DHY 181 - Dental Hygiene I

1. Examine the utilization and manipulation of the electronic patient documentation system that is currently used in conjunction with the accepted SOAP system within the scope of patient care at our DMACC dental hygiene clinic.
   1. Distinguish between the various components of the electronic patient record system, locate those components as needed, and indicate how each would be utilized during the course of patient care.
   2. List the various components of the SOAP documentation system and defend the placement of various pieces of collected data, processes, treatment and education into a particular portion of that system.
   3. Translate all patient assessment, treatment plan, problems, goals, completed procedures and patient education into a structured SOAP format.
2. Describe the basic principles of accepted patient treatment regimens within the scope of practice of a clinical dental hygienist.
   1. Summarize the theory of selective polishing and the rationale for practicing it in relationship to the specific parameters of individual patient needs.
   2. Identify the correct mechanical application of various modalities for polishing and select an appropriate choice per patient within the accepted standard of patient care.
   3. Identify the accepted standard of care for the use of various disclosing solutions, assorted dental flosses, various oral irrigators, polishing strips, available home care products, and available fluoride options.
   4. Review the various parts of a periodontal probe and describe the use of that probe to verify multiple aspects of a patient’s periodontal status during clinical assessment processes.
   5. Explain all of the clinical findings collected during the periodontal evaluation both in professional terms for the benefit of a colleague’s understanding, as well as paraphrased into layman’s terms for the benefit of a patient’s understanding.
3. Analyze the structures and functions of the periodontium both in health and diseased scenarios and distinguish between the two conditions.
   1. Examine the clinical and microscopic anatomy of the dentogingival unit/periodontium.
   2. Identify the parameters that determine the definition of health.
   3. Identify the parameters that determine the definition of disease.
   4. Distinguish between gingival disease vs. periodontal disease and current theories of disease progression.
   5. Separate local disease-influencing factors from systemic disease-influencing factors.
   6. Relate the concept of systemic risk factors for periodontal disease to the relationship of periodontal disease as a risk factor for systemic diseases.
   7. Outline the classifications of inflammatory periodontal disease and the interrelationship with hormones, medications, systemic diseases and dental implants.
4. Evaluate policies and procedures presented in DMACC’s “Basic Outline for Clinical Procedures” as they pertain to simulated clinical case studies.
   1. Predict life endangering emergency conditions and demonstrate methods to avoid such emergencies.
   2. Produce a list of preparation strategies to meet any medical emergency within a clinical setting.
   3. Choose dependent adult/child abuse indicators that necessitate the implementation of “mandatory reporter” protocols.
   4. Compute papilla bleeding index (PBI), patient hygiene performance (PHP), Deposit Classification, and Periodontal Disease Classification according to assessment data and recognized indices.
5. Analyze the principles and methods currently recommended for the prevention and control of dental caries and periodontal disease.
   1. Illustrate a program of prevention taking into account primary, secondary and tertiary measures.
   2. Outline dental health education that incorporates motivational approaches and patient-centered considerations.
   3. Select educational processes that utilize “sequence of instruction”, incorporate principles of learning, engage a multidimensional approach, and emphasize short/long term goal setting.
   4. Examine various teaching aids and intraoral devices designed to enhance the achievement of educational goals.
6. Assess the variety of intra oral cleansing devices and hygiene products available for home care use by the consumer, and the dental hygienist’s role in the prescription of these devices or products.
   1. Distinguish between many varieties of manual toothbrushes versus electric toothbrushes, including bristle composition, head and handle configuration, mode of action, historical evolution, cost, and evidence-based effectiveness.
   2. Describe the various patient parameters and product components or ingredients that would indicate the prescription of any particular toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth rinse, oral cleansing device, or any other supplemental product.
   3. Explain the sanitary care practices for the maintenance of any oral hygiene care item or device.
   4. Discuss the evidenced-based research necessary to make informed prescriptions of oral care devices and products.
7. Relate how fixed and removable prostheses impact the oral environment and the comprehensive care plan that is facilitated by the dental hygienist.
   1. Identify the different “appliances” and “prostheses”  that affect oral health outcomes
   2. Relate various “appliances/prostheses” to functionality, assessment processes, disease control practices, home care practices, patient education requirements, and patient compliance issues.
8. Distinguish normal mechanical relationships between the teeth of the maxillary arch and the mandibular arch versus typical deviations between the two arches.
   1. Explain the rationale for determining evolving arch relationships in the primary dentition and the erupting permanent dentition.
   2. Describe the effects of malocclusion pertaining to functionality, facial profile, proximal contacts, pathological migration, traumatic influences, effect on supporting periodontium, tooth mobility, fremitus, temporomandibular disease, wear facets and attrition.
   3. Classify the various types of deviations based on molar relationship, canine relationship, and mal-relationships between groups of teeth according to Angle’s classification system.
   4. Indicate factors relevant to patient education.
9. Evaluate the indicators for vitality pulp testing and the principles of application for testing.
   1. Predict the need for a pulp vitality test based on patient symptoms.
   2. Indicate the need for thermal, percussion or electric pulp vitality testing.
   3. Select the correct armamentarium depending on which test is performed.
10. Appraise the definition, action, indications and techniques of application of pit and fissure sealants as part of a complete preventive program.
    1. Differentiate between the available sealant options, the composition of each, the application conditions, the patient behavioral situation, radiographic findings, and relate each to patient requirements.
    2. Examine current evidenced-based research on available sealant options, identify limiting factors, contrast beneficial factors, and compare this evidence to current clinical practice.
11. Evaluate the influence of patient/clinician experiences in a clinical setting as they pertain to ongoing professional growth.
    1. Judge the degree that a particular clinical experience has contributed to professional growth
    2. Assess the long-term effect on clinical skills or patient management techniques in similar situations with future patients.
    3. Describe the value of collaboration among the various health care professionals and summarize the various ways that they can and should collaborate for the best possible patient care outcomes.