COURSE DESCRIPTION

Exposes the student to instrument sharpening, time management and patient education techniques and methods. Provide supervised clinical practice in the dental hygiene clinic with emphasis on developing patient treatment and instrument skills. Introduces the student to dental assisting skills. Lecture 2 hours. Clinic 9 hours. Total 11 hours per week.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

This is a continuing course to practice the skills and knowledge attained in the previous dental hygiene course. Emphasis will be placed on clinical dental hygiene procedures.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCIES

Prerequisite is DNH 141 - "Dental Hygiene I".

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Specific objectives for each classroom preparation will be presented prior to each lecture period.

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. demonstrate proper care, maintenance and use of the dental unit, handpiece, prophylaxis angle and equipment used in the dental clinic
2. demonstrate correct patient and operator positioning, light and air and a dry field of operation for maximum visibility and efficiency during scaling and polishing procedures
3. utilize the correct grasp, fulcrum, stroke, pressure, duration and speed during scaling and polishing procedures
4. follow a systematic sequence during scaling and polishing procedures
5. perform clinical procedures without traumatizing hard and soft tissues
6. utilize proper symbols to record the existing conditions of the human dentition
7. explain the benefits of fluoride on the teeth through topical administration
8. discuss the concept of fluoride incorporation into the tooth surface during application
9. demonstrate the correct techniques for the topical application of fluoride utilizing cotton roll holders, ion fluoridators and custom trays with either a gel or solution fluoride preparation
10. demonstrate the understanding of the indications and contraindications for the different fluoride preparations
11. discuss the types and use of disclosing agents
12. plan and implement patient education techniques for their patients
13. design a booklet for use in patient education
14. plan and utilize good time management techniques
15. demonstrate and verbalize proper medical emergency techniques
16. identify and demonstrate a proper instrument sharpening technique
17. demonstrate an understanding of a well designed abstract
18. demonstrate the proper technique for desensitizing teeth
19. demonstrate an understanding of the use and application of topical anesthetic
20. state the indications and contraindications for use of topical anesthetic
21. demonstrate an understanding of the proper use and care of ultrasonic scalers
22. demonstrate the proper technique for taking intraoral photographs