Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 72S
Advanced Periodontal Procedure

Effective: Spring 2021
SLO Rev: 03/26/2020

Catalog Description:

DHYG 72S - Advanced Periodontal Procedure

0.50 Units

Lecture experiences in advanced instrumentation techniques; workshops on recognizing patients’ medical needs and their relationship to dental treatment.
Prerequisite: DHYG 71B.
CB03: TOP Code 1240.20 - Dental Hygienist*
Course Grading: Pass/No Pass
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 0.50 9.00 18.00 27.00
Total 0.50 9.00 18.00 27.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. utilize the medical history, patient interview and patient assessments to collect and document information pertinent to the patient’s medical and dental status on all patients;
  2. utilize the appropriate clinic form to obtain necessary medical consultation, and or clearances for patients;
  3. list rationale for use of the Gracey curettes in advanced periodontal instrumentation;
  4. identify and describe the relationship between the Gracey curet and root morphology in advanced instrumentation;
  5. describe the principles of Gracey instrumentation;
  6. describe the different types of Gracey curettes;
  7. describe the principles of instrument sharpening for Gracey curettes, Universal curettes and sickles;
  8. describe the proper grasp and instrumentation technique for a micro-ultrasonic scaler;
  9. describe the indications, contra-indications and medical precautions when considering power scaling;
  10. describe the proper use of advanced fulcrum techniques;
  11. describe proper loading and unloading of a breach loading syringe.

Course Content:

  1. Record keeping
    1. Required clinic forms
      1. Medical History
      2. Dental History
      3. Drug Synopsis
      4. Specia Needs Case
      5. Dental Hygiene Care Plan
      6. Needs Assessment
      7. Chart Audit
      8. Clinic Map
      9. Patient Consent Form
      10. Patient Release of Liability
      11. Periodontal Evaluation Record
      12. Restorative Charting
      13. Periodontal Staging and Grading
      14. CaMBRA
      15. Plaque Index
      16. Consent for Local Anesthesia
  2. Gracey instrumentation
    1. Advanced fulcuming
    2. Advanced instrumentation Technique
  3. Instrument sharpening
    1. Sharpening of Gracey Curettes
    2. Sharpening of Universal Curettes
    3. Sharpening of Anterior and Posterior sickles
  4. Power scaling
    1. Proper assembly of Ultrasonic Scaler
    2. Identification of Microultrasoic Inserts
    3. Care of Microultrasonic Inserts
    4. Terminology of Untrasonic Scaling
    5. Contraindications to Ultrasonic Scaling
  5. Basic local anesthesia technique
    1. Identify parts of a breach loading syringe
    2. identify parts of a disposable needle
    3. Identify parts of a local anesthetic cartridge
    4. Assembly and disassembly of a breach loading syringe
    5. Proper disposal of sharps

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Audiovisual Aids
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Demonstration/Exercise
  4. Hands-on Activities
  5. Activity play

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Using a medical history for a clinical patient, determine the need for medical consult prior to treatment
  2. Demonstrate on a typodont how to instrument the distal surface of a first molar
  3. Given a cassette of Gracey curettes, demonstrate proper sharpening technique for each instrument
  4. Demonstrate the proper procedure for loading and unloading a syringe
  5. Demonstrate on a typodont the proper ultrasonic grasp and instrumentation technique.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Skills check sheets
  2. Clinical competency
  3. Final clinical/didactic exam
  4. Class Participation
  5. Demonstration of practice and skills
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. identify and discuss proper utilization of all clinic forms;
  2. discuss and describe Gracey instrumentation and advanced fulcrum techniques;
  3. discuss and describe the correct sharpening technique of a Gracey curette, Universal scaler and Sickle scaler;
  4. describe the safe assembly and disassembly of a syringe for administration of local anesthesia;
  5. describe the proper ultrasonic grip and instrumentation techniques;
  6. discuss the indications and contraindications of using an ultrasonic scaler in patient care.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Wilkins, E. M., Wyche, C. J., & Boyd, L. D. (2019). Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist (13). Wolters Klewer.
  2. Nield-Gehrig (2017). Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation (8). Wolters Klewer.
Additional Materials:
  • Instrument kits
  • Protective clothing, eyewear, masks, gloves
  • Typodont
  • Local Anesthesia kit
  • Ultrasonic unit and ultrasonic tips

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Lecture experiences in advanced instrumentation techniques; workshops on recognizing patients’ medical needs and their relationship to dental treatment.
Prerequisite: DHYG 71B.