COURSE DESCRIPTION

Studies the anatomy, morphology and functions of the oral structures, including primary and permanent dentition. Laboratory procedures include identification, eruption sequence, tooth drawings or carvings, principles of occlusion and intra-arch relationships. Lecture 2 Hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

This course is included as one of the preliminary learning experiences in the dental hygiene curriculum. It is expected that the student will correlate information from other first semester dental hygiene courses to gain basic knowledge of the human dentition, its form and function.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCIES

Prerequisite admission to the Dental Hygiene Program.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the completion of this course, the student must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following general objectives with at least a 75% level of competency.

1. Identify, correctly palpate, examine and record all structures to be assessed during oral inspection procedures.
2. Recognize the significant structural and functional deviations from normal in the oral cavity which may alter dental hygiene procedures.
3. Discuss the variance in the morphological characteristics of the human dentition as they relate to vulnerability or resistance to dental disease, deposit retention, clinical instrumentation procedures, and oral hygiene instruction.
4. Describe the protective functions of the human dentition related to proper alignment and functional relationships with one another.
5. Recognize normal occlusal relationships as well as malocclusion, malalignment, overjet, and overbite and their significance to dental treatment.
6. Clinically compare and differentiate between a deciduous and permanent dentition.
7. Describe the pattern of development and sequence of tooth eruption in the human dentition.
8. Discuss the importance of the periodontal examination as part of the total appraisal or oral health status.
9. Incorporate current knowledge with future radiographic information to accurately mount dental radiographs by examining the morphological characteristics of the dentition.
10. Produce and accurately label line drawings of one half of the adult dentition maxillary right and mandibular right. Include 5 surfaces mesial, distal, occlusal, facial and lingual as indicated in available examples.