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Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title DH 1510: Principles of Dental Hygiene I

Catalog Description

Credits 2
Hours/Week 2
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) BIOL 1217
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) NA

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the etiology and prevention of dental diseases, infection control, patient assessment, normal oral conditions, periodontal assessment, polishing, patent education and the history of the dental hygiene profession.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

December, 2023

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Infection control
  2. Patient assessment, systems review and vital signs
  3. Extraoral and intraoral examination
  4. Hard and soft deposits
  5. Periodontium: Health vs. Disease
  6. Dental stains and agents applied with prophy angle/brush
  7. Periodontal assessment
  8. Teaching effective biofilm control techniques to the patient
  9. History of dental hygiene profession

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Describe the current CDC standards of infection control for the dental setting.
  2. Discuss the need for comprehensive patient assessment.
  3. Describe a comprehensive intra- and extraoral examination.
  4. Recognize the need for comprehensive medical and dental histories on all patients.
  5. Provide a rationale for recording patient vital signs in dental practice.
  6. Differentiate among soft and hard deposits which occur in the oral cavity.
  7. Describe the normal, healthy periodontium.
  8. Describe the different types of extrinsic and intrinsic dental stains.
  9. Describe the rationale for application of various agents to the teeth with a prophy angle/brush.
  10. Outline the components of a baseline periodontal assessment.
  11. Describe the principles of basic biofilm control and factors to teach the patient.
  12. Identify the role of patient compliance with biofilm control and successful treatment outcomes/prevention of disease.
  13. Discuss the evolution of the profession of dental hygiene.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

NA

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Communication
Students will communicate appropriately for their respective audiences.
Personal and Professional Accountability
Students will take responsibility as active learners for achieving their educational and personal goals.

Special Information (if any)

None