DH 270 - Pharmacology

Credit Hours: 2

An overview of pharmacologic principles will include drug absorption, bioavailability, metabolism and excretion, toxicity and side effects, routes of administration, and placebo effect. Drug categories covered include anti-infectives, autonomic drugs, analgesics, anesthetics, antianxiety drugs, anti-plaque agents, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, and cardiovascular medications. Additional topics will include prescription writing, alcohol and drug abuse, and drugs for emergency use. The impact of various drugs and drug combinations on the management of dental hygiene patients will be stressed. The minimum required passing grade is “C-“.

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

identify the principles of pharmacodynamics, including general drug actions, dose, potency, routes of administration, and adverse reactions;
identify and apply the appropriate pharmacological adverse reactions and dental considerations of autonomic drugs, analgesics, and antimicrobials;
identify and apply the appropriate pharmacological adverse reactions and dental considerations of local anesthetics, general anesthetics, antianxiety agents, anticonvulsants, and psychotherapeutic agents; and
identify and apply the appropriate pharmacological adverse reactions and dental considerations of cardiovascular agents, antihistamines, and hormonal agents.

Prerequisites: All required fall semester, second year courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum must be passed.
Corequisites: All required spring semester, second year courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum.
S (N)

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