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.
Course Outcomes
Identify medications frequently employed by dental hygienists and dentists.
Identify common drug classes and the systemic diseases that are used to treat them.
Recognize basic principles of pharmacokinetics, including absorption, therapeutic effect and elimination.
Describe how certain pharmaceutical therapies can interact with oral hygiene and provide education on how any negative side effects to oral hygiene can be mitigated.
Identify components of a written prescription and explain requirements to ensure the prescription is safe.
Recognize commonly used drugs used in health emergency situations at dental offices.
Define substance use disorders and recognize common drug classes that have abuse potential.
Identify the role the dental hygienist has in aiding patients with tobacco use disorder.
Analyze a patient medical and surgical history and identify drugs taken by the patient and how the drug could affect their care.