Course Descriptions  

All course prerequisites may not be listed. Developmental reading courses are required if a student's reading placement test score indicates the need for RDG 035 and/or RDG 100 or the ESL equivalent. Developmental math courses are required if a student's math placement test score indicates the need for MAT 035 and/or MAT 100. Developmental English courses are required if a student's English placement test score indicates the need for ENG 035 and/or ENG 100, or the ESL equivalent. Students must discuss their placement test scores with an academic advisor before registering for any courses.

 

DAT 113

DENTAL MATERIALS

4.0 Credits

This course is a study of physical and chemical properties of matter and identification, characteristics and manipulation of dental materials. (Prerequisite: acceptance to Dental Assisting; Corequisite: DAT 154)

 

DAT 115

ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM

1.0 Credit

This course introduces a cursory history of dental assisting, professional associations, scope of service in dentistry and ethical, legal and professional considerations. The State Dental Practice Act is reviewed. (Prerequisite: acceptance to Dental Assisting; Corequisite: DAT 154)

 

DAT 118

DENTAL MORPHOLOGY

2.0 Credits

This course emphasizes the development, eruption and individual characteristics of each tooth and surrounding structures. This course also covers the embryology and histology of the head and neck. (Prerequisite: acceptance to Dental Assisting; Corequisite: DAT 154)

 

DAT 121

DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION

2.0 Credits

This course defines the responsibilities of the dental assistant in individual and community dental health education with emphasis on the etiology of dental disease, methods for prevention, and principles of nutrition in relationship to oral health and preventive dentistry. (Prerequisites: DAT 113, DAT 118, DAT 154; Corequisite: DAT 174)

 

DAT 122

DENTAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT

2.0 Credits

This course provides a study of the business aspect of a dental office. It includes exposure to dental practice management software. (Prerequisites: acceptance into the Dental Assisting program)

 

DAT 123

ORAL MEDICINE/ORAL BIOLOGY

3.0 Credits

This course presents a basic study of oral pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and common emergencies as related to the role of the dental assistant. (Prerequisites: BIO 110, DAT 118; Corequisite: DAT 174)

 

DAT 127

DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY

4.0 Credits

This course provides the fundamental background and theory for the safe and effective use of x-radiation in dentistry. It encompasses the history of x-rays, production and uses of radiation, radiographic film, exposure factors, interpretation of radiographs and radiation hygiene. (Prerequisites: BIO 110, DAT 118, DAT 154; Corequisites: DAT 174, DAT 183)

 

DAT 154

CLINICAL PROCEDURES I

4.0 Credits

This course includes preparation to assist a dentist efficiently in four-handed dentistry. Emphasis is on the names and functions of all dental instruments, the principles involved in their use and the assistant's role in dental instrumentation. (Prerequisite: acceptance to Dental Assisting; Corequisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 118)

 

DAT 174

OFFICE ROTATIONS

4.0 Credits

This is an introductory course to a general office with emphasis placed on chairside assisting and office management. (Prerequisites: DAT 113, DAT 154; Corequisites: DAT 121, DAT 123, DAT 127, DAT 183)

 

DAT 177

DENTAL OFFICE EXPERIENCE

7.0 Credits

This course consists of practice in the dental office or clinic, with rotation of assignments to encompass experiences in office management and clinical experience in all areas of dentistry. (Prerequisites: DAT 127, DAT 174)

 

DAT 183

SPECIALTY FUNCTIONS

3.0 Credits

This course is an introduction to dental specialties, the refinement, the roles served by assistants in the dental specialties and the expanded legal functions for qualified assistants. (Prerequisites: DAT 113, DAT154; Corequisites: DAT 127, DAT 174)

 

DHG 115

MEDICAL AND DENTAL EMERGENCIES

2.0 Credits

This course provides a study of the various medical/dental emergencies and appropriate treatment measures. Additionally, it includes managing medically compromised dental patients. (Prerequisite: DHG 151; Corequisites: DHG 121, DHG 161)

 

DHG 121

DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY

3.0 Credits

This course provides the application of the principles of radiology with emphasis on exposing, processing, mounting, evaluating and interpreting dental radiographs. Radiation safety is stressed. (Prerequisites: AHS 113, DHG 151; Corequisites: DHG 115, DHG 161)

 

DHG 125

TOOTH MORPHOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY

2.0 Credits

This course covers the embryogenesis and histology of the head and neck structures with primary emphasis on the oral cavity. The formation, eruption patterns and morphology of primary and permanent dentitions are studied. (Prerequisites: admission to DHG Phase II program; Corequisites: AHS 113, DHG 151)

 

DHG 140

GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY

2.0 Credits

This course provides a correlation of basic pathologic principles to disease processes in the oral cavity. The role of the dental hygienist in early disease detection is emphasized. Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of diseases affecting the head and neck are discussed. (Prerequisite: DHG 175; Corequisite: DHG 255)

 

DHG 141

PERIODONTOLOGY

2.0 Credits

This course presents a study of the principles, etiologies, classifications and treatments of periodontal disease with emphasis on the role of the dental hygienist. (Prerequisite: DHG 161; Corequisite: DHG 175)

 

DHG 143

DENTAL PHARMACOLOGY

2.0 Credits

This course provides a study of drugs used in dentistry. Emphasis is placed on the physical and chemical properties of the drugs, dosages and therapeutic effects, methods of administration, and indications/contraindications for the use of the drug. A study of dental anesthetics is included. (Prerequisite: DHG 161; Corequisite: DHG 175)

 

DHG 151

DENTAL HYGIENE PRINCIPLES

5.0 Credits

This course is a study of the principles of infection control and hazardous waste communication; instrumentation and instrument design; operator and patient positioning; operation of basic dental equipment; patient evaluation; and medical history review. (Prerequisite: admission to the DHG Phase II program; Corequisite: DHG 125)

 

DHG 161

CLINICAL DHG I FOUNDATIONS

4.0 Credits

This course completes the basic instrumentation instruction; introduces polishing and anticaries therapies; presents periodontal health assessment; and introduces the clinical setting for application of dental hygiene skills for patient care. (Prerequisites: DHG 125, DHG 151; Corequisites: DHG 115, DHG 121)

 

DHG 175

CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE II

5.0 Credits

This course provides for the continued development of the skills necessary to perform dental hygiene care. Emphasis is placed on total patient care and treatment planning. Introduction to dental hygiene supportive functions is presented. (Prerequisite: DHG 161; Corequisites: DHG 141, DHG 143)

 

DHG 230

PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY

3.0 Credits

This course provides a study of oral health and the prevention of oral disease in a community. Emphasis is on assessment of community groups and dental health needs and planning, implementation and evaluation of community programs. (Prerequisite: DHG 255; Corequisites: DHG 231, DHG 265)

 

DHG 231

DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION

1.0 Credit

This course provides an opportunity for the dental hygiene student to present and apply dental health information to various community groups and organizations. Project implementation and evaluation are included. Public speaking concepts will be addressed in this course. (Prerequisite: DHG 255; Corequisites: DHG 230; DHG 265)

 

DHG 239

DENTAL ASSISTING FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS

2.0 Credits

This course introduces the dental assisting role and responsibilities. Emphasis is on four-handed dentistry, the use and manipulations of dental materials, and office management. (Prerequisite: Admission to Phase II; Corequisite: DHG 151)

 

DHG 241

INTEGRATED DENTAL HYGIENE I

1.0 Credit

This course provides for the integration of the basic and dental hygiene sciences with current concepts of clinical dental hygiene practice. Client case studies will be used to enhance clinical decision making skills. (Prerequisite: DHG 175; Corequisite: DHG 255)

 

DHG 242

INTEGRATED DENTAL HYGIENE II

1.0 Credit

This course provides for the integration of the basic and dental sciences with current dental hygiene concepts. Emphasis is placed on ethical/legal aspects of dental hygiene practice and practice management techniques. Topics dealing with evidence based practices, dental hygiene research, and transition to non-academic clinical settings will be studied. (Prerequisite: DHG 255; Corequisite: DHG 265)

 

DHG 243

NUTRITION AND DENTAL HEALTH

2.0 Credits

This course provides a study of nutrients, their nature, source and utilization. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between diet and oral health. Oral manifestations of nutritional deficiencies are also studied. (Prerequisite: DHG 175; Corequisite: DHG 255)

 

DHG 255

CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE III

5.0 Credits

This course provides for the development of proficiency in the clinical dental hygiene setting with emphasis on the implementation of treatment plans to meet the individual patient's oral health needs. Also included in this course are concepts and experiences with geriatric patients, introduction to recent technological advances for periodontal debridement, and pain control for dental hygiene procedures via infiltration anesthesia. (Prerequisite: DHG 175; Corequisites: DHG 239, DHG 241, DHG 243)

 

DHG 265

CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE IV

5.0 Credits

This course permits refinement of clinical techniques and skills, technology and current procedural practices of the dental hygienist with emphasis on self-evaluation and quality assurance. Dental ethics and jurisprudence are addressed in this course. (Prerequisite: DHG 255; Corequisites: DHG 230, DHG 231, DHG 242)

 

DHG 272

DENTAL HYGIENE EXTERNSHIP

2.0 Credits

This course provides exposure to dental practices by means of office rotations, lectures and discussions. It also includes dental ethics and jurisprudence. (Prerequisite: DHG 175)