will provide students with the opportunity to develop foundational knowledge of the basic concepts relating to the profession of dental hygiene. Topics explored are the licensing process, the history of dental hygiene, the roles of the dental hygienist, career opportunities, professionalism, professional involvement and basic clinical knowledge.

This course is an introduction to oral histology and embryology with an emphasis on those tissues that compose the head, neck, and oral cavity.

The intent of the course is to acquaint the student with fundamental concepts and skills necessary for the delivery of quality, evidence -based preventive oral health care.

This course will expand and improve clinical treatment planning, dental hygiene process of care and risk assessment. Students will also learn critical case presentation skills. Through knowledge and practice, students will gain the skill and confidence needed to provide individualized patient diagnostic statements for dental hygiene care. Students will engage in evidence-based decision making when formulating treatment plans for the healthy patient throughout the lifespan as well as formally assess risk factors for both oral and systemic conditions. In addition, the student will learn motivational interviewing techniques to effect behavioral change.

Through the combination of laboratory and clinical experiences, the student will learn to assess and evaluate the oral health needs of individual patients, and utilize the gathered data in planning dental hygiene treatment. Each of the periodontal instruments fundamental to the practice of clinical dental hygiene are introduced. The intent of the course is to acquaint the student with fundamental concepts and skills necessary for the delivery of quality, evidence-based preventive oral health care.

This course will expand and improve clinical skills. Through knowledge and practice, students will gain the skill and confidence needed to provide individualized patient care using the dental hygiene process of care. In addition, the student will apply motivational interviewing techniques to effect behavioral modification.

This course will develop values, attitudes and skills which lead to the production of the highest technical quality radiographs with minimum patient and operator exposure. This includes, 1) principles and concepts of radiation and its interaction with matter and radiation protection procedures 2) how the components of the x-ray equipment work and proper quality assurance and control 3) the types of surveys available and the criteria for selecting the appropriate one 4) how to recognize and interpret normal anatomy, disease and developmental abnormalities and 5) alternative imaging modalities.

This laboratory course will develop values, attitudes and skills which lead to the production of the highest technical quality radiographs with minimum patient and operator exposure. This includes, 1) Principles and concepts of radiation and its interaction with matter and radiation protection procedures 2) how the components of the x-ray equipment work and proper quality assurance and control 3) the types of surveys available and the criteria for selecting the appropriate one 4) how to recognize and interpret normal anatomy, disease and developmental abnormalities and 5) alternative imaging modalities.

This course focuses on those materials, procedures and products used in the prevention and treatment of oral disease and the promotion of health, with an emphasis on cariology.

This laboratory course focuses on manipulating dental materials and those items, procedures and products used in the prevention and treatment of oral disease and the promotion of health, with an emphasis on cariology.

An introduction to the role of the dental hygienist as a comprehensive care provider in a variety of health care and educational settings. The course focuses on the basic skills needed to provide clinical and educational services for persons as individuals or as members of special population groups.

This practicum course focuses on the role of the dental public health professional in improving the oral health of people throughout the community. Community dental health problems, school dental health programs, and epidemiology of dental disease will be examined. Assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of a community dental health program will be reviewed. Dental hygiene research as it relates to oral epidemiology of dental diseases is explored. The students will begin to design an oral health program for a designated community.

This course will focus on the management of the medically compromised patient and the prevention of medical emergencies in the dental setting. Simulation will be used to expand and improve clinical skills in treating emergency situations.

The dental anatomy course will enable the student to learn morphologic characteristics of crown and root structure for permanent and primary dentition. Dental terminology will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on morphology, tooth eruption, occlusion, and hard and soft tissue function. This course is designed to integrate basic dental anatomy with clinical practice of dental hygiene.

The purpose of the course is to familiarize the dental hygiene student with the anatomy of the head and neck. This will include detailed study of skeletal landmarks, musculature, vasculature, innervation, and lymphatics. The interrelationship of structure and function of the oro-facial complex will be emphasized to enhance clinical understanding.

This course covers comprehensive dental hygiene care including assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation including referral. Emphasis on skill development in clinical periodontology, nonsurgical periodontal therapy, application of localized delivery of antimicrobials, oral self-education, and ethical/professional case management is included.

This course is the continued study of advanced clinical procedures. Emphasis is placed on advanced periodontal instrumentation and advanced ultrasonic techniques. Job interviewing skills, resume writing, professional practice management, jurisprudence, licensing and career development are also covered.

This course will allow dental hygiene students to explore the many various career opportunities available to them as baccalaureate degree hygienists. These opportunities include many career paths outside of the traditional private practice dental hygiene model. Students will be exposed to these opportunities through a variety of avenues including: guest speakers, community outreach involvement, and exploration projects.

This clinical course is the third in a four-course sequence that provides students with the development of fundamental clinical skills in all phases of dental hygiene practice including nonsurgical periodontal therapy, ultrasonic scaling, instrument maintenance, assessment procedures, and oral health counseling. Students will engage in clinical comprehensive dental hygiene treatment of patients during their designated clinic hours each week for the semester.

This is the last course in the four-course clinical sequence. The continued development of fundamental clinical skills including assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation and referral are practiced. Emphasis is placed on proficiency in nonsurgical periodontal therapy, localized antimicrobial delivery, ethical/professional case management and practice management. Students will engage in clinical comprehensive dental hygiene treatment of patients during their designated clinic hours each week for the semester.

This course examines the leadership process and will assist the students in developing leadership qualities that can be used in the various professional roles of the dental hygienist. The students will gain an understanding of leadership techniques and principles. This course will culminate with an oral/poster presentation.

A study of the etiology and pathogenesis of the periodontal diseases from a histological and clinical perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the clinical assessment and recognition of the pathologic periodontal changes, and the response of the diseased tissues to therapy.

The progressive study of the of the immunopathologic mechanisms involved in the chronic inflammatory periodontal diseases and the resulting wide-spread systemic manifestations. Emphasis will be placed on comprehensive periodontal risk assessment, innovations in surgical and non-surgical therapy, and evidence-based approach to case-management.

Major drug categories will be covered to include drug interactions, therapeutic and legal implications, and psychological and physical effects. Emphasis will be given to drugs in the top 200 and drugs of importance to the dental hygienist.

This course will provide the student with insight into the physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of treating patients with special needs. Lectures, discussions, cases, simulation and active learning modalities provide a working knowledge of the management of pregnant, infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient during oral health care. Concepts of oral health education and preventive counseling, health promotion, and patient management for individuals with transient or lifelong medical complications and/or special needs throughout the lifespan are covered.

This course will provide the student with insight into the physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of treating patients with special needs. Lectures, discussions, cases, simulation and active learning modalities provide a working knowledge of management of special needs and/or medically complex patients during oral health care.

A general overview of oral and general pathology with emphasis on the ability to develop an accurate differential diagnosis, knowledge of disease treatment and the role of the dental hygienist as part of the medical and dental healthcare team.

In this comprehensive course, the student will learn the basic concepts of local anesthesia including pharmacology, administration, indications and contraindications, anatomical considerations, armamentaria and the management of complications and reactions. Students will practice the actual techniques for safe, effective administration. The student will also gain experience in medical history review, vital sign assessment, record keeping, patient management, assessment of legal issues and infection control techniques and proper disposal of sharps. Concerning nitrous oxide sedation, the student will review the history and characteristics of nitrous oxide sedation; review basic respiratory physiology (including the uptake and distribution of gases); learn the stages of anesthesia and phases of stage I anesthesia; learn the pharmacology of nitrous oxide; learn the indications, contraindications, and adverse effects of nitrous oxide; learn the characteristics of the nitrous oxide delivery system; and learn the clinical protocol for safe use of nitrous oxide sedation.

This course is an introduction to oral histology and embryology with an emphasis on those tissues that compose the head, neck, and oral cavity.