Course Descriptions

• DH 305. Dental Hygiene Instrumentation. This course focuses on the development and application of the fundamentals of instrumentation. (3 semester hours) (1-2-0)
• DH 306. Medical Terminology. This course provides basic understanding of medical terminology as it applies to the structure, function, and diseases of the human body. (3 semester hours.) (3-0-0)
• DH 309. Dental Anatomy and Occlusion. This course is a study of dental anatomy and physiology. The focus will be on developmental and anatomical differences among teeth, root morphology, anomalies; and includes an introduction to static and dynamic occlusion. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 312. Primary Preventive Dentistry. This didactic course focuses on the science and practice of preventive dental care. The etiology and associated risk factors of common oral diseases are presented. The measures that promote oral health and prevent disease are emphasized: toothbrushing, toothpastes and mouth rinses, interproximal cleaning, diet modification, fluorides, sealants and oral risk assessments. Also included are health promotion theories and prevention of oral disease in various life stages. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0)
• DH 313. Radiology I. Study of radiology and its use in dentistry as a diagnostic aid. Theories of exposure, processing, evaluation, and interpretation of normal and abnormal structures are taught for both digital and film-based image capture. An emphasis is placed on normal anatomic structures viewed in periapical and panoramic surveys (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 316. Pathophysiology. A study of the pathology and oral health management of disease is offered in this course. Topics include functions of the cells, tissues, organs and organ systems and how they relate to the disease process, along with the inflammatory process and immunologic response. The course emphasizes normal and pathological responses to illness as related to the evaluation and treatment of the dental patient. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0)
• DH 317. Medical Emergencies Related to the Dental Office. A comprehensive study in the prevention, management, recognition, treatment and disposition of medical emergencies that may occur in the dental office. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 318. Dental Hygiene Principles and Practice I. This course is designed as an introduction to the Dental Hygiene Process of Care with emphasis on professionalism, infection control, data collection protocol and  components of patient assessment.   Upon successful completion of the lecture and laboratory sessions, students will apply knowledge and treat a patient in the dental hygiene clinic as part of the course completion. (3 semester hours) (2-1-0) Prerequisite: DH 305; Corequisite: DH 312
• DH 321. Head and Neck Anatomy. This course presents a detailed study of the skeletal, muscular, vascular and neural features of the head and neck. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 315. Oral Histology and Embryology. A study of the histology of teeth and surrounding structures. A survey of the elements of embryology of the head and neck, especially related to the development of the teeth, dental arches, salivary glands, buccal mucosa, pharynx and tongue are covered. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 326. Dental Hygiene Principles and Practice II. This course will expand on Dental Hygiene Principles & Practice I through additional lecture and laboratory sessions. Additional clinical procedures and practice will include nutritional counseling, sharpening of instruments, placement of chemotherapeutic and desensitizing agents, placement of sealants, caries detection techniques, use of ultrasonics and air polishers, and taking impressions for study models and bleaching trays. Prerequisites: Fall Junior year courses. (2 semester hours) (1-1-0)
• DH 327. Patient Care I. The focus of this course is on the development and application of clinical skills in assessment, care plans, implementation and evaluation of care. (2 semester hours) (0-0-2) Corequisite: DH 326
• DH328. Radiology II. This course expands the students knowledge from of the didactic portion of DH313 Radiology I. Radiologic surveys via the paralleling technique are exposed and evaluated. Panoramic radiographs are also exposed. (2 semester hour) (1-1-0)
• DH 331. Periodontics I. This course provides an introduction to periodontics. The focus is on biological and clinical aspects of periodontology including histopathology, etiology and diagnosis and treatment planning of periodontal diseases. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 332. Scientific Foundations. A study of the functions of the cells, tissues, organs and organ systems and how they relate to the disease process. The inflammatory process including the immunologic response and healing will be included. (3 semester hours.) (3-0-0)
• DH 336. Biomaterials of Dentistry. This course is designed to introduce the student to biomaterials employed in dentistry. Techniques and materials utilized in the clinical environment will be practiced in the Dental Hygiene Theory I lab. Prerequisites: All courses in previous semester. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) Corequisites: All courses in junior spring semester.
• DH 337. Anxiety and Pain Management. A fundamental course in methods used to control pain, fear and anxiety in the dental office. The course emphasizes the use of nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia. (1 semester hour) (1-0-0)
• DH 400. Introduction to Research. An introduction to research design emphasizing systematic investigation involving human subjects as it relates to data collection, analysis and interpretation of findings. Emphasis is on critical review of dental hygiene research studies and their application to clinical practice. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 402. Topics in Oral Health Research. Students taking this course should develop an understanding of and working practical knowledge of the principles taught in Research Methods, as well as the design of research, the analysis of data, and the application of statistical decision methods and tools for clinical decision-making. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0) Prerequisite: DH 401
• DH 405. Patient Care II. In this course, the student will expand on the application of patient care to a diversified population. Emphasis will also be on establishing competence in preventive and therapeutic procedures. (3 semester hours) (0-0-3) Prerequisites: DH 326 and DH 327; Corequisite: DH 418
• DH 412. Pharmacology. This course is a study of drug actions and their mechanisms when introduced to the body under specific conditions and the reactions of the body to these drugs. Special emphasis is placed on pharmacological knowledge that will provide more effective care of the patient by the dental hygienist. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0)
• DH 416. Oral Pathology. This course is a study of the definition, distribution, causality, resolution and outcomes of pathological conditions affecting the head and neck with emphasis on the oral and perioral areas. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0).
• DH 418. Dental Hygiene Principles and Practice III. This course will expand on the preceding Dental Hygiene Principles & Practice courses with continued discussion on theoretical, practical, and ethical concepts in dental hygiene. Specific emphasis on dental hygiene care of patients with various systemic, mental, physical disorders, and special needs will be covered. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) Prerequisites: All courses in previous semester. Corequisites: All courses in the senior fall semester.
• DH 419. Special Needs Patients. This course will examine the specific challenges associated with access to care, patient assessment, and the provision of oral health services for special needs patients. The clinical and case management of patients with special needs will be presented, with discussions on ethical considerations. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0)
• DH 429. Practice Management. This course will cover dental office practice and procedures; the importance of business methods in a profession, record systems including computer applications, accounting and collection of fees, resume development and interviewing skills. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0)
• DH 431. Periodontics II. This course will build on the foundation knowledge presented in Histology and Periodontology with emphasis on recognition, therapeutic surgical and non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) Prerequisites: DH331 and DH 327
• DH 432. Dental Hygiene Principles and Practice IV. This course will continue to present theoretical, practical and ethical concepts in dental hygiene. Content on dental/dental hygiene specialties and sub-specialties will be studied. Additional focus on dental practice acts and state and regional licensing differences will be discussed. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0)
• DH 433. Patient Care III. This course is a continuation of comprehensive Patient Care Services with emphasis on establishing entry-level competence in preventive and therapeutic procedures. (4 semester hours) (0-0-4)
• DH 435. Community Dental Health I. An introduction to the history, principles and ethics of dental public health. Included are theories and techniques of health promotion and disease prevention, distribution of oral diseases, principles of dental epidemiology and the use of dental indexes. (1 semester hour) (1-0-0)
• DH 437. Community Dental Health II. This course will provide a continuation of the didactic knowledge and skills obtained in DH 435 Community Dental Health I. Selected readings, discussion and practical experiences related to planning, implementation and evaluation of the teaching/learning process in community settings will occur. (2 semester hours) (1-1-0)
• DH 438. Oral Health Research I. This course is designed to further explore the research process by extensive review of current literature and developing and presenting a case report. (1 semester hour) (1-0-0)
• DH 439. Oral Health Research II. This course is a continuation of Oral Health Research I. Emphasis is on clinical problem solving of special needs patients by critically evaluating and interpreting the scientific literature. Students will review the oral health literature on a periodontal or unique case of their choice resulting in a written and verbal presentation. (1 semester hour) (1-0-0) Prerequisite: DH 438