DENH 1045 - Preclinic/Clinic I

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: This is the first in a series of clinical courses introducing dental hygiene concepts and practice methods.  Topics include infection control, the use and care of equipment, ergonomics, and patient record management. Clinical experiences include introduction to instrumentation, patient assessment, and care planning. Students must be able to perform physical tasks to complete course requirements. Acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program is required. Students are restricted from participating in this course if they have not first successfully passed the Minnesota Human Services background study with no restrictions and obtained a medical clearance that follows program requirements.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): DENH 1040  
Recommendation: None

Major Content
1. Dental Hygiene practice related to:

1. Infection Control
2. Blood Borne Pathogen
3. Standard Hazard Communication (MSDS)

2. Care and Maintenance of equipment in the dental clinic

3. Ergonomics

4. Patient and operator positioning

5. Hand instruments including:

1. Design
2. Appropriate usage
3. Sequencing
4. Care

6. Culturally appropriate patient education and counseling

7. Documentation and management of the patient record

8. Allowable duties and expanded functions allowed under Minnesota dental assisting licensure

9. Emergency management
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate correct ergonomics.

2. demonstrate proper use and care of dental equipment and instruments.

3. demonstrate proper instrument choice and activation principles.

4. demonstrate proper infection/exposure control techniques.

5. use appropriate rationale for patient assessment methods.

6. apply culturally appropriate patient education strategies for the promotion of health and prevention of disease.

7. demonstrate safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

8. demonstrate competency in the use of dental biomaterials.

9. demonstrate proficiency in performing expanded functions as allowed under Minnesota dental assisting licensure.

10. implement emergency management strategies.
Competency 1 (1-6)
None
Competency 2 (7-10)
None

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