Dental Hygiene

This course is the study of the microscopic anatomy of the oral tissues and embryonic development of the face, neck and oral cavity and the underlying relationship of the structures.

The dental hygiene students will be introduced to techniques for exposing digital intra-oral full mouth series and extra-oral dental radiographs on manikins and classmates. The students will learn how to evaluate these images for diagnostic quality using the Criteria for Radiographic Acceptability. The students will also learn the process for exporting radiographs to other dental healthcare providers. Students will document radiology services on electronic dental software. Appropriate infection control techniques and radiation safety precautions required in a dental setting will be implemented.

This lab course provides the dental hygiene students the opportunity to examine the location, anatomy, morphology and form and function of each tooth in the permanent and primary dentitions in a lab and/or clinical setting through group and individual activities. Angle’s Classification of Malocclusion will also be studied. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in a dental setting will be implemented.

This course provides students with fundamental dental hygiene theory. Topics include the history, philosophy, and ethics relevant to the dental hygiene discipline. Students will study patient assessment, etiology and prevention of oral diseases, and the management of patient records.  Recognizing signs of abuse or neglect and reporting will also be studied.

Skill development sessions are structured to develop actual experience in ergonomic principles, patient assessment, extraoral and intraoral exam, instrumentation skills, deposit removal, mechanical polishing, and topical fluoride application.  Small groups will be utilized for practical application skills, with students working on each other or using simulation manikins.  Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in a dental setting will be implemented.

Students will examine the dental hygiene process of care. Caries risk assessment and oral health prevention, motivational interviewing, evidence-based decision making, instrument sharpening, power scaling and will also be studied. Methods for documentation of periodontal care will be analyzed.

Students will provide direct patient care in a supervised clinical setting using the dental hygiene process of care. The clinical experiences will include patient assessment, radiographs, dental hygiene diagnosis, oral health education, oral prophylaxis and periodontal therapy. Students will provide dental hygiene care to patients with periodontal health, gingivitis, or Stage I or II periodontitis. Individuals of all ages, including medically compromised patients, will be treated. Students will be required to document patient care using the SOAP method. Appropriate infection control techniques and radiation safety precautions required in dental settings will be
implemented.

This course presents the study of periodontal diseases as the scientific basis for dental hygiene, with recognition of the etiologic risk factors, characteristics and abnormal conditions in the supporting tissues of the teeth and their substitutes. The course will focus on the role of the dental hygienist in assessing and classifying periodontal disease. The progression of periodontal diseases and how immunity and inflammation relate to periodontal disease will also be discussed.

In this course the dental hygiene student will study the principles of pharmacology to gain knowledge to provide safe and therapeutic dental hygiene care. Content includes indications and contraindications for use, pharmacological effects, adverse reactions and interaction of drugs. Special consideration is given to drugs commonly used in dentistry, as well as oral implications of drugs.

This online course is the study of the hard and soft tissues of the head and neck including bones, muscles, nerves, blood supply, glands and how they function. This course will also include regional study of fasciae and spaces, as well as the spread of infection.

The dental hygiene student will learn to recognize oral lesions and conditions, describe them using professional terminology and, through assessment, assist in the preliminary diagnosis of oral diseases and oral manifestations of systemic disease. This course covers the pathologic conditions likely to be encountered in dentistry.

This lab course is designed to prepare the student to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation to patients for pain management during dental treatment. Instruction includes a review of anatomy of the head and neck, pharmacology of anesthetic and analgesic agents, patient pre-evaluation, injection techniques, recognition of adverse patient reactions and management of emergency procedures. Student will be administering local anesthesia and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation to lab partners.   Successful completion of this course will fulfill the administration of local anesthetic and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation required by the North Dakota State Board of Dentistry. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in dental settings will be implemented.

This course is a continuation of the study of periodontology for the dental hygienist. Topics include host response, systemic and local factors, nutrition and tobacco use and their roles in the periodontal disease process. Radiographic analysis, chemical agents and host modulation will also be studied. The course concludes with the study of periodontal surgical concepts, acute periodontal conditions, periodontal disease in the pediatric population and the impact of periodontitis on systemic health.

This course is designed to provide the dental hygiene students with an understanding of the physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of treating patients with special needs.

This course is designed for students to perform expanded duties delegated to dental hygienists by the North Dakota State Board of Dentistry. Students will be working on typodonts, manikins or classmates to gain lab or clinical competency. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in dental settings will be implemented.

This course provides an orientation to the national board dental hygiene exam and clinical licensure exam process. Case studies will be analyzed. Importance of dental hygiene community service and interprofessional collaboration will be examined. Students will design a resume and cover letter, and practice interview skills.

The student will provide dental hygiene clinical patient care, under supervision, to individuals of all ages, including medically compromised patients. This course is a continuation of DHYG 139 Clinic II. Students will provide dental hygiene care to patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis, as well as periodontal health, gingivitis, or Stage I or II periodontitis. Emphasis will be placed on more challenging clinical skills and patient assessment. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in dental settings will be implemented.

This course is designed to prepare the student for the transition from student to dental hygienist. The student will continue providing dental hygiene care to a diverse population, under supervision. Honing clinical skills while working with patients with complex needs and increasing time management will be emphasized. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in dental settings will be implemented.

This course provides the students with the study of community oral health relevant to dental hygiene. An overview of the discipline of public health including epidemiological methods of investigation with an emphasis on patterns and trends of oral diseases will be studied. Course content highlights designing, implementing, and evaluating a community oral health promotion project and health education programs. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in dental settings will be implemented for the lab portion of this course.

The students will provide dental hygiene care in a community dental setting. Rotations, arranged by dental faculty, include experiences to enhance the student’s skill, knowledge and expertise. Additionally, the student will focus on improving time management. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in dental settings will be implemented.

The students will continue to provide dental hygiene care in a community dental setting.  Rotations, arranged by dental faculty, include clinical experiences to further enhance the student’s skill, knowledge and expertise. Student will demonstrate an increase in independence and time management. Appropriate infection control techniques and safety precautions required in dental settings will be implemented.