Chabot College
Fall 2003
Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 58
DENTAL OFFICE PRACTICE
Catalog Description:
58 - Dental Office Practice
1 unit
Dental office practices based on sound dental economics, legal and ethical framework of the State Dental
Practice Act, and patient needs and services. Opportunities in the dental hygiene profession. Corequisite:
Dental Hygiene 81B. 1 hour.
[Typical contact hours: 17.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Corequisite Skills:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
scale and root plane teeth using a systematic order, appropriate type, sharp and correctly contoured
instrument within minimum time and trauma;
2.
polish teeth, restorations and fixed appliances using appropriate abrasives and polishing agents;
3.
recognize clinically and discuss the value of preventive periodontal therapy and the role of the
hygienist in this activity;
4.
demonstrate consistency in performing soft tissue curettage on selected clinic patients using
appropriate local anesthetic agents;
5.
expose, process, mount, and interpret diagnostically acceptable radiographic surveys on clinic
patients;
6.
adapt and perform dental hygiene procedures for a variety of patients with special needs;
7.
use the intra-oral camera;
8.
maintain accurate, complete dental records;
9.
perform margination and polishing restorations on a variety of clinical patients;
10.
demonstrate clinical competency in infection control techniques/prevention of disease transmission;
11.
apply ethical reasoning to dental hygiene practice;
12.
serve all clients in the community without discrimination;
13.
provide humane and compassionate care to all patients/clients;
14.
demonstrate honesty in relationships with patients/clients, colleagues, and other professionals;
15.
ensure the privacy of the patient/client during treatment and confidentiality of patient/client records;
16.
adhere to state and federal laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene;
17.
obtain, review, and update vital signs, medical history, family history, social history, and dental history
while recognizing cultural differences in populations;
18.
manage the patient/client chart as a legal document and maintain its accuracy;
19.
determine medical conditions that require special precaution or consideration prior to and/or during
dental hygiene treatment;
20.
identify the patient/client at risk for a medical emergency and manage the patient/client care to
prevent an emergency;
21.
perform a comprehensive examination using clinical, radiographic periodontal and dental charting, as
well as other data collection procedures to assess the patient's/client's needs;
22.
determine priorities and establish oral health goals with the patient/client and/or guardian as an
active participant;
23.
establish a planned sequence of educational and clinical services based on the dental hygiene
diagnosis which includes etiology, prognosis, and treatment alternatives;
24.
obtain the patient's/client's informed consent based on a thorough case presentation;
25.
make appropriate referrals to other health care professionals;
26.
use accepted infection control procedures;
27.
provide an environment conducive to health by applying basic and advanced principles of dental
hygiene instrumentation without causing trauma to hard or soft tissue;
28.
control pain and anxiety during treatment through the use of accepted clinical and behavioral
management strategies;
29.
select and administer the appropriate antimicrobial or antibiotic agent with pre- and post-treatment
instructions;
30.
provide adjunct dental hygiene services that can be legally performed in the State of California;
Chabot College
Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 58, page 2
Fall 2003
31.
32.
33.
evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and education services and modify as necessary;
determine the appropriate maintenance schedule;
provide subsequent treatment or referrals based on evaluation of findings.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
identify the principles of ethical reasoning;
2.
define the theories of moral development and evaluate their role in cognitive development;
3.
discuss character and how character development can influence the health care
provider;
4.
define the moral philosophies that influence an individual’s thoughts and actions;
5.
identify the limits of practice of the dental hygienist as stated in the California Dental Practice Act;
6.
identify malpractice and illegal practice of the dentist, the dental hygienist, the dental assistant, and
the registered dental assistant as stated in the California Dental Practice Act;
7.
explain the role of principles in the decision making process of the dental hygienist;
8
identify unethical practice of the dental hygienist as stated in the Code of Ethics of the American
Dental Hygienist's Association;
9.
write a resume, given an outline, educational and work experience, licenses/degrees,
professional/community involvement;
10.
identify issues that may arise in the dentist-dental hygienist job interview and prepare solutions;
11.
given situations describing problems in communication between dental office personnel, or between
personnel and patients, identify the problems and propose solutions;
12.
define the responsibilities of the Registered Dental Hygienist as a mandated reporter of
suspected cases of abuse/neglect;
13.
recognize the warning signs for suspected cases of abuse/neglect;
14.
list the requirements for reporting suspected cases of abuse/neglect.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Principles of ethical reasoning
Ethical theory and philosophy
Ethical principles and values
The California Dental Practice Act
Causes and prevention of malpractice
Ethics in dental practice
Resume writing
The employment interview/contract
Alternatives to traditional dental hygiene practice
Requirements of the mandated reporter
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture with audio-visual aids
Class discussion
Role-playing
Guest speaker
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
2.
Typical Assignments
a.
Development of resume and cover letter
b.
Ethical Dilemmas/Role playing
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Attendance
b.
Dental Practice Act Assignment/Quiz
c.
Final exam
Chabot College
Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 58, page 3
Fall 2003
Textbook(s)(Typical):
Dental Practice Act Dental Board of California, State of California, 1994
Ethics and Law in Dental Hygiene, Beemsterboer, WB Saunders Co., 2001
Special Student Materials:
None
Revised: 11/7/02