DHYG 411 / DHYG 421 Advanced Clinical Practice I / II
Clinical experiences in principles and delivery of dental hygiene services are provided in general practice clinics. Students treat patients who exhibit a range of health and disease form. Care is delivered to maintenance patients and those exhibiting advanced periodontal disease. Students have the opportunity to work with dental students and participate in alternative practice settings through block assignments and in dental specialty clinics within the School.
DHYG 323 Care and Management of the Special Patient
Through classroom discussion, reading assignments and independent study, dental hygiene students develop an understanding of the care and management of special patients for whom routine care may be challenging due to age or complex health factors.
DHYG 322 Community Oral Health
Methods of determining community oral health status, identifying barriers to optimum health, and selecting appropriate interventions are presented concurrently with community program planning activities. Throughout the course, the role of the dental hygienist in community oral health is emphasized.
DHYG 413 / DHYG 423 Community Service I / II
The externship program provides opportunities for senior students to select experiences beyond those given within the Dental School setting. The selection of a community site is based on the student's interests and career goals. Sites include well-baby clinics, prenatal clinics, community health centers, nursing homes, senior citizen centers, facilities for the handicapped, hospitals, military clinics and schools, day care centers, public health departments and research centers. (DHYG 423 is optional.)
DHYG 414 Educational Program Development
Students in this course have the opportunity to explore various ways in which effective instructional skills may contribute to a career in dental hygiene. Learning experiences are designed to enable the student to develop these skills and to apply them in such areas as public school systems, community health programs, higher education and consumer education.
DPHR 325 General Pharmacology and Oral Therapeutics
The study of drugs and their use in the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of disease; the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and mechanism of action of drugs; and drug interactions, rationale for use, indications and contraindications are presented. Emphasis is placed on the relevance of this information to providing patient care.
DHYG 427 Health Care Management
Students are introduced to skills essential for effective management in their personal and professional roles. Areas of emphasis include the dental team environment, managerial planning and decision-making, fiscal issues, career planning, resumes and interviewing. Management principles are applied to a variety of oral health care delivery settings.
DHYG 416 Introduction to Oral Health Research
This course is designed to acquaint students with research methodology and its application to the dental hygiene profession. Emphasis is placed upon heightening student awareness of the need for dental hygiene research, developing student capabilities to identify research problems, encouraging evidence-based decision-making, and enabling accurate appraisal of research reports.
DHYG 425 Issues in Health Care Delivery
Students examine and analyze the issues that affect the broad spectrum of health care delivery. Topics include ethics and professional responsibility, access to care, cultural competence and health care legislation. Students have the option to create and present research posters on timely oral health topics.
DHYG 324 Methods and Materials in Dentistry
Students are introduced to the science of dental materials, including the composition and utilization of dental materials as they apply to clinical dental hygiene procedures, dental assisting and patient education. This course includes both a laboratory and on-line didactic component.
DHYG 312 M, H, A Microbiology, Histology and Anatomy
The study of microbiology, embryology, histology, physiology and anatomy with emphasis on the head, neck and oral cavity are presented in these courses. The anatomy course will emphasize the morphologic characteristics and physiologic relationships of teeth and supporting structures.
DHYG 328 Oral Pathology for the Dental Hygienist
This course provides an overview of the principles of general pathology and systemic disease. Following this introduction, an intensive study of oral pathology ensues. The primary emphasis is on clinical presentation and the diagnostic process.
DHYG 316 / DHYG 326 Oral Radiology I / Oral Radiology II
By means of lecture, laboratory and clinical activities, the students are introduced to the science of digital radiography the production and effects of X-rays; and the various techniques of oral roentgenography. Students gain experience in placing, exposing, and , assessing the diagnostic quality of and interpreting radiographs. Students learn to access and display digital images. The rationale and practices to ensure radiation safety and infection control are stressed throughout the course.
DHYG 314 Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist I
The study of the etiology, diagnosis and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, as well as the anatomy and morphology of the tooth root and surrounding supportive structures are presented in this course. The role of the dental hygienist in providing periodontal therapies is emphasized.
DHYG 327 Periodontics for the Dental Hygienists II
The study of the diseases of the periodontium focusing on the management, therapeutics and prevention of periodontal diseases is presented through on-line presentations and classroom discussion.
DHYG 412 Perspectives of Dental Hygiene Practice
Students have the opportunity to explore advanced principles and skills of dental hygiene practice. The primary focus of the course is divided into three major units: pain control, advanced periodontics, including implants, oral/systemic link and oral-facial pain. Also included in the course is an introduction to intra-oral photography and case documentation. The emphasis of this course is to broaden the student's perspective of dental hygiene practice as it exists across the country.
DHYG 418 / DHYG 428 / DHYG 424 Practicum / Practicum / Special Topics
Students are provided an opportunity to pursue in-depth topics of special interest. The program of study is designed by each student and approved by faculty prior to the beginning of the course. The study program may relate to an area of interest in clinical dental hygiene, education, management or research and may consist of special reading assignments, reports, conferences, and possibly clinic, laboratory or extramural experience. (Optional)
DHYG 311 Prevention & Control of Oral Disease I
This introductory course provides the basic foundation for clinical dental hygiene practice with an emphasis on the holistic provision of care, instrumentation techniques and infection control. Simulation and clinical experiences provide the opportunity for practical application of the principles and procedures for the identification, prevention and control of oral diseases. The elements of human behavior, principles of learning, methods of teaching and principles of communication related to providing oral health care to individuals and groups are highlighted.
DHYG 321 Prevention and Control of Oral Diseases II
The study and application of principles and procedures for the prevention of oral diseases, including oral health education, oral hygiene measures, risk assessment, dietary control of dental disease, use of fluorides, sealants and the oral prophylaxis are presented in lecture, discussion and clinical sessions.
DHYG 410 / 420 Seminar in Dental Hygiene (Degree Completion Only)
Reinforcement, updating and expansion of dental hygiene professional skills, knowledge and attitudes. Topic areas which are explored through seminar, laboratory and extramural formats include dental public health, preventive dentistry, process of dental hygiene care and options for dental hygiene practice. Emphasis is placed on developing oral and written communication skills necessary for the dental hygienist in a variety of health care, educational, research or community settings. | 
