DHE 101 - Dental Hygiene I

1. Explain the importance of confidentiality of patient records in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
2. Recognize infection control procedures consistent with the DHE program, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
3. Critically evaluate evidence-based research to make informed clinical decisions in dental hygiene practice, integrating scientific literature with patient care to improve treatment outcomes and ensure best practices.
4. Prepare for the successful performance of clinical skill demonstrations, including proper instrumentation, for assigned activities and entry level clinical skills assessment.

1. Explain “informed consent” and “standard of care” in dental hygiene and identify methods to reduce clinical risks.
2. Outline the process for maintaining patient confidentiality and critique a professional journal article.
3. Describe infection control protocols aligned with OSHA and CDC, including proper hand hygiene and PPE use.
4. Demonstrate optimal patient positioning for comfort and perform medical/dental history evaluations to identify treatment contraindications.
5. Outline AHA premedication rationale and procedures for measuring and interpreting vital signs.
6. Conduct hard and soft tissue exams, accurately document oral landmarks and abnormalities, and describe pen, modified pen, and palm-thumb grasps.
7. Explain fulcrum use, grasp techniques, and stroke types for calculus removal, including the role of cutting edge angles.
8. Describe use of the dental mirror for retraction, illumination, and transillumination.
9. Use periodontal probes and explorers with correct stroke techniques and describe the design and use of scalers and curettes for scaling and root planing.
10. Define selective polishing, apply disclosing agents, and evaluate deposits; explain the value of fluoride treatment and topical application steps.
11. Develop and document a comprehensive dental hygiene treatment plan, integrating clinical and didactic knowledge.
12. Understand patient rights, chart services accurately, and discuss evidence-based decision-making for patient care.
13. Use a mock patient case to create a complete patient care plan.

1. Professionalism/Ethics and Dental Hygiene Process of Care
   1. Apply professional code of ethics
   2. Assume responsibility for dental hygiene care based on accepted standard of care
   3. Perform self-assessment for professional growth
   4. Adhere to state and federal laws and regulations in the provision of dental hygiene care
2. Evidence based research
3. Infection Control
   1. Barrier protection
   2. Methods of sterilization
   3. Methods of disinfection
   4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) prevention guidelines
4. Body Mechanics/Ergonomics
   1. Patient positioning
   2. Operator positioning
5. Introduction to Patient Medical and Dental History Evaluation
   1. Obtain and interpret diagnostic information
   2. Predisposing etiologic risk factors
   3. Health conditions and medications that impact patient care
   4. Vital signs
6. Assessment Data
   1. Extra and intraoral examination
   2. Periodontal charting
   3. Restorative charting
   4. Hard deposits
   5. Extrinsic and intrinsic stain
7. Instrumentation
   1. Modified pen grasp, pen grasp, palm-thumb grasp
   2. Fulcrum and finger-rest
   3. Adaptation, insertion, angulation, working stroke
   4. Assessment Instruments
      1. Mouth mirror
      2. Periodontal probes
      3. Explorers
   5. Calculus/biofilm removal instruments
      1. Universal curettes
      2. Sickle scalers
      3. Gracey curettes
8. Removal of Soft Deposits
   1. Selective polish
   2. Disclosing agents/plaque indices
   3. Extrinsic stain removal
9. Fluorides
   1. Topical applications including fluoride varnish
   2. Assess value of fluoride treatment for dental hygiene care
10. Clinical Procedures
    1. Comprehensive dental hygiene care plan
    2. Dental record documentation
    3. Consultations as indicated
    4. Patient needs and significant findings for delivery of care
    5. Informed consent
    6. Patient’s rights and responsibilities
    7. Medical Emergencies
11. Respect Values and Preferences of Diverse Patient Population Groups While Promoting Oral Health