Course Descriptions

DH 101 (F) 2 hrs. cr.
Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene I - Lecture
This course provides the student with the basic fundamental theories, concepts (knowledge) and principle guides necessary to begin providing care and dental hygiene services to the public.

DH 102 (S) 4 hrs. cr.
Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene II
Continuation of DH 101 with further enrichment of skills necessary to perform preventive oral health services. Theories and principles are applied in clinical laboratory setting. Two hours lecture, 6 hours lab per week. Prerequisites: DH 101 with minimum grade of "C" or instructor's permission.

DH 103 (F) 2 hrs. cr.
Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene I - Lab
Introduction to the practical application of the fundamental theories, principles, and procedures necessary to provide laboratory clinical dental hygiene services. These theories and principles are applied in a clinical laboratory setting. Six hours lab per week.

140 (F) 1 hr. cr.
Dental Morphology
Detailed study of morphology of deciduous and permanent teeth in relation to fossal cusps, grooves, ridges, roots, and the relationship of form and function. Occlusion and malocclusion are studied according to their relationship to dental health. A self-instructional program supplemented by one hour lecture per week.

DH 150 (F) 3 hrs. cr.
Oral Histology and Embryology
Study of the gross and microscopic development of the teeth, supportive structures of the teeth, and embryology and anatomy of head and neck region. Two hours lecture, three hours lab per week.

DH 160 (S) 2 hrs. cr.
Dental Radiology
Theory and technique of exposing, developing, mounting, and care of dental radiographs utilizing traditional x-ray technology and state of the art digital radiography. Interpretation of radiograph findings is discussed with principles of radiation safety; and prediagnostic techniques. Recognition and identification of normal anatomical radiographic landmarks, as well as abnormalities with emphasis on case studies and patient management. One hour lecture, two hours lab per week.

DH 190 (Summer) 2 hrs. cr.
Clinical Dental Hygiene I
Introduction to clinical practice of dental hygiene. Experience in providing patient services through performing oral prophylaxis, periodontal assessment, exposing and processing radiographs, presenting patient education, preventive applications, and charting the oral cavity. Sixteen hours lab per week, one hour of lab will be used per week for content and organizational review of course. Prerequisite: DH 102 with minimum grade of "C" and CPR Certification course C.

DH 220 (S) 3 hrs. cr.
Dental Materials
Information about various dental materials including the physical and chemical properties of dental materials and the applicaiton and manipulation of materials used in dentistry. Students learn to make alginate impressions, plaster models, and manipulate other materials. Required course for dental hygiene curriculum. Prerequisite: DH 101 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene I and DH 140 Dental Morpology and DH 150 Oral Histology and Embryology with a "C" or above or instructor's permission. Two hours lecture, two hours lab per week.

DH 290 (F) 5 hrs. cr.
Clinical Dental Hygiene I/Local Anesthesia (Writing Intensive)
Continuation of DH 190 with added responsibilities as skills develop. Lecture information on advanced dental hygiene techniques and techniques for local anesthesia and pain control. Practical experience in infiltration anesthesia during the laboratory session. Multicultural experience is gained through rotations in extended campus facilities. One hour lecture, 16 hours clinical lab per week. Prerequisites: DH 190 with minimum grade of "C" or instructor's permission.

DH 300 (F) 3 hrs. cr.
Dental Health Education
Fundamentals of teaching and learning theories. Development of teaching units and lesson plans for various public groups and/or organizations, practical experience in public schools and community groups, and experience in providing dental health education to mentally and physically handicapped and geriatric patients. Three hours lecture per week.

DH 310 (S) 2 hrs. cr.
Nutrition
Nutrition and diet as related to dental health, biochemistry of digestion, and the utilization of nutrients. Special emphasis on dietary analysis as part of total health care and the role of the dental hygienist in providing nutritional counseling. Two hours lecture per week.

DH 320 (F) 2 hrs. cr.
Pharmacology
Principles of drug actions and characteristics of major drug groups including sources of drugs, methods of their administration, classification, dosage, therapeutic action, and drug interactions. Emphasis on drugs affecting oral health and drugs used in dentistry. Two hours lecture per week.

DH 330 (S) 3 hrs. cr.
Ethics and Community Dentistry
Professional ethics and commitment, professional organizations, state practice acts, and practical consideration of methods and problems associated with operating and maintaining a dental practice. Definition and identification of the scope of public and dental public health. Consideration of philosophy; health legislation; federal, state, and local health programs; needs and demands for dental care; and mechanisms for financing dental care. Three hours lecture per week. Prerequisites: DH 200 with minimum grade of "C".

DH 340 (Summer) 4 hrs. cr.
Perio-Pathology
Lecture periods are devoted to the study of oral pathological conditions, including etiology, degenerative process, inflammation and immunity. Etiology, assessment, treatment, and prevention of periodontal disease is stressed. Four hours lecture per week.

DH 390 (S) 5 hrs. cr.
Clinical Dental Hygiene III
Continuation of DH 290. Clinical experience in advanced clinical procedures and dental assisting procedures, including experience in extended campus facilities. Principles of four-handed dentistry in the lecture portion and discussion of the eight recognized dental specialties including their relationship to preventive dentistry. One hour lecture, 16 hours lab per week. Prerequisite: DH 290 with minimum grade of "C" or instructor's permission.