Dental Hygiene
Essential Program Requirements
The following examples are types of activities which a student in the Dental Hygiene program will be required to perform in order to successfully complete the program.
| Issue | Standard | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Exposure | The Dental hygiene student may be exposed to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, latex, and medicinal preparations. Students shall use appropriate precautions at all times. | Provide care, using standard precautions, for a client/patient with a communicable disease. |
| Communication | Written, verbal, & auditory communication skills to permit effective interaction with others. | Communicate with staff members, patients, and other students while wearing high filtration face masks. Ascertain medical/dental history information. Monitor patient needs during treatment. Provide individualized home care instructions. |
| Visual | Visual acuity sufficient to read medical information and assess dental conditions and treatment. | Annotate chart entries on paper and/or computerized dental records. Assess intra oral conditions. Interpret dental radiographs. |
| Mobility | Sufficient mobility to maneuver in small areas. | Access patient within confines of dental operatory and radiographic room, which involves a variety of sitting & standing positions, including bending, twisting, and reaching. Access darkroom for development of radiographs. |
| Motor Skills | Fine and gross motor skills sufficient to perform complex psychomotor tasks. | Explore and scale teeth with small diameter instruments. Manipulate power-driven instruments. Place intra oral dental radiographs. |
| Cognitive/Critical Thinking | Cognitive ability sufficient to recognize deviations from normal, co-diagnose, and plan treatment. | Respond quickly & appropriately to medical emergencies. Utilize assessment information to identify pathology, individualize treatment, and suggest referral when necessary. |
