DH 110 - Head, Neck and Oral Anatomy

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to dental terminology, morphology and functional characteristics of teeth and occlusion will be presented. The embryologic development of the teeth and orofacial structures as well as the histogenesis, structure and function of dental tissues are studied. Individual tooth development and eruption patterns of primary and permanent teeth are compared. A detailed study of the bones, muscles, nerves, vascular supply and specialized tissues of the head and neck will be presented. Application to clinical dental hygiene is stressed. Minimum passing grade is “C-.”

Course Outcomes
At the completion of the course, the successful student will be at an 80% proficiency to:

describe and correctly apply the correct anatomical terms to tooth landmarks;
identify and relate the functions of teeth and relate tooth size, general shape, specific curvatures, and root structure to their function, various classification types and disease potential;
using models of human teeth and extracted human teeth, the student will know the arch to which they belong and identify all permanent and deciduous teeth;
demonstrate knowledge and application of the major dental coding system;
know precisely the usual order of tooth eruption to the level of determining the age of a patient with either primary or mixed dentition, incorrect eruption sequence, and/or the patient needing a professional referral;
know the histogenesis, structures, functions and clinical significance of the tissues enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum to the level of the effect on disease progression, hardness, derivation, abnormality and clinical treatment;
describe and define the terminology, principles, stages of dentition, and functional and habitual relationships as they relate to dental occlusion;
define Angle’s classification of malocclusion; know its usage and weaknesses and apply and identify the correct classification in mock situations;
describe the relationship of the orofacial structures and the temporomandibular joint to occlusion;
identify the bones, their landmarks, and sutures of the neurocranium and viscerocranium;
describe the origin, insertion, action, blood and nerve supply of the muscles of mastication;
name the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles and their roles in mandibular movement;
describe the structures associated with the temporomandibular joint;
describe the movements and clinical considerations of the temporomandibular joint;
understand the arterial supply and venous drainage of the head and neck and their association with local anesthesia;
name the specific branches of the facial, trigeminal, hypoglossal, and glosso-pharyngeal nerves and how they relate to local anesthesia;
discuss the lymphatic system of the head and neck and understand the spread of dental infection;
name, locate, and describe the differences of the minor and major salivary glands;
name and locate all of the extra & intra oral structures that are examined in an extra/intra oral examination; and
list the function of the soft palate muscles and their relationship to swallowing, chewing & speech.

Corequisites: All required first-semester courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum.
F (N)