10-508-105Dental Hygiene Process 1
Course Information
Description
Introduces Dental Hygiene students to the basic technical/clinical skills required of practicing Dental Hygienists including use of basic dental equipment, examination of patients, and procedures within the dental unit. Under the direct supervision of an instructor, students integrate hands-on skills with entry-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The course also reinforces the application of Dental Health Safety skills.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Operate the dental unit
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    operate the major dental equipment (ex. patient chair, operator/ assistant stools, dental unit, light)
    wear personal protective equipment

  2. Position patient, clinician, and equipment
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    adopt proper ergonomics for the practice of dental hygiene
    demonstrate patient positioning based on individual needs
    place a patient in correct supine positioning
    position patient and clinician correctly according to clock-hour positions
    place dental equipment in an accessible, ergonomically comfortable position to carry out dental hygiene treatment

  3. Provide patient comfort
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    inquire about the patient's comfort
    recognize signs of discomfort in the patient
    adjust patient position to maximize patient and clinician comfort
    adjust instrumentation to maximize patient comfort
    identify the need to use pain control techniques

  4. Manipulate the mouth mirror
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    position the patient and clinician properly
    select the correct armamentarium
    demonstrate retraction of tongue and vestibule (cheeks)
    demonstrate transillumination
    demonstrate indirect vision
    identify oral structures using the mouth mirror
    use the dental mouth mirror with dominant and non-dominant hand

  5. Perform extraoral examinations
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    select correct armamentarium
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the peer patient and clinician correctly
    perform a complete extraoral exam
    accurately record significant findings in patient's chart
    verbally describe extraoral exam process

  6. Perform intraoral examinations
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    select the correct armamentarium
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the peer patient and clinician correctly
    perform complete intraoral exam
    verbally describe intraoral exam process
    record any significant findings in patient's chart

  7. Manipulate periodontal probe
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    adapt the use of the probe on a typodont, selecting the correct working end
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    select correct armamentarium
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the peer patient and clinician correctly
    select the correct probe and explain why you chose it
    adapt the use of the probe on a peer, selecting the correct working end
    identify the correct probe reading
    record probe readings in a periodontal chart
    explain the relevance of the perio readings to the patient's gingival health

  8. Perform gingival examination
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    select correct armamentarium
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the peer patient and yourself (clinician) correctly
    illustrate the anatomy of gingiva and supporting structures
    assess gingival conditions including color, contour, texture, and consistency
    recognize any abnormalities
    chart gingival findings in a periodontal chart

  9. Manipulate dental explorers
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    select correct armamentarium
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the peer patient and clinician correctly
    select the correct explorer for detecting calcified accretions
    select the correct working end
    manipulate the explorer on a typodont
    adapt the explorer on a peer patient
    record findings on the patient's chart

  10. Assess the oral hygiene status
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    select correct armamentarium
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the peer patient and clinician correctly
    apply disclosing solution
    interview the patient to learn about current homecare practices
    accurately chart and calculate presence of biofilm
    correlate the location and amount of biofilm to current homecare practice

  11. Demonstrate proper tooth brushing and interdental cleaning techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    select the correct armamentarium
    use visual aids including models, toothbrush, dental floss and adjuncts
    model safety precautions and follow infection control protocol
    perform and explain all critical steps in the correct order for brushing
    perform and explain all critical steps in the correct order for interdental cleaning
    answer questions asked by patient
    use terminology the patient understands
    give the patient opportunity for practice and provide feedback
    communicate professionally with the patient

  12. Chart restorations and existing conditions of the dentition
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    chart reflects G.V. Black's Classification of Cavities
    chart reflects condition of the external and internal structures of the oral cavity
    chart reflects dental restorations
    chart reflects restorative problems
    chart reflects accurate interpretation of previously charted conditions
    chart is accurate

  13. Document treatment, oral findings, procedures, and dental hygiene services that have been performed
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    documentation accurately reflects teeth using given numbering system correctly
    documentation accurately and truthfully reflects dental services rendered
    documentation reflects correct terminology and abbreviations
    documentation complies with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies
    documentation is well organized
    documentation reflects correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    documentation reflects correct alterations

  14. Manipulate scalers
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    give rationale for using a scaler
    position the patient and clinician correctly
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    select correct armamentarium
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    select the correct working end
    place the instrument correctly according to design features
    adapt the scaler to maxillary and mandibular teeth
    adapt and activate instrument

  15. Manipulate area specific curettes
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    give rationale for using an area specific curette
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the patient and clinician correctly
    select the correct armamentarium
    select the correct working end
    place the instrument correctly according to design features
    adapt the correct working end on maxillary and mandibular teeth
    activate the instrument using a mouth mirror on maxillary and mandibular teeth
    demonstrate both exploratory and working strokes

  16. Manipulate universal curettes
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    give rationale for using a universal curette
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the patient and clinician correctly
    select the correct armamentarium
    select the correct working end
    correctly position the universal curette
    adapt and activate the correct cutting edge on maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth
    adapt and activate the correct cutting edge on maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth
    demonstrate both exploratory and working strokes

  17. Perform polishing procedure
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    explain procedures to peer patient
    wear personal protective equipment
    prepare peer patient with protective equipment
    position the patient and clinician correctly
    select the correct armamentarium
    perform all critical steps in the correct order
    employ safety precautions when using handpiece
    communicate professionally with the patient

  18. Sharpen dental instruments
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    follow safety and infection control protocol
    assess the sharpness of the cutting edge using glare technique
    select the correct armamentarium
    demonstrate correct angulation or clock hour positioning of stone and blade
    sharpen dull instruments to correct specifications using a dental stone
    test sharpness using a plastic test stick or suitable system
    instruments are sharpened to meet specifications
    demonstrate proper care of sharpening stone

  19. Classify instruments
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    identify the instrument by name
    identify the instrument by type
    handle instruments correctly
    identify the instrument function
    assemble instruments for use

  20. Interpret vital signs on clinic patients
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    classify the stages of normal and elevated blood pressure
    alert the instructor if a patient has abnormal vital signs prior to any dental procedure
    contrast a normal heart rate vs. an abnormal heart rate

  21. Incorporate medical history findings in treatment decisions
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    document medications using a variety of references
    evaluate the patient for any medical condition which may alter treatment or require medical consult
    document medical alerts