Dental Hygiene

Dental materials science is the study of materials used in dentistry and medicine to restore or replace any structure(s) within the oral cavity. The course will discuss the chemical composition, mechanical, physical properties and biological characteristics of metals, ceramics, polymers of composites and natural materials. The main goal of this course is to provide the essential information required to assist the dental hygienist with the selection, manipulation, placement and care of those materials used in their specialty. It will also expand their skills and knowledge in a variety of clinical applications of other materials used in general and restorative dentistry.

This course has been designed to provide the students with knowledge of the histology and embryological development of oral and para-oral structures. Special emphasis is placed on the growth, development, histology and functions of the enamel, dentin, periodontal ligament, cementum, bone, oral mucous membrane, salivary glands, and Temporomandibular joint.

This course will provide the student with the basic concepts and theories related to the performance of clinical dental hygiene. The course will provide an introduction to the Howard University College of Dentistry patient care system. Emphasis is placed on didactic knowledge of clinical protocol, patient assessment and treatment interventions. Opportunities will be provided for the student to identify his/her role as a dental hygienist with an emphasis on personal and professional development.

The intent of this course is to acquaint the first-year dental hygiene student with the fundamentals of Periodontics. Students will explore the basics of anatomy, physiology, neurology, lymphatics and hematology of the periodontium, epidemiology will be discussed. Students will be able to discuss in detail the classification and etiology of periodontal and gingival diseases.

This course is an extension of and is based on the course entitled, "Oral Histology". It is designed to correlate (as applicable) clinical appearance and symptomatic expression of disease with laboratory findings, radiographic appearance and microscopic features. As appropriate, emphasis will be placed on logical methodology and procedures for determining the correct diagnosis. Etiologic factors and therapeutic measures also discussed in this course is designed to provide the student with the currently accepted therapeutic modalities for the management of the medically compromised patients for the more common normal oral and abnormal oral conditions.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the use and care of dental hygiene armamentarium, to enable the student to develop skills and techniques necessary to perform practices and procedures of the dental hygiene appointment. The student will use the experiences to foster the patient care competencies for entry into the profession of dental hygiene. Laboratory sessions will allow for the development of competency in technical and judgmental skills necessary for clinical procedures. Peer patient experience will provide an introduction to the patient care system. Opportunities will be provided for the student to identify his or her role as a dental hygienist with an emphasis on personal and professional development.

This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of theories and principles in dental radiography. Lectures, seminars and laboratories will be used to prepare the student on the use of ionizing radiation in dentistry. Also, this course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of theories and principles used in the systematic analysis of dental radiographic images. Lectures and self-instructional resources will be used to expose the student to a variety of diagnostic images representing normal anatomic appearances.

The course covers anatomical structures and their relationships on structures of the head and neck. Students will leave this course not only with knowledge of the structure and relationships among the head and neck, but will also be conversant with anatomical terminology that will be used in other basic science courses and in their clinical practice. Also, this course is designed to provide opportunities for the student to learn the structure, morphology and function of the teeth and their supporting structures. Lectures, labs and identification exercises are incorporated. These will emphasize normal clinical appearance of the teeth and oral tissues as they apply to clinical dental hygiene.

This Community Dental Health hybrid course is designed to introduce the dental hygiene students to the dental public health delivery system in the United States and abroad, with emphasis on the governmental structures affecting dental hygiene care delivery. The historical development of the profession of dental hygiene, focusing on its inception as the true public health profession, will be presented. The prevention modalities encompassing public health dental hygiene will be discussed, including water fluoridation, dental sealants, fluoride mouth rinse programs, dental screening, dental health promotion and education activities, tobacco cessation programs 3 and other oral health interventions. Emphasis will be placed on the collaboration and partnership with a variety of health care professionals outside of the private dental practice delivery system as the student assesses, plans, implements and evaluates a public oral health program. A sociological approach include issues surrounding race, class, gender, the economy and legislation will also be introduced.

This course is designed to provide the student with continued experience in and knowledge of clinical dental hygiene. Also, this course is designed to enable the first-year dental hygiene students to evaluate the systemic and oral health of their patients. Clinical experiences will provide the opportunity to employ basic preventive skills, therapeutic care, and professional behavior.

This course presents a continued didactic approach to studying the fundamentals of dental hygiene. A continuation of infection control protocol and patient assessment will be emphasized. Dental hygiene theory, treatment planning, implementation, and evaluation will be reinforced along with special consideration when treating the medically compromised patient. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will demonstrate minimal competency in all aspects of dental hygiene care.

This course is designed to provide the student with more continued experience in and knowledge of clinical dental hygiene. This course continues pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric treatment with an emphasis on oral care, probing questions, medical consultations and human needs theory deficits and interventions for patients across the lifecourse, including special needs.

This course is designed to enable first year dental hygiene students to perform the procedures presented in the Pain Control course and enhance clinical experiences from Clinical Dental Hygiene II. Students will utilize patient partner clinic experiences and laboratory simulation in the delivery of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation.

This course is designed to emphasize the role of the dental hygienist in health communication, health promotion and health marketing as oral health educator, advocate and resource person for the community. As a hybrid course, self-directed learning will be fostered with online collaboration, school based health center participation at local DC public schools and full student participation in all aspects of this course for a successful final grade. Upon successful completion of lectures, tests, online assignments, reports and school based health center participation, the student will gain knowledge and experiences that will aid the student in the development and enhancement of interpersonal communication skills. These skills will cultivate an understanding of issues that impact the lives and oral health of consumers of all ages. This course will provide knowledge and experiences in utilizing available resources to reinforce the connection between lifestyle influences, learning behaviors, systemic health and oral health.

This course is designed to provide the dental hygiene student with clinical experiences in professionally relevant settings. Each student will prepare written reports (journal entries) that will be shared during the semester. Learning opportunities will vary from site to site. Using educational methods skills, the student will develop learning objectives for each selected site with guidance from the facilitator at each site. These learning objectives will support the learning contract. The student will prepare a Learning Contract for each practicum site. A written copy must be submitted to the course coordinator and be approved prior to the first visit. At the end of each site experience the student will evaluate the experience with the facilitator based on the established objectives. The student will submit a portfolio of their work over the two years in the dental hygiene program.

The purpose of this course is to provide continued clinical experiences for the second-year dental hygiene student in the practical application of educational, preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services. Students will begin to prepare for the transition from dental hygiene student to registered dental hygienist. Students will be provided guidance in increasing clinical competency in basic dental hygiene skills and problem solving. Emphasis will be placed on comprehensive patient care that uses the dental hygiene process of care, patient assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning, implementation and evaluation of dental hygiene care to include: patient education, instrumentation, application of preventive therapies, radiographic skills, non-surgical periodontal therapy, ultrasonic instrumentation, patient management, and sealants. The clinical sessions combine dental hygiene skills with time management techniques while enhancing the psychomotor instrumentation skills. Comprehensive treatment plans will be written and focus on critical thinking and patient care. Students are expected to complete assessments and delivery of dental hygiene services in a more expeditious and independent manner. The students will be scheduled in clinical rotations that will provide observations and /or experiences with the special care client population, hospital dental hygiene, pediatric clients, orthodontic clients, dental radiology and interpretation, and interaction with Advanced Education in General Dentistry residents.

The intent of this course is to present the field of Periodontics to the second-year dental hygiene student. Based on the foundation of the introductory course, the student will explore the diseases of the periodontium as well as surgical and non-surgical therapies. Students will gain experiences with autonomous decision making of evidence-based treatment planning and case management. The is a hybrid course that includes lectures in the classroom and online. Sixty (60) percent of lectures are online and forty (40) percent are in the face to face classroom. (The hybrid structure is subject to change and the course may become fully online if there is a Covid 19 resurgence this semester)

This course is designed to continue to enhance the skills necessary in providing clinical preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services. Students will continue with the transition from dental hygiene student to registered dental hygienist. Students will be provided guidance in advanced dental hygiene skills and problem solving. Experiences in comprehensive dental hygiene patient care will include advanced patient assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning, implementation and evaluation of dental hygiene care (patient education, nutrition counseling, non-surgical periodontal therapies, application of chemotherapeutic agents, advanced techniques in debridement and ultrasonic instrumentation, dental sealants and management of anxiety and pain. Emphasis will be placed on helping each student reach clinical competency and prepare for clinical practice.

This course is designed to introduce the student to dental office management and teach the student necessary skills to function as a productive dental team member. Emphasis will be placed on the practical aspects of office management and team building. Course content will focus on professional resumes, interviewing, hiring, computer programs, insurance, risk management, conflict resolution, marketing strategies, lifelong learning, and planning for retirement.

This course is a continuation of Clinical Dental Hygiene Theory I. It involves the didactic approach to implementing current dental hygiene services. After completing this course, the student will demonstrate competence when applying current dental hygiene methods. This is a hybrid course that includes 30% of lectures are online in Blackboard and 70% of lectures are in the face to face classroom.

This course is designed to advance the student in clinical care for the patient and to reinforce prior course materials presented while expanding the knowledge of the student. As a hybrid course, self-directed learning will be fostered along with online collaboration and full student participation. Upon successful completion of lectures, tests and assignments the student will be able to satisfactorily discuss and demonstrate advance instrumentation, chemotherapeutic aids, exposure and infection control along with exude confidence in presenting their table clinic topics to their peers and the public.

This hybrid course is designed to enhance critical thinking of the second year dental hygiene student in aspects of advanced instrumentation, advanced fulcrums and additional clinical techniques. The dental hygiene student will also be exposed to treatment modalities not formally included in dental hygiene curricula (treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), HIV screening chairside in dental offices and myofunctional therapy. Group research, group presentations and career longevity discussions will be conducted; culminating in individual table clinic presentations at the Nations' Capital Meeting sponsored by the District of Columbia Dental Society (DCDS).

This research practicum is designed to stimulate the students' interest in and the value of research in the field of dental hygiene. It will provide students with experiences to enhance their analysis of the current scientific literature and a basic understanding of research methodology important to evidence-based decision-making. Students will be able to: perform an electronic database search to review the current scientific literature, write an annotated bibliography and paper; critique a scientific research article from a refereed journal and perform a quality assurance review of patient clinical records.

The intent of this course is to acquaint the dental hygiene student with: the basics of nutrition, performing a digital dietary assessment, and providing nutritional education for the dental hygiene patient. Additionally, a specific focus on nutritional counseling and oral care maintenance will be provided for students to individualize these specifics in the patient's treatment care plans.