May 09, 2025  
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2025-2026 College Catalog

DHE 150 - Dental Hygiene II

2 Contact Hours, 2 Credits
2 lecture periods 0 lab periods


Continuation of DHE 101 /DHE 101LC  Application of dental hygiene skills with a variety of clinical patients with simple dental hygiene care plans. Includes instrument review, evidence-based decision making and treatment planning, medical emergency management review, special needs patients, powered instruments, air powder polishing and stain removal, care of dental prostheses, advanced instrumentation and alternate fulcrums, tobacco cessation, subgingival irrigation, and antimicrobials. Also includes dental implant instruments, case studies, poster presentations, and laboratory procedures.

Information: Students must be admitted to the PCC Dental Hygiene program and obtain consent of the Dental Hygiene department before enrolling in this course.
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify appropriate hand and powered instruments and instrumentation for patients with varying dental needs including those with dental implants.
  2. Assess individualized patient needs for preventive, educational and therapeutic dental hygiene clinical services by using evidence-based treatment approaches that support the standard of care.
  3. Present an evidence-based patient case study and research presentation that reflect best practices.
Performance Objectives:
  1. Identify the use of Mini Gracey Curettes, modified sickle scalers, and additional universal curettes effectively for varied clinical scenarios and patient needs.
  2. Evaluate clinical evidence to develop individualized treatment plans, considering patient-specific factors and oral health goals.
  3. Explain the use of ultrasonic, piezo, sonic, and air powder polishing tools, ensuring safe and effective outcomes for subgingival and supragingival care.
  4. Describe the correct cleaning and maintenance techniques for dental prostheses and apply to patient education for optimal oral health.
  5. Practice using motivational interviewing strategies for tobacco cessation to encourage positive health changes.
  6. Discuss subgingival irrigation and appropriate antimicrobial agents to support patient oral health outcomes.
  7. Identify implant types and how to evaluate implant health and perform clinical instrumentation on implants.
  8. Provide patients with home-care guidance to support long-term implant success.
  9. Identify new dental technologies in clinical practice.
  10. Create and present comprehensive case studies that demonstrate clinical findings, treatment approaches, and patient outcomes.
  11. Create a presentation based on evidence-based research related to dental hygiene topics.
Outline:
  1. Instrument/Instrumentation Review
    1. Supplemental instruments
      1. Mini Gracey Curettes
      2. Modified Sickle Scalers
      3. Additional Universal Curettes
  2. Evidence Based Decision Making and Treatment Planning
  3. Introduction to Special Needs Patient care
  4. Powered Instruments
    1. Ultrasonic
    2. Piezo
    3. Sonic
  5. Air Powder Polishing and Stain Removal
  6. Care of Dental Prosthesis
  7. Alternate Fulcrums
  8. Implementing Tobacco Cessation with Motivational Interviewing strategies
  9. Subgingival Irrigation
    1. Antimicrobials
  10. Dental implants
    1. Types of Implants
    2. Assessment of health for implants
    3. Clinical instrumentation on implants
    4. Home care for implants
  11. Technologies
    1. Velscope
    2. Introduction to Dental Lasers
    3. HVE Suction alternatives
    4. Hygiene care assistive devices
    5. Diagnodent
  12. Case Studies
    1. Development 
    2. Presentation
  13. Evidence-based research
    1. Development of presentation
  14. Review of medical emergency management