Chabot CollegeFall 2003

Replaced Fall 2006

Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 83

PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Catalog Description:

83 - Patients With Special Needs1 unit

Dental Hygiene therapy with emphasis on patients with special needs. Prerequisite: Dental Hygiene 80A (completed with a grade of C or higher). Corequisites: Dental Hygiene 80B and 81B. 1 hour.

Prerequisite Skills:

Before entering the course the student should be able to:

  1. describe and recognize characteristics of the child dental patient;
  2. list objectives and define techniques for applying of pit and fissure sealants for dental caries control;
  3. list rationale and techniques for a variety of topical fluoride applications for a variety of patients;
  4. describe rationale and techniques for utilizing power scaling;
  5. identify and describe the role of the hygienist in preventive dental caries control;
  6. describe the rationale for treatment planning and the role of the hygienist in advanced periodontal therapy;
  7. identify and describe alternative techniques for sharpening and maintaining well contoured Gracey instruments.

Corequisite Skills:

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

  1. perform nutritional counseling for prevention of dental disease utilizing dietary analysis;
  2. describe and utilize the team approach to preventive dentistry;
  3. describe techniques of tooth desensitization;
  4. describe the procedures for margination and polishing amalgam restoration, listing indications and precautions;
  5. describe the types of chemotherapeutic agents used in dentistry, techniques and limitations of their uses;
  6. define self-evaluation for student ergonomics and prevention of occupational risks;
  7. describe systems of dental hygiene recall;
  8. describe procedures, benefits and limitations of the Air-Jet and Cavi-Med in the clinical situation;
  9. describe the contributing factors in disease development;
  10. describe comprehensive dental hygiene therapy planning and treatment;
  11. describe the techniques for the care and maintenance of dental implants;
  12. scale and root plane teeth using a systematic order, appropriate type, sharp and correctly contoured instrument within minimum time and trauma;
  13. polish teeth, restorations and fixed appliances using appropriate abrasives and polishing agents;
  14. recognize clinically and discuss the value of preventive periodontal therapy and the role of the hygienist in this activity;
  15. demonstrate consistency in performing soft tissue curettage on selected clinic patients using appropriate local anesthetic agents;
  16. expose, process, mount, and interpret diagnostically acceptable radiographic surveys on clinic patients;
  17. adapt and perform dental hygiene procedures for a variety of patients with special needs;
  18. use the intra-oral camera;
  19. maintain accurate, complete dental records;
  20. perform margination and polishing restorations on a variety of clinical patients;
  21. demonstrate clinical competency in infection control techniques/prevention of disease transmission;
  22. apply ethical reasoning to dental hygiene practice;
  23. serve all clients in the community without discrimination;
  24. provide humane and compassionate care to all patients/clients;
  25. demonstrate honesty in relationships with patients/clients, colleagues, and other professionals;
  26. ensure the privacy of the patient/client during treatment and confidentiality of patient/client records;
  27. adhere to state and federal laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene;
  28. obtain, review, and update vital signs, medical history, family history, social history, and dental history while recognizing cultural differences in populations;
  29. manage the patient/client chart as a legal document and maintain its accuracy;

Chabot College

Course outline for Dental Hygiene 83, page 2

Fall 2003

Corequisite Skills – continued:

  1. determine medical conditions that require special precaution or consideration prior to and/or during dental hygiene treatment;
  2. identify the patient/client at risk for a medical emergency and manage the patient/client care to prevent an emergency;
  3. perform a comprehensive examination using clinical, radiographic periodontal and dental charting, as well as other data collection procedures to assess the patient's/client's needs;
  4. determine priorities and establish oral health goals with the patient/client and/or guardian as an active participant;
  5. establish a planned sequence of educational and clinical services based on the dental hygiene diagnosis which includes etiology, prognosis, and treatment alternatives;
  6. obtain the patient's/client's informed consent based on a thorough case presentation;
  7. make appropriate referrals to other health care professionals;
  8. use accepted infection control procedures;
  9. provide an environment conducive to health by applying basic and advanced principles of dental hygiene instrumentation without causing trauma to hard or soft tissue;
  10. control pain and anxiety during treatment through the use of accepted clinical and behavioral management strategies;
  11. select and administer the appropriate antimicrobial or antibiotic agent with pre- and post-treatment instructions;
  12. provide adjunct dental hygiene services that can be legally performed in the State of California;
  13. evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and education services and modify as necessary;
  14. determine the appropriate maintenance schedule;
  15. provide subsequent treatment or referrals based on evaluation of findings.

Expected Outcomes for Students:

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1.describe causes and types of physically limited conditions;

2.describe causes and types of hearing impaired conditions;

3.describe causes and types of visually impaired conditions;

4.describe causes and types of mentally impaired conditions;

5.describe and recognize characteristics of the geriatric patient;

6.describe and recognize characteristics of the gerodontic patient;

7.define dental care needs and treatments for patients with the above special needs;

8.identify the classification of the salivary glands;

9.identify patients with decreased salivary function;

10.manage oral health problem directly caused by salivary gland dysfunction;

11.describe the prevalence, incidence, and distribution of selected neurological and sensory

impairments in specific populations;

12.describe some of the more common causal agents that lead to neurological and sensory

impairment(s);

13.list and describe the specific impairments that are characteristic of each neurological and sensory

disorder;

14.demonstrate a basic understanding of the classifications of severity for selected impairments;

15.describe the conventional treatment modalities for each selected condition;

16.describe the physiological actions of estrogen and progesterone;

17.articulate how hormones affect oral health;

18.identify clinical manifestations for hormone changes;

19.develop preventive and therapeutic care plans for clients with oral manifestations of hormonal

changes;

20.articulate the behaviors associated with the major classification of mental illness;

21.identify specific mental disorders and their relevance to dental treatment;

22.develop treatment plans for patients with mental illness

23.compare and contrast two forms of immunity;

24.define immune system dysfunction;

25.describe diseases and conditions from which an acquired immune system dysfunction can result;

26.identify incidence, risk factors, and treatment of cancer;

Chabot College

Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 83, page 3

Fall 2003

Expected Outcomes for Students – continued:

27.articulate the oral complications common for a chemotherapy patient, and articulate the prevention

and care associated with each complication;

28.develop a plan of care for a patient undergoing chemotherapy;

29.articulate the five roles of the dental hygientist in caring for an immunocompromised patient;

30.identify incidence, etiology, risk factors, and treatment of HIV and AIDS;

31.compare and contrast the clinical characteristics of HIV and AIDS;

32.develop a care plan for patients with HIV and AIDS;

33.identify causes and symptoms of cancers of the head and neck;

34.demonstrate the various methods for evaluating lesions;

35.describe the types of oral complications associated with head and neck cancer treatment;

36.outline a typical oral care protocol for patients before, during, and after radiation therapy.

Course Content:

1.Physically limited patients

2.Hearing impaired patients

3.Visually impaired patients

4.Mentally impaired patients

5.Geriatric patients

  1. Gerodontic patients
  2. Dental needs and treatments for special needs patients
  3. Salivary dysfunction
  4. Neurological and sensory impairment
  5. Hormonal imbalances
  6. Mental and emotional disturbances
  7. Immune system dysfunction
  8. Head and neck cancer and radiation

Methods of Presentation:

1.Lecture

2.Demonstration

3.Discussion

4.Guest lecturers

5.Audiovisual aids

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

  1. Typical Assignments

a.Written evaluation of classroom presentations

  1. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Presentations
  2. Evaluations
  3. Written final examinations

d.Quizzes

Textbook(s)(Typical):

Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice, Darby & Walsh, Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994

Mosby’s Dental Hygiene Concepts, Cases, and Competencies, Daniel and Harfst, Mosby, 2002

Special Student Materials:

None

revised: 10/15/02