Common Course Outline
Course discipline/number/title
DH 2540: Principles of Dental Hygiene IV
Catalog Description
| Credits | 2 |
|---|---|
| Hours/Week | 2 |
| Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) | DH 2530 |
| Other requirements | None |
| MnTC Goals (if any) | NA |
Course Description
This course is a continuation of Principles of Dental Hygiene III with an emphasis on management of patients with physical or mental disabilities and other special needs, and nutritional assessments. Focus will also be in, resume writing and job interviews, legal and ethical responsibilities of the dental team, alternative dental settings/dental specialties, and health care delivery issues.
Date Last Revised (Month, year)
February, 2026
Outline of Major Content Areas
- Develop Resume/Cover Letter
- Nutritional assessments and risk factors
- Interviewing skills
- Special needs clinic clients
- Ethical and legal Issues in dentistry
- Alternative dental settings/dental specialties
- Access to care issues for dentistry
Learning Outcomes (General)
The student will be able to:
- Develop a comprehensive resume and prepare for an interview for a dental hygiene position.
- Counsel a patient toward improved nutrition to reduce caries susceptibility.
- Differentiate among various special needs patients and how they affect dental hygiene treatment.
- Prepare an oral presentation for the management of various special needs patient during dental hygiene treatment.
- Compare the different professional responsibilities of members of the dental team.
- Interpret the legal and ethical responsibilities of members of the dental team.
- Evaluate components of the Minnesota Dental Practice Act.
- Assess the role of the dental hygienist in the maintenance of optimal dental health.
- Identify several alternative practice settings and career choices for dental hygienists.
- Analyze the purposes of functions performed by dental specialists:
- Dental Anesthesiology
- Dental Public Health
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral Medicine
- Orofacial Pain
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Examine and analyze the delivery of dental health care services.
- Evaluate health care issues which will be of importance as you initiate your career as a Licensed Dental Hygienist.
- Assess the role of the dental hygienist as a member of the health care delivery team
- Appraise issues that currently affect the delivery of health care in this country.
Learning Outcomes (MnTC)
NA
Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning
Methods may include but are not limited to:
- Presentation of a special needs patient
- Resume and cover letter
- Nutritional counseling
- Ethical dilemma quizzes/reaction paper
- Philosophy statement
- Worksheets/Class activities
RCTC Core Outcome(s)
This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):
- Personal and Professional Accountability
- Students will take responsibility as active learners for achieving their educational and personal goals.
Special Information (if any)
None