DH 175 - Oral Health Services III

Credit Hours: 3

Practical experience will be gained in applying the dental hygiene process of care during the treatment and management of dental hygiene patients and will include assessment, planning, implementation, self-assessment, and critical thinking for the evaluation of patient care. Experiences will include taking and interpreting digital dental radiographs, application of topical fluorides and varnishes, use of topical anesthetic agents, patient education, instrument sharpening, care of removable dental appliances, and the application of sealant materials to prevent tooth decay. Practical exercises in the management of medical emergencies will be conducted. Current infection control and patient confidentiality procedures will be followed. Students must recruit patients for treatment. An introduction to Interprofessional Education is included. The minimum passing grade is “C-” plus completion of specific clinical requirements.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

apply principles of professional, legal, and ethical conduct, along with effective and culturally competent professional communication skills in all interactions with patients, peers, and other healthcare professionals;
demonstrate the dental hygiene process of care (assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate, and document) to an advanced beginner level of competency in the clinical setting within a designated timeframe;
utilize safe practices during patient treatment and demonstrate OSHA standards for infection control in the dental setting; and
self-assess clinical performance to develop critical thinking skills and demonstrate improvement.

Prerequisites: All required second semester courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum must be passed.
Corequisites: Current BLS certification.
SS (N)

Withdrawal from or failure of a required course prevents further progression in the curriculum. General education courses may be taken earlier than indicated but may not be taken later than the prescribed schedule.