Program Overview

DHYG - DENTAL HYGIENE/HYGIENIST (DHYG)

The Dental Hygiene program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function as dental hygienists in a variety of settings.

Course Descriptions

• DHYG 110. Preclinical Dental Hygiene: This course covers basic scientific principles and current theory, prevention of disease transmission, ethical and professional treatment of patients, clinical learning preparation, and introduction to comprehensive patient care. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 112. Preclinical Dental Hygiene Lab: Clinical application to basic theories and procedures used in dental hygiene practice, including techniques of instrumentation used in performing diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic services. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 114. Oral Histology and Embryology: Introduction to general histology and embryology with emphasis on the microscopic structures of enamel, dentin, pulp, cementum, periodontal ligament, bone, oral mucosa, epithelial attachment, and development of orofacial structures. (2 Credits)
• DHYG 116. Head and Neck Anatomy: Comprehensive study of the anatomy of the head and neck regions, including skeletal, nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, and muscular systems. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 117. Dental Anatomy: Detailed study of nomenclature, morphologic characteristics, and physiologic relationships of human primary and permanent teeth as related to the clinical practice of dental hygiene. (2 Credits)
• DHYG 118. Dental Radiology: Study of radiation physics, hygiene, and safety theories, fundamentals of oral radiographic techniques, and interpretation of radiographs. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 120. Dental Hygiene Theory I: Continuation of the theoretical basis for dental hygiene clinical practice, emphasizing emergency care, planning dental hygiene care, health promotion, and disease prevention. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 122. Clinical Dental Hygiene I: Application of dental hygiene procedures on a variety of clinical patients under direct supervision of faculty. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 124. General and Oral Pathology: Introduction to general pathology with a focused study of diseases and disorders of the oral cavity and their interrelationship with body systems. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 126. Periodontology: Study of normal and diseased periodontium, including structural, functional, and environmental factors, with emphasis on etiology, pathology, evaluation of disease, treatment modalities, and therapeutic and preventative periodontics. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 132. Clinical Dental Hygiene II: Continuation of clinical skills, patient assessment, and diagnosis, treatment and appointment planning, preventive techniques, and application of dental hygiene procedures at an intermediate level. (2 Credits)
  • Prerequisite(s): "C" or above in DHYG 120, DHYG 122, DHYG 124, DHYG 126, DHYG 134.
  • Corequisite(s): DHYG 218.
• DHYG 134. Dental Materials: Study of the composition, chemical and physical properties, manipulations, and uses of dental materials, with emphasis on materials and procedures for which the dental hygienist is directly responsible. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 210. Dental Hygiene Theory III: Advanced theory of dental hygiene, including information on periodontal therapies relative to the hygienist's role as a co-therapist in clinical practice. (2 Credits)
• DHYG 212. Clinical Dental Hygiene III: Continuation of clinical skills, patient assessment, and diagnosis, treatment and appointment planning, preventive techniques, and applications of dental hygiene procedures at the intermediate to competent level. (4 Credits)
• DHYG 214. Dental Pharmacology: Study of the pharmacologic aspects of drugs and drug groups with which the dentist and dental hygienist are directly and indirectly concerned. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 215. Medical and Dental Emergencies: Overview of medical and dental emergencies encountered most frequently in the dental setting, including knowledge and techniques on how to address those emergencies. (2 Credits)
• DHYG 217. Research Methodology: Introduction to the principles and application of research methods in social, behavioral, and medical research. (2 Credits)
• DHYG 218. Pain and Anxiety Management: Study of the application of various physical, chemical, and psychological modalities to the prevention and treatment of preoperative and postoperative patient anxiety and pain. (2 Credits)
• DHYG 219. Pain and Anxiety Management Clinical: Clinical application of concepts learned in DHYG 218, emphasizing the administration and techniques of local anesthesia and monitoring nitrous oxide. (1 Credit)
  • Prerequisite(s): DHYG 218.
• DHYG 220. Dental Hygiene Theory IV: Theoretical preparation for advanced clinical practice, including an in-depth study of dental hygiene care for patients with special needs. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 222. Clinical Dental Hygiene IV: Clinical sessions combining basic and advanced dental hygiene skills with time management techniques essential for private practice. (4 Credits)
• DHYG 224. Principles of Practice: Examination of the dental hygienist's role in both traditional and non-traditional employment settings, including career planning, resume preparation, and interviewing. (2 Credits)
• DHYG 225. Dental Public Health Education: Study of principles and concepts of community public health and dental health education, emphasizing dental epidemiology and statistical methods. (3 Credits)
• DHYG 255. Special Topics in Dental Hygiene: Study of special topics related to the advanced practice of dental hygiene, which may include educational methodology as well as applications in clinical practice, research, or community service. (1-6 Credits)
  • Consent of instructor required. Restricted to Community Colleges only and DHYG majors.