Chabot College
Fall 2006
Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 81A
CLINICAL PRACTICE I
Catalog Description:
81A – Clinical Practice I
4 units
Continuation of clinical experience in performing dental hygiene therapy with emphasis on the young child
and periodontal patient; patient education in prevention and control of dental disease and emergency
procedures. Prerequisite: Dental Hygiene 69B and Dental Hygiene 71B (both completed with a grade of C or
higher). Corequisite: Dental Hygiene 56A, 57, 80A and 83. 12 hours clinical.
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course the student should be able to:
1.
utilize infection control protocols for prevention of disease transmission through demonstration of
proper sterilization and disinfection methods, barrier techniques and maintenance of asepsis;
2.
collect and record data from the patient interview including medical history, case history, chief
complaint and history of chief complaint on all clinical patients;
3.
utilize the medical history and patient interview to collect and document information pertinent to the
patient's medical and dental status on all clinical patients;
4.
obtain a complete medical history and explain the rationale and implications for each portion of the
history form;
5.
describe and demonstrate the correct technique for taking vital signs (pulse, respiration, temperature,
and blood pressure) on all clinical patients;
6.
demonstrate assessment skills designed to identify dental needs in order to plan treatment with the
goal of delivering comprehensive dental hygiene care on all clinical patients;
7.
demonstrate techniques and proper procedure for performing a thorough periodontal assessment
and examination of the teeth on all clinical patients;
8.
apply principles of instrumentation for the proper use of the explorers, mouth mirror, periodontal
probe, scaling/root planing instruments and polishing instruments on all clinical patients;
9.
perform proper polishing technique with appropriate material selection and precautions for polishing
natural and restored tooth surfaces and dental appliances;
10.
demonstrate technique, procedures and precautions for applying topical fluoride;
11.
apply the principles of instrument sharpening for proper sharpening of curettes and sickle scalers;
12.
demonstrate the use of the Gracey curet and explorer on a typodont and clinic patient;
13.
record complete dental restorative charting on a student partner and on all clinical patients;
14.
list and discuss post-operative procedures and instructions for the patient;
15.
identify and describe the relationship between universal curet scaler and root morphology in
advanced instrumentation;
16.
list objectives of Gracey curettes in advanced instrumentation;
17.
identify and describe the relationship between the Gracey curet and root morphology in advanced
instrumentation;
18.
describe procedures for preventing and reporting occupational risks.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
recognize signs and symptoms of emergencies involving the child, adolescent, geriatric, and special
needs patient and follow the procedures for the dental hygiene clinic;
2.
scale and root plane teeth using a systematic order, appropriate type, sharp, and correctly-contoured
instruments with minimum time and trauma;
3.
demonstrate the use of power scaling instruments on selected patients;
4.
apply postoperative procedures and instructions for the patient;
5.
select and apply a variety of topical fluoride agents using a variety of methods;
6.
select and apply appropriate desensitizing agents on selected patients;
7.
select and apply appropriate agents for pit and fissure sealants on selected patients;
Chabot College
Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 81A, Page 2
Fall 2006
Expected Outcomes for Students (continued):
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expose, process, mount and interpret diagnostically acceptable radiographic surveys on clinic
patients;
recognize clinically and discuss the value of preventive dental caries control and the role of the
hygienist in this activity;
demonstrate clinical competency in infection control techniques/prevention of disease transmissions;
apply ethical reasoning to dental hygiene practice;
serve all clients in the community without discrimination;
provide humane and compassionate care to all patients/clients;
demonstrate honesty in relationships with patients/clients, colleagues, and other professionals;
ensure the privacy of the patient/client during treatment and confidentiality of patient/client records;
adhere to state and federal laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene;
obtain, review, and update vital signs, medical history, family history, social history, and dental history
while recognizing cultural differences in populations;
manage the patient/client chart as a legal document and maintain its accuracy;
determine medical conditions that require special precaution or consideration prior to and/or during
dental hygiene treatment;
identify the patient/client at risk for a medical emergency and manage the patient/client care to
prevent an emergency;
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;
determine priorities and establish oral health goals with the patient/client and/or guardian as an active
participant;
establish a planned sequence of educational and clinical services based on the dental hygiene
diagnosis, including etiology, prognosis, and treatment alternatives;
obtain the patient's/client's informed consent based on a thorough case presentation;
make appropriate referrals to other health care professionals;
use accepted infection control procedures;
provide an environment conducive to health by applying basic and advanced principles of dental
hygiene instrumentation without causing trauma to hard or soft tissue;
control pain and anxiety during treatment through the use of accepted clinical and behavioral
management strategies;
select and administer the appropriate antimicrobial or antibiotic agent with pre- and post-treatment
instructions;
provide adjunct dental hygiene services that can be legally performed in the State of California;
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;
evaluate clients’ needs for comprehensive dental hygiene therapy.
Course Content:
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The child dental patient, adult patient, geriatric patient, adolescent patient and patients with special
needs
Pit and fissure sealants
Topical fluorides
Scaling and root planing
The power scaling dental unit
Post-operative procedures
Desensitizing agents
Dental radiography
Treatment planning
Prevention of disease transmissions
Chabot College
Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 81A, Page 3
Fall 2006
Methods of Presentation:
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Clinical practice in the dental hygiene clinic
Directed conferences
Demonstration
Seminars
Discussions
Case presentations
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
2.
Typical Assignments
a.
Complete a dental hygiene care plan for a geriatric and an adolescent patient. Include at
least two measurable goals on each care plan
b.
Complete a Daily Goals Sheet for each clinic session. Include what your goals for the
session will be and your evaluation of whether you were able to meet those goals
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Midterm clinical examination
b.
Daily clinical evaluation
c.
Radiographic evaluations
d.
Competency based tests, including a final examination
e.
Completion of minimum requirements
f.
Attendance
Textbook(s)(Typical):
Comprehensive Review of Dental Hygiene, Darby, C.V. Mosby, 2005 or most recent edition
Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice, Darby and Walsh, Saunders, 2005 or most recent edition
Concepts, Cases, and Competencies, Daniel & Harfst, C.V. Mosby, 2005 or most recent edition
Periodontal Instrumentation, Pattison & Pattison, C.V. Mosby, 2005 or most recent edition
Davis’ Guide for Nursing, Deglin & Vallerand, FA Davis Corp, 2005 or most recent edition
Mosby’s Dental Drug Guide Reference, Gage & Pickett, C.V. Mosby, 2005 or most recent edition
Special Student Materials:
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Masks
Gloves
Eyewear
Protective clothing
Instrument kits
Power scaling unit
jg/tsp, G:\Course Outlines\2005-2006\DH 81A
Revised: 11/2/05