MCCCD Program Description

Dental Hygiene Theory I

Course: DHE132

First Term: 2023 Fall

Lec + Lab 3.0 Credit(s) 5.0 Period(s) 5.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: T - Lab Load

Description: Study of the dental hygiene process of care with emphasis on assessment, planning and implementation. Topics include instrumentation, adjunct dental hygiene services, instrument sharpening, computer technology, dental specialties and professional accountability.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the rationale and demonstrate the sequence for caring for removable prosthetic appliances. (I) 2. Explain the process and rationale for applying pit and fissure sealants. (II) 3. Apply pit and fissure sealants on simulation devices and live patients. (II) 4. Identify the clinical, radiographic parameters, and risk factors of periodontal disease classifications. (III) 5. Create dental hygiene care plans and appointment sequencing for healthy and Stage I-II periodontally involved patients. (III) 6. Formulate and communicate individualized oral hygiene self-care plans for healthy and Stage I-II periodontally involved patients. (IV, XI) 7. Explain the significance of root anatomy related to instrumentation techniques. (V) 8. Determine appropriate instrument selection and demonstrate techniques for healthy and Stage I-II periodontally involved patients. (V) 9. Describe proper patient selection for the use of power scalers and air polishers. (V) 10. Explain the theory and rationale of dental hygiene treatment modalities. (V) 11. Identify and demonstrate hard and soft tissue desensitization. (VI) 12. Explain and demonstrate principles of instrument sharpening. (VII) 13. Integrate and apply the use of dental support technology. (VIII) 14. Describe advanced dental specialty education programs and how each relates to dental hygiene. (IX) 15. Discuss and apply principles of professional accountability and ethical behaviors. (X)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Care of removable prosthetic appliances A. Handling B. Ultrasonic cleaning C. Manual cleaning II. Pit and fissure sealants A. Patient selection B. Types C. Armamentarium D. Techniques E. Documentation III. Periodontal disease classification A. Periodontal charting 1. Probing 2. Recession 3. Mobility 4. Furcations 5. Clinical attachment levels B. Radiographic findings C. Dental hygiene care planning D. Appointment sequencing IV. Individualized oral hygiene self-care planning A. Goal setting B. Assessment of current practices C. Oral hygiene aid selection D. Evaluation and modification V. Instrumentation A. Root anatomy B. Root instrumentation 1. Furcation probe 2. Specially designed instruments C. Power scalers 1. Sonic 2. Ultrasonic D. Air polishing E. Implant care F. Modalities 1. Periodontal debridement theory 2. Non-surgical periodontal therapy VI. Desensitization A. Tooth (hard tissue) 1. Dentinal hypersensitivity 2. Agents 3. Application B. Gingiva (soft tissue) 1. Patient selection 2. Agents 3. Application VII. Instrument sharpening A. Armamentarium B. Techniques VIII. Dental support technology A. Computers B. Dental software C. Screening devices IX. Advanced dental education programs X. Ethics and professionalism A. Definition B. Professional judgment C. Ethical conduct D. Documentation XI. Communication A. Verbal B. Non-verbal C. Written

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 25, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.