Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prepare students through appropriate academic and clinical education to be qualified dental professionals utilizing a competency-based curriculum [PDF].

Dental hygienists must be able to systematically collect, analyze and accurately record baseline data on the general, oral and psychosocial health status using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.

1. Obtain, review and update a complete medical, family psychosocial and dental history, including assessment of vital signs, and record findings.
2. Recognize the patient record as a legal document and maintain its accuracy and consistency.
3. Recognize medical conditions and medications that require special precautions or consideration prior to or during dental hygiene treatment and consult with health care providers as needed.
4. Identify the patient at risk for medical emergency and be prepared to handle emergency should it occur during an appointment.
5. Perform an extraoral and intraoral screening and record findings.
6. Perform an assessment of the teeth and accurately record the results.
7. Identify need for and obtain radiographs of diagnostic quality.
8. Radiographically distinguish normal from abnormal anatomical findings.
9. Evaluate the periodontium and identify conditions that compromise periodontal health and function.
10. Identify conditions and diseases that affect dietary intake and food selection and recognize risks and benefits of alternative food patterns.
11. Analyze and interpret the data related to and congruent with the diagnosis of the dentist and other health professionals.
12. Utilize, interpret and analyze appropriate indices for patient assessment.
13. Assess and analyze patient risk factors that may impact dental hygiene care.

1. Dental hygienists must be able to provide treatment strategies to facilitate optimal oral health.
2. Develop a dental hygiene diagnosis using all dental hygiene assessments.
3. Utilize reflective judgment to develop a patient-centered dental hygiene care plan based upon the patient's diagnosis, in collaboration with the patient and other health providers as indicated, and present dental hygiene care plan to the patient.
4. Recognize the importance of informed consent and obtain it from the patient prior to treatment.

Dental hygienists must be able to provide treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic procedures to promote and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals.

1. Apply basic and advanced principle of hand and powered dental hygiene instrumentation to remove deposits without trauma to hard and/or soft tissue. Compare/contrast use of hand, sonic and ultrasonic instruments.
   • Identify indications and contraindications for ultrasonic use.
   • Identify appropriate instrument and/or insert for task.
   • Demonstrate finger rests and fulcrums for use of hand instruments.
   • Demonstrate placement, adaptation, angulation and working strokes with hand instruments.
   • Appropriately utilize curettes, scalers and other suitable hand instruments.
   • Utilize standard ultrasonic inserts for removal of heavy calculus.
   • Utilize modified ultrasonic inserts for subgingival debridement and root planning.
2. Evaluate and utilize methods to ensure the health and safety of the patient and the dental hygienists in the delivery of dental hygiene care.
3. Control pain and anxiety during treatment through the use of accepted clinical techniques and appropriate behavioral management strategies, including, but not limited to:
   • Administration of local anesthesia
   • Administration of analgesia (nitrous oxide)
   • Application of topical anesthesia
4. Select and administer the appropriate chemotherapeutic agent and provide pre- and post-treatment instructions including:
   • Subgingival irrigation technique
   • Use of site specific delivery vehicle systems
   • Professional and home fluoride therapy
5. Provide adjunct dental hygiene services that can be legally performed, including, but not limited to:
   • Application of pit and fissure sealants
   • Cleaning of removable prostheses and inspection
   • Placement of temporary restorations
   • Placing and removing rubber dams
   • Care and maintenance of restorations
   • Selective coronal polishing
   • Preparing, placing and removing periodontal packs
   • Removing sutures
   • Taking impressions and wax bite
6. Evaluate factors when selecting strategies that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention or health maintenance.
7. Provide nutritional counseling related to oral conditions and/or disease.
8. Implement and evaluate measures to minimize occupational hazards in the work place, including postural and engineering factors such as equipment and instrument design.
9. Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, serving all persons without discrimination by acknowledging and appreciating diversity.

Dental hygienists must be able to evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify as necessary.

1. Determine outcomes of dental hygiene interventions (re-evaluation) using indices, instruments, exam techniques and patient self-report.
2. Evaluate the patient's satisfaction with oral health status achieved.
3. Develop and maintain a continuing care program and reevaluate goals, diagnoses and services when expected outcomes are not achieved.
4. Evaluate patient's dental needs, and provide dental and/or other health care referrals to patients when indicated.

Provide comprehensive dental hygiene treatment and referrals to those individuals served by the University through a complete, sequential, and fully monitored system of oral health care delivery.

Entry-level dental hygienists must be able to discern and manage ethical issues of dental hygiene practice in a rapidly changing environment.

1. Apply state and federal laws, recommendations and regulations in the provision of oral health care.
2. Apply the provisions of the American Dental Hygienists Association's Code of Ethics in a dental hygiene practice.
3. Apply the principles of ethical behavior in decision-making, in interactions with patients and staff, and in personal conduct.
4. Apply quality assurance mechanisms to ensure continuous commitment to accepted standards of care.
5. Develop practice management and marketing strategies to be used in the delivery of oral health care.
6. Ensure the privacy of the patient during dental hygiene treatment and counseling and the confidentiality of patient records.

Dental hygienists must be able to provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote optimal health.

1. Identify the health needs of individuals and assist them in the development of appropriate and individualized self-care regimens.
2. Respect the goals, values, beliefs, and preferences of the patient while promoting optimal oral and general health.
3. Evaluate factors that promote patient adherence to disease prevention and encourage patients to assume responsibility for health and wellness.

Entry-level dental hygienists must be able to initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities for diverse populations.

1. Promote the values of oral and general health and wellness to the public and organizations within and outside the profession.
2. Identify services that promote oral health and prevent oral disease and related conditions.
3. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate community-based oral health programs and plan for future initiatives.
4. Be able to influence consumer groups, businesses and government agencies to support health care issues.
5. Use screening, referral, and education to bring consumers into the health care delivery system.
6. Provide dental hygiene services in a variety of settings including offices, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, community programs and schools.
7. Evaluate reimbursement mechanisms and their impact on the patient's access to oral health care.
8. Advocate for effective oral heath for underserved populations.

Create a positive and rewarding academic environment through the provision of scholarly programs that facilitate continued growth and enrichment of all students and faculty.

Entry-level dental hygienists must be able to acquire and synthesize information in a critical, scientific and effective manner.

1. Recognize and use written and electronic sources of information.
2. Evaluate the credibility and potential hazards of dental products and techniques.
3. Evaluate published clinical and basic science research and integrate this information to improve the oral health of the patient.
4. Recognize the responsibility and demonstrate the ability to communicate professional knowledge verbally and in writing.
5. Accept responsibility for solving problems and making decisions based on accepted scientific principles.

Foster opportunities by utilizing resources, both locally and nationally, for faculty and student involvement in activities that are consistent with professional development and promote dental health as an integral component of community health.

Entry-level dental hygienists must be concerned with improving the knowledge, skill, and values of the profession.

1. Pursue career opportunities within health care, industry, education, research, and other roles as they evolve for the dental hygienist.
2. Expand and contribute to knowledge base of dental hygiene.
3. Promote the values of the profession to public and other organizations outside of the dental profession.
4. Access professional and social networks to pursue professional goals.
5. Continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth.

Recruit and retain the highest quality of faculty and students.