Dental Hygiene, Degree (DH13)  Degree

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1050 Provides fundamental skills to be utilized in the delivery of optimum patient care by the dental hygienist. Topics include: patient assessment, instrumentation, charting, occlusion, caries, emergencies, ethics and professionalism, asepsis, and patient and clinician positioning.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on the nature, qualities, composition and manipulation of materials used in dentistry. The primary goal of this course is to enhance the student's ability to make clinical judgments regarding the use and care of dental materials based on how these materials react in the oral environment. Topics include: dental materials standards, dental materials properties, impression materials, gypsum products, mouthguards and whitening systems, dental bases, liners and cements, temporary restorations, classifications for restorative dentistry, direct restorative materials, indirect restorative materials, polishing procedures for dental restorations, removable dental prostheses, sealants, and implants.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1040 Provides fundamental skills to be utilized in the delivery of optimum patient care by the dental hygienist. Topics include: asepsis, ethics and professionalism, emergencies, patient assessment, patient and clinician positioning, instrumentation, charting, occlusion and caries.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1080 Emphasizes the application of radiology principles in the study of the teeth and their surrounding structures. Topics include: radiation physics principles; radiation biology; radiation safety; radiographic quality assurance; imaging theory; radiographic interpretation; radiographic need; legal issues of dental radiography; and digital radiography techniques and principles.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Dental Biology provides the student with a thorough knowledge of external and internal morphological characteristics of human primary and secondary dentition. It also introduces the student to various tooth identification systems, classifications of occlusion and dental anomalies. Topics include: oral cavity anatomy, dental terminology, external and internal tooth anatomy, tooth nomenclature and numbering systems, individual tooth and root morphology, occlusion and dental anomalies. Dental Biology also focuses on the study of cells and tissues of the human body, with emphasis on those tissues that compose the head, neck, and oral cavity. Topics include: cellular structure and organelles, histology of epithelium, histology of muscle tissue, and histology of nerve tissue, histology of connective tissue, embryological development of the head and neck, tooth development and development of tooth supporting structures. Dental Biology focuses on anatomy of the head and neck. Emphasis is placed on those structures directly affected by the practice of dentistry. Topics include: Terminology, anatomic landmarks, osteology of the skull, temporomandibular joint, muscles of mastication, muscles of facial expression, nervous system, blood supply of the head and neck, lymphatic system and immunology, endocrine and exocrine glands of the head and neck, nasal and paranasal sinuses, and fascial spaces and the spread of dental infections.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, DHYG 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of radiology principles in the study of the teeth and their surrounding structures. Topics include: radiation safety, radiographic quality assurance, imaging theory, radiographic interpretation, radiographic need, and digital radiography principles and techniques.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1040 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1111 Continues the development of knowledge in patient care. Topics include: prevention, instrumentation, patient management, dental appliances, and treatment planning.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 9 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1050 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1110 Continues the development of knowledge in patient care. Topics include: prevention, instrumentation, patient management, dental appliances, treatment planning, and applied techniques.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 1 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, DHYG 1040, DHYG 1050, DHYG 1080, DHYG 1206 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1110, DHYG 1111, DHYG 2200 DHYG 1112 Administration of Local Anesthetic for Dental Hygienist will be taught under the direct supervision and instruction of a Georgia licensed dentist. Course will explore all aspects of local anesthesia from pharmacology to anatomy and clinical management of all dental patients. Clinical techniques will include block anesthesia and/or soft tissue infiltration anesthesia to a non-sedated patient for pain control. Special emphasis will be placed on administering anesthesia to periodontal patients. Couse will be taught through lecture, laboratory and clinical formats. Upon successful completion of all specified course requirements and graduation from the dental hygiene program, the student will be eligible to receive a certificate of completion.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces principles of basic pharmacology as they pertain to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. Emphasizes actions and reactions of medications commonly used in the dental office or taken by dental patients. Topics include: pharmaceutical referencing; legal and ethical considerations; drug effects; contraindications; drug related emergencies; dental related anesthesia; and pain control.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1070, DHYG 1110 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2020 Continues the development of student knowledge in treating patients and preventing oral disease. Topics include: instrument sharpening; patient assessment; antimicrobial use; pulp vitality testing; treatment of hypersensitivity; whitening; implant care; tobacco cessation; pit and fissure sealants, scaling, debridement and root planing; ultrasonics and air polishing and dietary analysis.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Provides fundamental information on periodontal anatomy, pathogenesis of the periodontal diseases, and an introduction to modern rational periodontal therapy, including preventive, non-surgical, and surgical methods. Topics include: tissues of the periodontium; periodontal pathology; periodontal diseases; assessment and treatment planning; periodontal disease therapy; and periodontal emergencies.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1070, DHYG 1090, DHYG 1111 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2010 Continues the development of student knowledge in treating patients and preventing oral disease. Topics include: instrument sharpening; patient assessment; antimicrobial use; pulp vitality testing; treatment of hypersensitivity; whitening; implant care; tobacco cessation; pit and fissure sealants; scaling, debridement and root planing; ultrasonics and air polishing; dietary analysis, and applied techniques.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Introduces pathology as a specialty of dentistry and includes the etiology, pathogenesis and recognition of various pathological conditions. Emphasis is placed on oral and paraoral pathology and systemic conditions affecting the head and neck. Topics include: terminology and biopsy procedures; inflammation, repair, and regeneration; soft tissue and dental anomalies; pathogenesis of caries and pulpal pathology; cysts and tumors of the head and neck; systemic conditions that affect the oral structures; infectious diseases; diseases of the salivary glands; diseases of bone; blood dyscrasias; vesiculo-erosive and autoimmune diseases; and genetic diseases and syndromes of the head and neck.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 12 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2020 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2080 Continues the development of student skills necessary for treatment and prevention of oral disease. Topics include: special needs patients and applied techniques.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1110 Co-requisite(s): None Provides students with a broad understanding of the healthcare system and an objective view of the significant social, political, psychological and economic forces directing the system. Prepares students to promote oral health and prevent oral disease in a community, by meeting specific dental health needs of community groups. Topics include: epidemiology; community dental care assessment; community dental care provision; preventive counseling for groups; group oral health education; terminology; dental care systems; biostatistics; and concepts of dental research.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2010 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2090 Continues the development of student knowledge necessary for treatment and prevention of oral diseases. Topics include: treatment of patients with special needs.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): CHEM 1152/L Co-requisite(s): None Familiarizes students with the role of nutrition in the human body with an emphasis on the dental hygienist's role as a nutritional educator. Topics include: molecular structure, carbohydrates, proteins, nutrition and digestion, bioenergetics, nutritional aspects, nutritional disorders, and diet assessment.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2080 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2140 Focuses on the dental hygiene field and presents the fundamental concepts and principles necessary for successful participation in the dental profession. Topics include: employability skills; State of Georgia Dental Practice Act; office management; expanded duties; legal aspects; ethics; dental hygiene practice settings; and dentistry and dental hygiene regulation.

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 12 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2090 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2130 Continues the development of student skills necessary for treatment and prevention of oral disease. Topics include: applied techniques and time management.