Dental Hygiene Diploma

School Cambrian College
Method At the institution
Location Greater Sudbury
Type Diploma
Course fee By request

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Dental Hygiene Diploma

Objectives The Dental Hygienist, as an oral health care provider, performs a variety of roles working in clinical practice environments, education, health promotion and research. The Dental Hygienist works collaboratively with other health professionals to deliver optimum oral health services that are based on scientific knowledge and a client-centred model of care.
Practical experience Initially students will learn clinical/laboratory skills on mannequins. As competency is demonstrated, students will be assigned practice sessions where they can perform these learned skills on each other. Students must be prepared to be a patient in these practice sessions. They will then proceed to treatment of patients from the public at the College's on-site dental clinic as well as rotation experiences in community health settings. Students must be prepared to cover the costs incurred as part of their placement experiences. Clinics and some classroom experiences may also include evening scheduling.
Academic title Dental Assisting (Levels I & II) Certificate
Course description Semester 1
# DEN1100   -   002   -   Health Promotion in Dental Hygiene

This course will introduce the student to the role of the dental hygienist in oral disease prevention and health promotion through the study of nutrition in the etiology and management of general and oral health, carries risk assessment and management, and the adverse systemic and oral health effects of tobacco use. Counselling techniques for tobacco cessation and nutrition within the scope of dental hygiene practice will be emphasized.

# DEN1155   -   002   -   Dental Radiography I

This course provides learners with the theory of dental radiography, basic principles of radiation protection and the safe use of the x-ray unit. Radiographic errors will be identified. To meet HARP requirements for certification, students must complete the radiography laboratory component of Radiography II in Semester II.

# DEN1170   -   003   -   Anatomy & Physiology

This course will introduce the learner to the human body. The structure and function of all systems will be studied. The normal cellular composition and function of the four basic tissues will be emphasized using the oral cavity as the main example area.

# DEN1205   -   006   -   Dental Hygiene Therapy I

This course is designed to introduce the learner to the basic dental hygiene skills and the dental equipment used in the practice of dental hygiene.

# DEN1213   -   003   -   Principles of Dental Hygiene I

This course will introduce the learner to the profession of dental hygiene. The dental hygiene process of care, legal and ethical issues of record keeping, privacy legislation and the dental hygienist's role in risk management will be emphasized.

# DEN1217   -   005   -   Clinical Practice I

This course comprises both theory and a clinical/laboratory component and provides the learner with instruction as to the nature of various materials used in dentistry as well as the proper method to handle materials in the clinical setting. The physical characteristics, use and manipulation of materials will be taught to enable the learner to select appropriate dental hygiene and assisting interventions for the development of the dental care plan.

# DEN1226   -   003   -   Microbiology

This course is divided into two sections. Unit A - Microbiology, will introduce the learner to microorganisms and the role they play in the progression and initiation of disease. Emphasis will be placed on important microbes that are particularly relevant to dentistry. Infectious disease related to the body systems and how they affect the development and implementation of the dental hygiene care plan will be investigated. The use of universal precautions to prevent disease transmission will be emphasized. Unit B - Dental Embryology and Histology This part of the course involves a study of the prenatal development of the face and oral cavity and the histological composition of oral and dental tissues. Clinical considerations associated with developmental disturbances of orofacial structures will be discussed.

# DEN1235   -   002   -   Oral And Dental Anatomy

This course will introduce the learner to dental and oral anatomy. It will assist the learner to integrate the knowledge of surface anatomy of the face, neck and intra oral regions and tooth anatomy into the clinical practice of client examination and dental hygiene treatment of clients.

# ENG1551   -   001   -   Writing Fundamentals: Ind. Study

This course is required in the first semester of most post-secondary programs at Cambrian. The purpose of the course is to allow students to develop their independent learning skills and to review the fundamental conventions of Standard English.

# ENG1900   -   002   -   Writing Skills for Human Services

English 1900 focuses on the development and practice of effective research and writing skills for post secondary and professional, academic purposes in the human services field.

Semester 2
# DEN1223   -   002   -   Dental Office Management

This course is designed to familiarize the learner with the procedures usually performed by the dental office manager/receptionist. Areas of study include telephone techniques, scheduling clients, letter writing, insurance forms, mail handling, stock control, the electronic office, and accounting procedures.

# DEN1240   -   003   -   Orientation to Dental Hygiene Prac

This course will prepare the learner with knowledge of basic issues and methods in dental research. The learner will evaluate scientific research for incorporation into evidence-based dental hygiene practice. Focus will be on the use of the evidence-based process to enable the learner to provide preventive, educational, and therapeutic services that support total oral health.

# DEN1290   -   001   -   Technology in Dental Office Mgmt.

This course will introduce the learner to the application of computer technology within the dental practice, specifically, in the area of appointment scheduling, health information records and business management. Learners will also have the opportunity to use this technology during clinical rotations into the Cambrian College Dental Clinic.

# DEN2202   -   007   -   Dental Hygiene Therapy II

This course is designed to introduce the learner to the clinical procedures associated with the practice of dental hygiene. The material is presented to the learner through lectures, demonstrations and independent study. This course provides the learner with the clinical experience to develop the necessary skills to practice dental hygiene.

# DEN2205   -   003   -   Principles Of Dental Hygiene II

This course is divided into 3 sections: Unit A: The Process of Care The student will utilize case studies to develop dental hygiene care plans that reflect the process of care framework. Unit B: Counselling In this section of the course, the student will be taught couselling techniques for nutrition and tobacco cessation for the promotion of oral health and general wellness. Unit C: Ethics The student will study ethics for the profession of dental hygiene and the various methods to address ethical dilemmas.

# DEN2215   -   002   -   Preventive Dental Hygiene

This course will prepare the student for the application of techniques and various preventive modalities for the promotion of oral health and general wellness as well as the prevention of oral disease.

# DEN2226   -   002   -   Applied Head And Neck Anatomy

In this course, the student will study the anatomical and physiological aspects of the head and neck including osseous landmarks, musculature, vascular supply and innervation. The principles of topical and local anaesthesia including injection sites and application techniques will also be studied.

# DEN2235   -   003   -   Radiography II

During this practical course, the learner will position, expose, and develop diagnostic radiographs using proper radiation methods as outlined in Safety Code 30. This course will also provide the learner with supplementary information on the effective use of radiographs including radiographic interpretation of normal anatomical landmarks and materials as well as alternate radiographic techniques.

# DEN2245   -   003   -   Principles of Periodontics

This course is divided into 3 sections. Section 1: Learners will understand the process of the inflammatory process and wound healing. Section 2: Learners will understand periodontal diseases, which involve the supporting structures of the teeth, the inflammatory role of bacteria, dental biofilm and calculus in the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases, the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, classification and treatment of periodontal disease. The role of the dental hygienist in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation phases of care in the management of periodontal diseases will be discussed.

# DEN2250   -   003   -   General Pathology

The practice of Dental Hygiene, as related to the knowledge of the general pathological/medical conditions, will be discussed with emphasis on the signs and symptoms, both oral and general. Medical and dental management including modifications to the process of care and management of emergency situations of the selected conditions will also be studied.
Semester 3

# DEN2307   -   010   -   Dental Hygiene Therapy III

This clinical course will focus on the development and implementation of Dental Hygiene care plans. This course provides the learner with the experience to perform a variety of roles including clinical, educational, health promotion, and research while working collaboratively with other health professionals.

# DEN2315   -   003   -   Principles of Dental Hygiene III

This course is divided into two sections: Unit A: Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy This section of the course focuses on the study of the non-surgical management of periodontal disease based on the dental hygiene process of care: assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. During this process the learner will apply knowledge, critical thinking and decision making skills to the care of the periodontally involved client. Unit B: Radiographic Intepretation In this section of the course, the learner will study the use of radiographs in dental hygiene care. Recognition of normal and pathological structures as seen on radiographs is included with emphasis on the process of correlating radiographic and clinical findings.

# DEN2330   -   002   -   Pharmacology for Dental Hygienists

This course will provide the initial basic learning of pharmacology to enable the learner to gain an understanding of drug classification, administration, the action of drugs in the body, and adverse reactions these drugs can cause. The role of the Dental Hygienist in communicating effectively with the client and other health care professionals regarding medication the client may be taking or may need to have prescribed for dental treatment will be emphasized. This course is delivered through independent study with faculty guidance uitlizing WebCT.

# DEN2337   -   002   -   Pediatrics/Geriatrics for Dental Hy

In this course, the learner will study the role and responsibility of the Dental Hygienist in the development and implementation of the care plans for the child and/or geriatric client. This course is divided into two sections: Unit A: The Child Client The learner will be introduced to the role of the Dental Hygienist in the care of the child client. The primary focus will be in the emotional, physical, and dental development of the child and his/her introduction to the dental environment and the various behaviours modification techniques for the child client. Unit B: The Geriatric Client Geriatrics will teach the learner the related implications to the process of dental hygiene care for the geriatric client.

# DEN2340   -   003   -   Oral Pathology

The role of the Dental Hygienist in the significance of oral pathological conditions will be emphasized in this course. The process of identifying, describing and documenting pathological findings within the oral cavity will be studied.

# DEN2410   -   003   -   Community Health I

This course is designed to introduce the learner to the role of a dental hygienist in the field of community health. The student will apply and incorporate the concepts discussed in class to community settings.

# PSY1105   -   003   -   Communication for Dental Profession

The focus of this course is to help students become more effective communicators. Through the application of communication theory, students will acquire the requisite skills for effective interaction with clients, colleagues, and others. Topics include: communication theory, self-awareness, perception, listening, non-verbal behaviour conflict management, team building, leadership training, managing pain and anxiety, and cross-cultural practice for the dental professional.

Semester 4
# DEN2320   -   003   -   The Person With An Exceptionality

In the context of the College's General Education program, this course introduces the learner to the psychological principles necessary to work effectively with clients of different age groups who have intellectual, communicative behavioral, physical or multiple exceptionalities. This will enable the learner to apply this understanding of the individual with exceptionalities to a Dental Hygienists' working relationships and personal life.

# DEN2407   -   013   -   Dental Hygiene Therapy IV

This course is designed to implement the Dental Hygiene process of care when treating clients. Through practical experience the learner will be exposed to more complex cases and a broader range of treatment modalities.

# DEN2425   -   002   -   Professional Growth

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with an opportunity to further explore the profession of dental hygiene in preparation for the workplace. The learner will critically examine the role of the dental hygienist as an oral healthcare professional who integrates the role of clinician, educator, consumer advocate, manager, and researcher in preventing oral disease and promoting health. This course is divided into 4 units: Unit A: Quality Assurance Unit B: Practice Management Unit C: Promotion of the Profession Unit D: Life long learning Unit E: Case Study Presentation.

# DEN2435   -   003   -   Orthodontics Theory & Practice

This course will introduce the learner to the basic principles of Orthodontics. The role of the dental hygienist in the Orthodontic practice environment will be discussed with emphasis on developing dental hygiene care plans for clients with orthodontics and the associated regulatory responsibilities. The material is presented to the student through lectures, demonstrations, manikin and partner work that emphasizes the application of orthodontic theoretical and analytical concepts.

# GER1200   -   003   -   Introduction To Gerontology

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of aging. Students will be examining many of the myths of aging and will have the opportunity to explore and clarify some of the feelings relating to their own aging as well as their own attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding dependent and independent aging adults.

# DEN2430   -   002   -   Community Health II: Indep. Study

This course will provide the learner with an opportunity to synthesize and apply their knowledge of community health to implement oral health promotion programs in a variety of community settings. Activities will include placement in long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, and participation in oral health month, wellness fairs, and Dental Hygiene promotion. This course is delivered through independent study with faculty guidance utilizing WebCT.