Dental Hygiene (DEH)

Introduces basic dental hygiene theory, instrumentation, and patient care assessment. Focuses on the application of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic procedures in a wide variety of areas related to clinical practice, health promotion, and disease prevention..

Introduces the entry-level dental hygiene student to fundamental procedures and techniques to include instrumentation, infection control, and patient assessment. Provides a variety of clinical learning experiences to develop basic skills and knowledge for entry into the dental hygiene profession.

Introduces the general anatomy of the face including terminology, anatomic landmarks, and tooth identification. Specific focus is placed on the anatomical and histologic features of the teeth and other structures of the oral cavity. Introduction to the embryology of the face, oral, and nasal cavities is presented, as well as development of the teeth and histological features of the various components of the teeth and surrounding structures.

Introduces principles of x-radiation production and safety factors; application and theory of properly exposing, processing, mounting and evaluating radiographs; identification of normal anatomic landmarks and pathologic conditions. Focuses on utilization of the laboratory in performing procedures necessary to produce quality radiographs.

Provides the first year dental hygiene student with the basic knowledge, theory, and skill necessary to advance to subsequent clinical dental hygiene courses. This course includes an introduction to the principles of basic instrument recognition, expected professional and ethical behaviors, HIPAA and FERPA compliance, OSHA standards for infection control, dental software systems, oral hygiene instruction, dental hygiene care planning for the patient, and proper consent form documentation.

Explains the management of emergency situations with an emphasis on prevention and identification of potential medical emergencies that can occur in the dental office or during dental treatment. Provides practical skills applicable to dental hygienists and the scope of responsibility for medical emergency management as dictated by state dental practice law. Includes content and use of emergency kits, oxygen support systems, use of ASA classification to evaluate risk, and emergency management simulations.

Introduces the principles of periodontics with a focus on the recognition of tissues in health and disease, macro and microanatomy of the periodontium, and histopathology of periodontal diseases and other related gingival conditions. This course explains the theory and discussion of periodontal assessment, etiology, epidemiology, inflammatory process/immune response, and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Periodontal Disease Classification System.

Analyzes the anatomy and function of the head and neck with emphasis on the muscles of mastication and facial expression, bones of the head and neck, the temporomandibular joint, lymphatics, glandular system, vascular supply, nervous system, and the oral cavity.

Examines the science of dental materials providing a sound knowledge of the use and function of these materials in clinical practice. Covers didactic and laboratory experiences of the physical properties, chemistry, and clinical applications of the materials used in the practice of dentistry.

Examines general pharmacology and discusses relevant drugs that may influence the management of dental hygiene patients. Completion of the course enables students to perform safe and effective evaluations of patients for dental hygiene treatment.

Covers the theory and practice of pain management and anxiety control as applied to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. This course emphasizes mastery of the armamentarium, techniques of local and regional anesthesia, and nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation. This course covers the knowledge and skills necessary to administer local anesthetics and nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation proficiently and safely.

Develops knowledge related to the use of diode lasers in dental hygiene treatment. Introduction to the physics of laser technology with safe integration into the dental hygiene clinical setting.

Builds on introductory concepts with emphasis on enhancing skill and knowledge in patient assessment, instrumentation and instrument maintenance, preventive and adjunctive dental hygiene procedures.

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

Develops knowledge in the concepts, methods, and social determinants of health related to improving oral health in the community. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based strategies for the development of oral health promotion, oral disease prevention and oral health management programs.

Focuses on the fundamentals of general pathology and the disease process. Covers oral pathology with emphasis on recognition and identification of pathologic conditions that most frequently occur around the oral cavity. Helps students identify appropriate referral mechanisms to render a definitive diagnosis.

Focuses on the transition from an educational environment to a working dental business. Enables the student to learn management skills of operating a dental office. Emphasizes opportunities for self-exploration in development of personal and professional goals. Examines professional ethics, legal issues, and the relationship to the licensed practice of dental hygiene.

Provides practical application of community dental health theory and opportunities to conduct needs assessments on a variety of populations. Emphasizes meeting the educational needs of specific populations through program planning, implementation and evaluation. Incorporates supervised field experiences in low-income, school and other public facilities as well as private health and education oriented organizations.

Continues to explore theoretical/clinical preparations with emphasis on dental hygiene process of care, treatment planning, non-surgical treatment, evaluation of treatment, and maintenance needs of the periodontal patient. Develops research and decision making skills with use of library and Internet resources relating to risk factors, etiologic agents, and treatment modalities. Includes comprehensive periodontal assessment, supplemental diagnostics, periodontal pharmacology, and evidence based treatment planning.

Provides the didactic theory for clinical practice of dental hygiene skills at the beginning of the second year of dental hygiene curriculum. Builds on clinic theory from first year curriculum to provide the knowledge base needed for treatment of patients with more advanced periodontal disease and medical/health factors. Focuses on: periodontal charting and documentation, interpretation of periodontal factors on radiographs, use of treatment planning in the dental hygiene process of care, legal parameters of record keeping and informed consent, use of oral photography, application of sealants, treatment of dental hypersensitivity, application of chemotherapeutics and professional oral irrigation, application of ergonomics in dentistry, clinical dental hygiene treatment considerations for patients with history of cardiac complications and diabetes.

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

Serves as the capstone course of the final semester of a two-year curriculum. Prepares the student for two major goals: basic competence for transition to provision of dental hygiene services in private practice; and the ability to successfully pass both written National Boards examinations and regional dental hygiene clinical examinations. Emphasizes the application of case based learning. Major topics include: cosmetic bleaching, air powered polishing devices, application of the re-evaluation process in treatment planning for periodontally involved cases, preparation for the CRDTS regional clinical exam process, application of an effective tobacco cessation process, technique and process for gingival curettage, technique and process for amalgam polishing and margination, care of cosmetic dental restorations, and maintenance of implants.