DH 200 - Oral Health Services IV

Credit Hours: 6

This course provides continued clinical experience in the management of the dental hygiene patient utilizing the dental hygiene process of care and an introduction to ultrasonic instrumentation techniques. Patient assessment, dental radiography, recording of vital signs, patient education and motivation, application of sealants, treatment planning and developing a dental hygiene diagnosis, implementation of treatment and evaluation of treatment. Lecture topics include smoking cessation, whitening agents, HIV disease, dentinal hypersensitivity, recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect. A module on advanced periodontology will explore assessment and management of periodontal disease through instrumentation, ultrasonics, soft tissue management programs, systemic antibiotics and locally applied chemotherapeutic agents. Another module will provide a comprehensive overview of patients with special needs and the factors which may complicate management and the delivery of dental hygiene services. Students will recruit patients for treatment and must recall their previously treated patients as appropriate. A minimum passing grade of “C-” is required for written evaluations in each module and “C-” for clinical competency evaluations.
Prerequisites: All required first year courses in the dental hygiene curriculum and DH 175 must be passed.
Corequisites: All required fall semester, second year courses in the dental hygiene curriculum and current BLS certification.