Dental Hygiene, Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) Degree

Includes process of science, overview of central ideas of biology (unity, diversity, interdependence, evolution), basic chemistry concepts, biomolecules, cell structure, cell physiology (including enzyme function, energetics, synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein), cell reproduction, introduction to genetics. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Natural Sciences with Lab, Elective)

Structure and function of the human body. Homeostasis; tissues; integumentary, skeletal, nervous, and muscular systems. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Natural Sciences with Lab, Elective)

Cardiovascular system; lymphatic system; immunology; respiratory system; digestive system; metabolism; urinary system; endocrine system; reproductive system; and genetics. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)

Introduction to bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Includes microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, ecology, technological applications, microbial diseases of humans, immunology, public health, and medical control strategies. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Natural Sciences with Lab, Elective)

Active reading, effective writing, and critical thinking, using subjective and objective approaches. Introduction to research techniques. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Communication Skills)

This course introduces students to the profession of Dental Hygiene and the concepts and practices that prevent and control oral diseases. The emphasis is on oral health promotion, to include plaque control, patient education, and behavior modification through clinician/client communication. Communication strategies such as motivational interviewing, reflective listening, and anticipatory guidance are practiced. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course expands student knowledge of the anatomical structures of the head and neck. Investigation of clinical correlations relevant for dental professionals is emphasized. Information from this course prepares the student for the DHYG 124 Pain Management course as well. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course focuses on the study of anatomy and morphology of primary and permanent teeth. Students will also understand the structures that form the foundation for normal and abnormal function and the relationship of teeth to each other. Anatomical terminology, root morphology, hard tissue charting, occlusion and dental anomalies are applied to clinical correlations in the laboratory setting. This class may include students from multiple sections.

Students are introduced to the theoretical and practical aspects of all areas of clinical dental hygiene. Areas explored include the contemporary role of the dental hygienist, the evolving profession of dental hygiene, and procedures and techniques that are utilized in the dental hygiene process of care. Emphasis is on professionalism, patient communication, ergonomics, clinical systems and protocol, infection control, basic instrumentation and sharpening. This course also includes OSHA, CDC, hazard communication and infection control guidelines. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course provides the opportunity for application of the information presented concurrently in DHYG 115. Students practice infection control, patient assessment, including taking vital signs, health history review, extra-oral and intra-oral examination, hard tissue evaluation, periodontal charting, instrument sharpening and instrumentation using manikins and student partners. Students are trained in Basic Life Support Systems (BLS). This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is designed to examine the fundamentals of dental radiography. Topics include history, physical, biological, radiation safety, legal and quality assurance considerations. Clinical applications include exposure techniques, film processing, digital techniques, along with interpreting and correcting technical errors. The radiology lab will also include obtaining diagnostic quality exposures on the dental mannequin DXTR. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course explores the embryologic formation and the histologic processes of the oral cavity. Normal and abnormal structures of the head and oral cavity, as well as microscopic anatomy of the oral cavity are studied. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course presents a structured study of the discipline of periodontics with a focus on the biological, behavioral, and clinical aspects of periodontal diseases. Topics include normal vs. diseased periodontal structures, etiology, risk factors, classification, and epidemiology. Students will apply periodontal assessment techniques leading to the development of appropriate strategies for planning preventative care, initial treatment, and maintenance procedures for periodontal diseases. Students are introduced to evidence-based decision making as they apply course content to simulated cases. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course introduces dental hygiene students to the principles of pharmacology and its relation to oral hygiene. Classes of pharmaceuticals and their treatment of common health disorders will be provided in addition to drugs that are commonly used in the dental practice setting. This class may include students from multiple sections.

In this course, students learn basic methods of medical and dental emergency prevention and management in the dental setting. Emphasis is placed on recognizing signs, symptoms, and treatment of the more common emergencies which may occur in the dental setting. Drugs and equipment that are utilized in the management of medical emergencies are explored. Students practice communication skills necessary in emergency situations. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This lecture course is designed to provide students with the dental hygiene process of care for child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Promotion of oral health and wellness is stressed through lectures and case studies. Products are discussed as well as cariology, fluoride delivery options and polishing. Tooth desensitizing and more advanced sharpening techniques will be added to the students' growing dental hygiene knowledge. Students will begin to create a clinical case portfolio that will be submitted for review in the final quarter of the dental hygiene program. Students integrate knowledge and skills developed in DHYG 110, DHYG 115, DHYG 116, and concurrent course DHYG 126. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is designed to allow students to demonstrate professional behavior and beginning clinical experiences in the treatment of child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Promotion of oral health and wellness is stressed through clinical experiences with patient assessment, dental hygiene care planning, intra-professional communication via case presentation and implementation and evaluation of treatment outcomes. This class may include students from multiple sections.

In this course, students will gain experience with industry standards such as digital intra oral, digital extra oral, digital photography, and intraoral cameras with critique and interpretation of normal and abnormal conditions. Radiographs on patient populations are performed. Clinical applications of the concepts delivered in DHYG 118 take place during the laboratory experience. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course covers general pathological processes and the study of diseases and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial structures. Special emphasis is placed on the recognition of clinical signs and symptoms of disease, the diagnostic process, and the treatment of oral and maxillofacial diseases and disorders. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course provides instruction, clinical experiences, and assessment of atraumatic techniques of local anesthesia delivery. Introduction and experience with safe pain management strategies including topical, injectable, and subgingival local anesthetic delivery will be presented and implemented. Methods of sedation will be introduced and experienced, with an emphasis on nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia and sedation. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course introduces the student to selected dental materials and to basic restorative dentistry procedures and techniques. The course is designed to give students a working knowledge of skills required for restorative dentistry. This class may include students from multiple sections.

In this lecture course students learn the principles, rationale, and applications of area-specific curets, advanced fulcrum techniques, piezo and magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaling, air-powder polishing. Students will continue utilizing the dental hygiene process of care for child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Promotion of oral health and wellness is stressed through lectures and case studies. Students continue to add to their clinical case portfolio. This class may include students from multiple sections.

In this course, the use of ultrasonic scaling, air-polishing, area-specific curettes and periodontal files, advanced fulcrums and other treatment modalities are implemented. Cariology considerations and additional fluoride delivery options implemented for patient care. Students integrate knowledge and skills developed in previous courses. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is designed to provide a review of the basic principles of biochemistry and nutrition related to oral health and disease. Nutritional knowledge and principles will be utilized as it relates to the dental hygiene process of care. Students will complete patient dietary surveys and develop correctional nutritional plans relative to oral health. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This lecture course is designed to enable students to expand their knowledge about treatment of the periodontally involved patient. Students will increase their knowledge of techniques for patient assessment, treatment planning, patient communication, full mouth scaling, and non-surgical periodontal treatment. Students study the connection between oral and systemic health. Tobacco Cessation Counseling is introduced. Students continue to add to their clinical case portfolio. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This clinical course is designed to enable students to demonstrate competency with the pediatric and adolescent patient and to expand their experience in the treatment of the periodontally involved patient. Students refine techniques for treatment planning for root planing and non-surgical periodontal treatment. Utilization of radiographs, local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation in patient care is further developed. Students integrate knowledge and skills developed in all previous course work to date. This class may include students from multiple sections.

Introduction to science of behavior. Emphasis on biological foundations of behavior, cognition, learning, intelligence, motivation, memory, personality, and psychological disorders. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

This course focuses on providing preventive dental hygiene care for people with special health care needs. It provides students with a broad background in the provision of oral health services for people with a variety of special needs and circumstances. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is designed to enable students to examine the principles and practices of social and cultural competent oral health care. The social and professional responsibility of the dental professional regarding public promotion of oral health and access to care is examined. Course will introduce students to health care disparities from a sociological perspective, such as social structure, socialization, and inequalities of underserved populations. The role of effective communication and the provision of care with diverse populations will be explored. Emphasis is placed on the role of the dental hygienist as an innovator and educator in community dental health programs with consideration to the social determinants of oral health, needs assessment, biostatistics application, program planning, results, and evaluation. Students will design and implement a community-based oral health research project. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is a continuation of DHYG 131: Restorative I and builds on previously introduced principles of restorative dentistry and corresponding armamentarium. Students continue to develop restorative skills through lab experiences and didactic instruction. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is designed to enable students to expand their knowledge about treatment of the periodontally involved patient. Students refine techniques for patient assessment, treatment planning, patient communication, full mouth scaling, and non-surgical periodontal treatment. Connections between oral health and systemic health are pursued. Students continue to develop and add to their clinical case portfolio. This class may include students from multiple sections.

In this course, students continue to practice and further refine their dental hygiene skills. Students further their experience in treatment of the periodontally involved patient. Students refine techniques for treatment planning for root planing, and non-surgical periodontal treatment. Utilization of radiographs, local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation in patient care is further developed. Students integrate knowledge and skills developed in all previous course work to date. Students begin extramural rotations into the local community with faculty supervision. This class may include students from multiple sections.

Students study ethical theories and issues related to the practice of dental hygiene and professionalism. A personal philosophy of professional conduct, continuous quality assurance and self-assessment is explored. Fundamental factors necessary to practice within existing regulatory frameworks are stressed. Inter- and intra-professional communication is practiced. This course will also include Washington State laws to pass the required state Drug and Law exam. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is a continuation of DHYG 241 Restorative Dentistry II and builds on previously introduced principles of restorative dentistry and corresponding armamentarium. Students continue to develop restorative skills through lab experiences and clinical application. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is designed to enable students to expand their knowledge about the periodontally involved patient. Students refine their knowledge about patient assessment, treatment planning, patient communication, full mouth scaling, and non-surgical periodontal treatment. National Board preparation and taking a mock National Board. Students begin to think about employment and continue to develop and add to their clinical case portfolio. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course continues to offer advanced clinical experience in providing dental hygiene treatment for a variety of clinical patient cases. Students use local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, oral antimicrobials, and dietary analysis and recommendations. Regional Board Examination requirements and protocol are reviewed and simulated through practical exercises. Identification of an appropriate patient for licensure examination is made. Students integrate knowledge and skills developed in all previous course work to date. Students continue extramural rotations into the local community with faculty supervision. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course presents advanced concepts of dental hygiene theory, comprehensive dental hygiene assessment, and treatment planning. Topics will include evidence-based decision making, powered instrumentation, dentinal hypersensitivity, periodontal pharmacology/chemotherapies to control disease activity, advanced instrumentation techniques and root morphology, sharpening skills, periodontal/restorative relationships, evolving technology for evaluation of oral lesions, and practice with comprehensive dental hygiene treatment planning. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is a continuation of DHYG 242: Restorative Dentistry III and builds on previously introduced principles of restorative dentistry and corresponding armamentarium. Students continue to develop restorative skills through lab experiences and clinical application. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course is designed to prepare students with critical thinking skills for transition into professional clinical dental hygiene practice. Students will review criteria to prepare for licensure exams and integrate acquired knowledge into dental hygiene practice. Development of a personal resume and cover letter are accomplished to facilitate the transition to clinical practice. Students' professional clinical portfolios will be completed and presented. This class may include students from multiple sections.

This course continues to offer advanced clinical experience in performing treatment for a variety of clinical patient cases. Students use local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, oral antimicrobials, and dietary analysis. Regional Board Examination requirements and protocol are reviewed and simulated through practical exercises. Student rationale and identification of an appropriate patient for licensure examination is made. Students integrate knowledge and skills developed in all previous course work to date. This class may include students from multiple sections.