Entry Level Track

DENH 3004. Oral Anatomy. 2 Credit Hours.

The oral anatomy course is designed to provide the dental hygiene student with instruction in dental terminology and the anatomy of the teeth. Emphasis is placed on clinical considerations of oral anatomy relevant to dental hygiene practice. Includes one (1) lecture hour and three (3) laboratory hours per week. Course fees: Materials fee $50 Prerequisites: Must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

DENH 3006. Preclinical Dental Hygiene. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to instrumentation techniques and basic clinical procedures. The course offers an opportunity to develop competency in fundamental clinical skills necessary to engage in patient treatment. Includes eight (8) clinical hours per week. Students must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program. Course fees: Lab fee $10 Corequisites: DENH 3023.

DENH 3018. Dental Radiography. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to scientific principles of oral radiography including essential terminology, the production and absorption of radiation, X-ray unit function, imaging systems, processing, quality assurance, radiation biology, and protection. This course is designed to emphasize radiation health and protection principles and techniques of intraoral and extraoral radiography, exposing, processing, mounting, and critical evaluation of dental radiographs. Laboratory experience and clinical applications are emphasized. Includes two (2) lecture hours and three (3) clinical hours per week. Students must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program. Course fees: Materials fee $50.

DENH 3019. Preventive Dental Hygiene Theory. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to concepts used in oral health instruction and patient education. Included in the course is the etiology of dental disease, plaque control, oral physiotherapy, methodology of oral health instruction, nutritional counseling, and patient motivational techniques. This course is designed to give the student an opportunity to develop skills which are necessary for teaching patients how to achieve optimal oral health and to offer experience in communication skills for interpersonal, professional and patient education interaction. The course will also provide an overview of current counseling recommendations to prevent dental and periodontal disease. Includes two (2) lecture hours and three (3) hours of lab per week. Students must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

DENH 3020. Clinic 1 Seminar. 2 Credit Hours.

This course presents current theoretical perspectives in which to interpret and expand dental hygiene care. Topics included within the course are cultural diversity, instrument sharpening, communication skills, ultrasonic scalers, and air abrasive polishers. Other topics related to beginning clinical practice are also incorporated. Includes two (2) lecture hours per week. Corequisites: DENH 3021, DENH 3020 Prerequisites: DENH 3023.

DENH 3021. Clinic 1 Practicum. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is a clinical experience in the practical application of patient education and oral prophylaxis techniques. Emphasis will be placed on comprehensive care for the simple patient classifications, including patient assessment, dental hygiene treatment planning, patient education, instrumentation, preventive therapies, and radiographic skills. Includes twelve (12) clinic hours per week. Course fees: Practicum fee $10 per hour Lab fee $30. Corequisites: DENH 3020 Prerequisites: DENH 3006, DENH 3018, DENH 3020.

DENH 3022. Dental Materials. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is a study of the materials and adjunct materials used in restorative dentistry and in various other specialty areas of dentistry to fabricate dental appliances and tooth restorations. This course includes lecture and laboratory components designed to help students develop an understanding of the composition, properties, structure, and manipulative variables of dental materials historically used in dentistry as well as the most current materials available. Emphasis is placed on practical, clinical applications of materials; the dental hygienist's role in educating patients regarding these materials; and the techniques for placement of the materials in the oral cavity. Also included is a discussion of the various categories of dental specialties and the materials used by each specialty. Includes two (2) lecture hours and three (3) lab hours per week. Course fees: Materials fee $50 Prerequisites: Must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

DENH 3023. Intro To Clinical Theory. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to the theory associated with clinical procedures and patient care. Topics include prevention of disease transmission in the dental setting and patient assessment skills such as vital signs, health history, and oral inspection. An introduction to ethics related to the dental setting is incorporated. Includes three (3) lecture hours per week. Corequisites: DENH 3006, DENH 3023 Prerequisites: Must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

DENH 3033. Structures Of The Head And Neck. 2 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to give dental hygiene students an appreciation of the anatomical structure of the head and neck region of the human body, which will serve as a foundation of anatomical knowledge that is essential for patient care and useful in understanding function, local pain, anesthesia, and oral pathology. Includes one (1) lecture hour and three (3) lab hours per week. Prerequisites: Must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

DENH 3034. Periodontics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course presents an in-depth study of the basics of periodontics. This course will include, but is not limited to, the following: the tissues of the periodontium, clinical assessment of the periodontium, classifications of periodontal diseases, identification of etiologic factors, the relationship of the immune response to the inflammatory process and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, clinical indices used in periodontics, and systemic factors involved in periodontal diseases. Emphasis is placed on the clinical application of current theory. Includes three (3) lecture hours. Students must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program. Corequisites: DENH 3021.

DENH 3035. Pharmacotherapeutics. 4 Credit Hours.

This course integrates elements of dental hygiene care as they relate to the treatment planning for special patients, understanding pharmacological agents used in dentistry, and management of medical emergencies in the dental office to include: concepts and practice related to the prevention, recognition, and management of medical emergencies that occur in the dental office with specific emphasis on systemic disease processes; understanding drug groups, their mechanism of action, dosage, indication of use, adverse effects, drug interactions, oral side effects in the treatment of human disease process, and its application in the dental hygiene clinical setting. Includes three (3) lecture hours and three (3) laboratory hours per week. Course Fees: Materials fee $ 50 Prerequisites: Must meet the basic requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

DENH 3040. Histology/Embryology. 2 Credit Hours.

This course continues the study of the oral cavity from a histological perspective. It includes the development and microscopic organization of the four basic body tissues in the formation of the oral cavity (i.e., development of the face, oral cavity, and teeth). This information is basic to the understanding of the histological changes arising from pathological alterations in the oral cavity. Includes two (2) lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: DENH 3033.

DENH 4012. Oral Pathology. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces the principles of human disease including pathogenesis, clinical appearance, and treatment. In certain instances, microscopic features will be discussed if they enhance the understanding of the disease process. A portion of the course is devoted to basic principles of general pathology. The majority of the course is an overview of oral pathology with an emphasis on the dental hygienist's role in the recognition of oral disease. Includes three (3) lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: DENH 3033, DENH 3040.

DENH 4015. Clinic 3 Practicum. 3 Credit Hours.

A continuation of DENH 4022 Clinic 2, this course provides students the opportunity to incorporate all learning in providing comprehensive dental hygiene care for patients with simple to complex needs with emphasis on more complex cases, gain experience in the practical application of dental hygiene diagnosis, utilize preventive techniques in patient education skills, practice oral prophylaxis techniques including advanced scaling, implement various management techniques for the difficult patient, and improve efficiency and effectiveness in patient care. Includes twelve (12) clinic hours per week. Course fees: Practicum fee $10 Lab fee $30 Prerequisites: DENH 4022 Corequisites: DENH 4016.

DENH 4016. Clinic 3 Seminar. 2 Credit Hours.

This course will provide the dental hygiene student with current theoretical perspectives in which to interpret and expand dental hygiene care. Advanced and adjunctive procedures for clients of special populations are presented in seminar format and build upon the basic concepts and skills learned during Preclinic, Clinic I, and Clinic II. Knowledge gained will be applied in clinical practice through new skill acquisition and expanded client care options. Professional ethical codes and major contemporary health issues facing the dental hygienist will be presented as well as legal aspects of health care and state Dental Practice Act requirements. Includes two (2) lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: DENH 4020. Clinic 2 Seminar Corequisites: DENH 4015.

DENH 4017. Community Oral Health Practicum 2. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is the continuation of the fall Community Oral Health Course Practicum 1 in which students apply public health/health education principles through implementing individual community oral health education projects, and through participating in service-learning activities outside the Dental School setting. Opportunities include rotations in public schools and in public health dental clinics. Emphasis is placed on students interacting with a variety of patients, including the physically and mentally challenged, indigent populations, and geriatric groups. Students gain experience in health education, as well as additional experience in providing clinical preventive services out in the community. Includes eight (8) clinic hours per week in off-campus rotations or community projects. Course fees: Practicum fee $10 per hour Prerequisites: DENH 4021.

DENH 4018. Introduction to Research. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to expand research knowledge in two dimensions; principles and applications. The course will consist of an in depth study of the research process, its contexts, design, data collection and communication techniques to provide learners with the analytical skills to interpret professional and scientific literature. Topics include: basic research terminology, critical evaluation of research design, methodology and sampling techniques, basic statistical calculations, data collection, and the application of evidenced based research to dental hygiene best practice. The course will also develop reading and writing skills within the context of face-to-face and/or virtual environments. Prerequisites: DENH 3020, DENH 3021, DENH 3034, DENH 3035, DENH 3040.

DENH 4019. Practice Management. 2 Credit Hours.

This course presents the fundamentals of dental practice for the transition from dental hygiene student to practitioner, including how to apply and maintain state licensure, state board regulations and procedures necessary to be in compliance as a clinician, how to manage production, interpersonal relationships among members of the dental health team, resumé writing and interviewing skills, retirement and future planning, and setting personal and professional goals. Emphasis will be on current issues in dental hygiene practice and on practical approaches to preparing students to enter the private practice setting as a member of the oral health team. Includes two (2) lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: DENH 3021, DENH 4021, DENH 4022, DENH 4026.

DENH 4020. Clinic 2 Seminar. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to provide the dental hygiene student with current theoretical perspectives in which to interpret and expand dental hygiene care. Advanced and specialized adjunctive procedures are presented in seminar format and build upon the basic concepts and skills learned during Preclinic and Clinic 1. Knowledge gained will be applied in clinical practice through new skill acquisition and expanded client care options. Case studies will be presented related to ethical issues encountered in clinical settings. Includes two (2) lecture hours per week. Corequisites: DENH 4022 Prerequisites: DENH 3020, DENH 3035, DENH 3034.

DENH 4021. Community Oral Health Practicum 1. 4 Credit Hours.

Community Oral Health Practicum 1, offered in the fall semester, is the prerequisite course to Community Oral Health Practicum II offered in the spring semester. The purpose of this course is to instill in students the important role of the dental hygienist in the community, and to provide an understanding of the relationship of community oral health to public health. Students will have an opportunity to learn how to promote oral health and prevent oral disease in the community. Students will have an opportunity to learn concepts such as assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of community-based programs. During this course, the students will plan a community oral health education program that is implemented and evaluated during Community Oral Health Practicum II. Cultural differences, socioeconomic factors and barriers to health care are discussed in relation to developing preventive programs. In addition, students will have an opportunity to learn about federal and state public health programs and current public health issues. Community oral health programs for vulnerable populations such as indigent, geriatric, and special-needs patients are included. Also, students will have an opportunity to participate in community service learning activities that will allow them to provide clinical and educational services to underserved populations. The course includes three lecture hours and four clinical hours per week. Course fees: Practicum fee $10 per hour Prerequisites: DENH 3021.

DENH 4022. Clinic 2 Practicum. 3 Credit Hours.

A continuation of DENH 3021 Clinic 1, this course provides further opportunity to incorporate all learning in providing comprehensive dental hygiene care for patients with simple to complex needs with an emphasis on moderate cases. In addition, this course provides an opportunity for the student to gain experience in the practical application of dental hygiene diagnosis, utilize preventive techniques in patient education skills, practice oral prophylaxis techniques including advanced scaling, and implement various management techniques for the difficult patient. Includes twelve (12) clinic hours per week. Course Fees: Practicum fee $10 per hour Lab fee: $30. Prerequisites: DENH 3021, DENH 3022, DENH 3034, DENH 3035 Corequisites: DENH 4020.

DENH 4025. Advanced Periodontics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course builds on the knowledge base presented in DENH 3034 Periodontics, and gives students the opportunity to expand their understanding of treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of periodontal disease. This course examines, but is not limited to, the following topics: the role of the hygienist in non-surgical soft-tissue management, exposure to surgical techniques, wound healing, new technology in diagnostic tools, and products used in treatment or home care. This course further emphasizes the integration of theory into the practice of clinical dental hygiene. Includes three (3) lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: DENH 3034 and completion of first year dental hygiene coursework.

DENH 4026. Healthcare Ethics. 1 Credit Hour.

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of professional and ethical issues facing dental hygiene professionals. Topics to be explored include the beliefs, fundamental principles, core values and standards of professional responsibility set forth in the ADHA Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists. Ethical dilemmas will be discussed and decision making models will be introduced and used to assist students in solving these dilemmas. Additionally, team-based learning activities will serve to support student learning. Prerequisites: DENH 3020, DENH 3021, DENH 3034, DENH 3035, DENH 3040.

DENH 4111. Current Issues In Dental Hygiene. 3 Credit Hours.

This course investigates trends influencing the practice of dental hygiene. The history and image of dental hygiene, career satisfaction, educational trends and access to care, independent practice and self-regulations are the issues addressed in this course. A closer look at the legal, political and ethical ramifications of these topic areas as they relate to the dental hygiene profession will be explored. Prerequisites: DENH 3021, DENH 4021, DENH 4022, DENH 4026.