Dental Hygiene
Bachelor's Degree Program - Minneapolis, MN

This course introduces the foundations of the language of medicine and dentistry. Students will develop medical and dental vocabulary through the study of the structures, functions, diagnostic procedures, pathology, and treatment procedures of the body systems. The course explains the composition of medical and dental terms by exploring prefix, root combination, and suffix divisions along with word composition. Common medical and dental procedures and practices are discussed along with disease processes.

This course provides a study of the most common medical emergencies in the dental setting and appropriate treatment measures. It includes identifying and managing medically compromised dental patients in the dental clinic.

This course provides information on the nomenclature, morphology, anatomy, physiology, histology and embryological development of the head and neck and oral cavity. Topics include the primary and permanent dentition, including crown and root formation. Components of the tooth structure, characteristics of the supporting tissues, eruption, and exfoliation patterns, and related dental terminology will also be discussed. Additional topics include periodontal ligaments, oral mucosa and salivary glands, and developmental tooth anomalies.  Students will be introduced to the anatomical structures involved with the head and neck. Bones of the face and skull, muscles of the oral cavity and surrounding tissues, and nerve and blood supply avenues will be covered. Students will become familiar with anatomical landmarks related to dentistry. Human development of the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, and nervous systems will be stressed, with an emphasis on their relation to the oral cavity.

This course prepares the student with the introductory knowledge and skills to properly and safely handle material and equipment in the dental clinic. It will prepare the students to provide clinical dental hygiene services. Students will also be learning the techniques for sterilization, infection control protocols, managing medical emergencies, and taking and recording medical histories, including vital signs. Students will be introduced to the instruments utilized by the dental hygienist and will also perform basic dental hygiene procedures. Topics include oral prophylaxis, including scaling and root planning, instrumentation techniques, and oral health instruction and education.

This course prepares the student with the introductory knowledge and skills to properly and safely handle material and equipment in the dental clinic. This laboratory course will prepare the students to provide clinical dental hygiene services. Students will learn the techniques for sterilization, infection-control protocols, managing medical emergencies, and taking and recording medical histories, including vital signs. Students will be introduced to the instruments utilized by the dental hygienist and will also perform basic dental hygiene procedures. Topics include oral prophylaxis, including scaling and root planning, instrumentation techniques, and oral health instruction and education. In addition to laboratory skills performed on manikins, students will participate in dental hygiene observation sessions and begin treatment on classmates.

In this course, the student will be introduced to the responsibilities of office management and administration. Specific topics include scheduling and appointment control, records management, recall systems, financial transactions, communication techniques, inventory control and cost analysis, HIPAA, and application of dental practice management software and systems. Students will also explore technology used in the dental clinic and its impact on dental management.

This course is designed to provide information on developmental disturbances, disease and their microbiological origin and/or manifestations associated with various diseases and disorders. Topics include cause of disease, process of inflammation and repair, autoimmune diseases, characteristics of neoplasms, nature of diseases and anomalies of the teeth, oral cavity, and supporting tissues. Common pathology, such as dental caries, neoplasia, oral lesions, benign and malignant conditions, oral cancer, temporomandibular disorders and various cysts and tumors, will be identified and discussed. Emphasis will be placed on clinical recognition of pathological conditions as well as contributing factors.

This course contains didactic instruction that correlates to subjects and procedures in the pre-clinical lab course. Students will receive in-depth information pertaining to introductory dental hygiene techniques and clinical practice. Emphasis is on current theories and scientific principles, prevention of disease transmission, professional and ethical treatment of patients, clinical preparation, and comprehensive patient care. Topics include infection control protocols and recording patient medical/dental histories. Students will gain the knowledge necessary to provide dental hygiene assessments, perform a dental hygiene diagnosis, and prepare a care plan. Students will understand the implementation and evaluation phases of assessment. Topics covered will be studied in detail. Students will study and practice effective communication techniques.

This course includes the history of dental radiography, image and x-ray production, radiation safety, patient protection, and quality assurance. Proper processing techniques and the importance of high-quality dental radiographs will be stressed. Students will be familiar with both the paralleling and bisecting techniques used to expose dental radiographs. Intraoral and extra-oral techniques will be discussed.

This course introduces the student to current issues related to community dental health. Community dental health practices will be compared to clinical private dental facilities. Epidemiological methods, analysis of research findings, problem and study selection and evaluation, as well as research, planning, and design for community-based dental programs, will be discussed. Students will gain an understanding of the role of community dental health opportunities as they relate to the entire community. The effectiveness and accessibility of community dental healthcare will be evaluated.  Students will complete 22.5 hours of observation and/or presentations to diverse patient populations. 

This course introduces the student to a variety of drug categories, with emphasis placed on commonly prescribed medications and drugs utilized in the dental office. The physical and chemical characteristics of drugs, routes of administration, therapeutic and side effects, precautions, drug interactions, and contraindications to dental treatment will be covered.

This course covers the concepts of radiographic interpretation, as required for the dental hygienist. The importance of high-quality dental radiographs will be stressed. Students will be able to identify normal and abnormal anatomy and conditions. Radiographic appearance of caries, periodontal disease, periapical lesions, restorative materials, and the interpretation of the classification of periodontal disease will be covered as well as the differences of radiopaque and radiolucent structures.

This course includes learning the techniques for exposing high-quality radiographic images. The importance of diagnostic dental radiographs will be stressed. Students will become familiar with both the paralleling and bisecting techniques used to expose dental radiographs. Students will expose radiographs on both the Dexters (manikins) and patients. Intraoral techniques are utilized, and extra-oral techniques will be demonstrated. Students will expose, mount, and evaluate full-mouth radiographs, including bitewings.

Students will provide direct patient care in a supervised clinical setting in this course. The clinical experiences will include patient assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, oral prophylaxis, periodontal therapy, oral health education, and radiographs. Students will provide dental hygiene care to level I and II patients including individuals of all ages and medically compromised patients. Emphasis will be placed on the students' ability to demonstrate comprehensive treatment planning. Students will be required to use the SOAP method of documentation.

This course is designed as an introduction to the role of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) and research. The two goals of this course are: 1) to develop skills in the scientific methods of research in an effort to develop evidence-based decision making for optimal patient care; and 2) to develop skills needed to critically assess current and relevant scientific literature in relation to research design and principles for individual patient care needs. To make this learning more meaningful, students will apply the knowledge gained to patient care.

The etiology of periodontal disease, as well as the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options, will be discussed, including clinical procedures and associated surgical interventions. The clinical, histopathological, and pathogenesis of gingivitis and periodontitis is included, and emphasis will be placed on the progression of periodontal disease and the role of the dental hygienist in the management and treatment of disease. Evaluation of periodontal treatment, the maintenance phase of periodontal treatment, and the relationship between periodontics and other disciplines in dentistry will be discussed. Roles of clinical research in the treatment of periodontal disease will also be discussed.

This course focuses on cultural diversity and how to begin the journey of becoming culturally competent in our society. It examines our own cultural beliefs, values, and practices and other cultures in the dental healthcare system. This course will teach the student how to develop cultural competence by acquiring the ability to provide care to patients with diverse backgrounds, values, beliefs, and behaviors, including tailoring delivery of care to meet patients' social, cultural, and linguistic needs. The course is also designed to understand the concept of culture and the hygienist's cultural awareness of the relationships between Westernized medicine and traditional health practices and recognition of selected cultures within the United States. Providing quality patient care through understanding cultural differences will be explored.

Leadership is an essential part of the oral health profession, and developing leadership skills is a multifaceted undertaking. This course provides the students with the opportunity to explore the leadership theories, styles, behaviors, and attitudes that enhance the delivery of patient care and professional success. Specific content includes comparing and contrasting leadership and management, personal philosophy development, dental hygiene mentorship, strategic planning, shared governance, interdisciplinary collaboration, political action, professional and team development, and healthcare trends. This course will empower the student to take charge of their career and leadership potential.

This course is designed to provide students with the scientific basis for dental hygiene care. Emphasis will be placed on the areas of oral health education, preventive care, and nutritional and tobacco cessation counseling to the management of oral health. Topics include the formulation of a dental hygiene diagnostic statement, SOAP note method of documentation, diet and the caries process, advanced non-surgical periodontal therapies including chemotherapeutic agents, advanced periodontal instrumentation techniques with hand and ultrasonic instruments. Other topics include care of hand instruments with instrument sharpening, care of dental implants, and protocol and procedural methods for the use and care of ultrasonic instruments. Students will apply the knowledge gained in this course to practical situations in the lab component as well as in the clinic.

This course is a continuation of the pre-clinical lab and aligns with DH 320. Emphasis will be placed on instrument sharpening, cleaning dental prostheses, the use and care of ultrasonic instruments, advanced fulcrum and instrumentation techniques with hand and ultrasonic instruments for scaling and root planning to access furcations and navigate root morphology, advanced probing techniques to include clinical attachment levels, application of chemotherapeutic agents, and the care of dental implants. Students will apply the knowledge gained in the corequisite course to practical situations in the lab as well as in the clinic.

The course content provides an educational background as well as the knowledge necessary to work with commonly used dental materials and equipment utilized by the dental hygienist to ensure quality patient care. Topics covered include properties and science of dental materials, infection control and safety, direct and indirect restorative materials, fixed and removable appliances, application of pit and fissure sealants, polishing amalgams, amalgam margination, application and removal of the rubber dam, gingival retraction and hemostasis, suture removal, placing temporary restorations, removal of orthodontic cement, impressions/bite registrations, pouring and trimming study models, and custom tray fabrication.

This course consists of laboratory experiences studied in DH 326 Dental Materials and provides the skills necessary for commonly used dental materials and equipment utilized by the dental hygienist to ensure quality patient care. Laboratory exercises include, but are not limited to, infection control and safety, direct and indirect restorative materials, fixed and removable appliances, application of pit and fissure sealants, polishing amalgams, amalgam margination, application and removal of the rubber dam, gingival retraction and hemostasis, suture removal, placing temporary restorations, removal of orthodontic cement, impressions/bite registrations, pouring and trimming study models, and custom tray fabrication.

This course covers the current concepts of pain management as well as dental anxiety techniques used in the dental office. Students will be prepared to safely administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation therapy for use in the practice of dental hygiene. Students will study client assessment, anatomy, physiology, emergency management procedures, pharmacology, and indications/contraindications associated with the use of local anesthesia or nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation. Emphasis will be placed on selection and administration of appropriate anesthetic agents and evaluation of proper administration techniques. Legal and ethical issues associated with pain management will also be discussed. Laboratory/clinical sessions in the corequisite course include actual experiences in the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia.

This course covers the current concepts of pain management and dental anxiety techniques used in the dental office. Students will be prepared to safely administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation therapy for use in the practice of dental hygiene. Emphasis will be placed on selection and administration of appropriate anesthetic agents and evaluation of proper administration techniques. Laboratory/clinical sessions include actual experiences in the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia, as discussed in theory in the corequisite course.

Students will provide direct patient care in a supervised clinical setting in this course. The clinical experiences will include patient assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, oral prophylaxis, non-surgical periodontal therapies, periodontal maintenance, oral health education, and radiographs. Students will provide dental hygiene care to level I, II, and III patients including individuals of all ages and medically compromised patients. Emphasis will be placed on the students' ability to demonstrate comprehensive periodontal treatment planning. Students will be required to use the SOAP method of documentation. Additional clinical experiences will include the use of ultrasonic instrumentation, amalgam polishing, and application of pit and fissure sealants.

The course presents the etiology of periodontal disease as well as the histopathological and pathogenesis of gingivitis and periodontitis. Emphasis will be placed on the progression of periodontal disease and the role of the dental hygienist in the management and treatment of disease. Roles of clinical research in the treatment of periodontal disease will also be discussed. The course will focus on periodontal case studies for assessment and diagnosis and treatment options.

This course examines current societal and professional issues and their impact on dental hygiene practice. Topics include, but are not limited to, advanced practice models to expand oral health services, counseling regarding smoking cessation, recent medical advances in the field of dentistry, and legal policy issues currently impacting dental hygiene.

This course focuses on dental hygiene care for individuals who are medically compromised with disease(s) and/or mental or physical disabilities. Students will learn diseases and how to manage the appointment and dental treatment involving the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, and neurologic systems. Students will also be introduced to autoimmune, hematologic, and oncologic diseases as well as behavioral and psychiatric disorders. Students will learn the various life stages, from infant to elderly, and the dental considerations for treatment in each stage.

This course provides the student with ethical, legal, and professional obligations required of a dental hygienist. Content includes legal terminology and laws involving patients as well as the entire dental health team, practice management, leadership skills, research, and development theories. Professional conduct, including state rules and statutes, as published by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, will be covered. Students are required to successfully complete the Minnesota Jurisprudence Exam to become licensed as a dental hygienist.

This course will provide the dental hygiene student an opportunity to review the concepts, methods, procedures, and materials studied throughout their dental hygiene education in preparation for national, regional, and state examinations. Topics include, but are not limited to, histology and embryology, anatomy and physiology, head and neck anatomy and physiology, clinical oral structures, including dental anatomy and root morphology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, general and oral pathology, microbiology and immunology, prevention of disease transmission in oral health care, pharmacology, biochemistry, nutrition and nutritional counseling, biomaterials, periodontics, the dental hygiene process of care, strategies for oral health promotion and disease prevention and control, instrumentation for patient assessment and care, management of pain and anxiety, dental hygiene care for patients with special needs including the medically compromised patient, community oral health planning and practice, medical emergencies, and ethical and legal issues. State process of licensure application will also be reviewed.

This capstone course is designed to provide students an opportunity to synthesize, analyze, and apply their knowledge and skills through the design, implementation, and completion of a senior capstone. The student will create a paper or project that reflects comprehensive knowledge and ability to reflect, connect, and then produce work based on their learning experiences throughout the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program.

In this course, students will provide direct patient care in supervised clinical settings. The clinical experiences will include patient assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, oral prophylaxis, complete periodontal therapy, oral health education, and radiographs. Students will provide dental hygiene care to patient level I, II, III, and IV. Emphasis will be placed on the students' ability to demonstrate comprehensive periodontal treatment and improved time management by completing multiple patients in one clinic session. Students will be required to use the SOAP note method of documentation.