Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 69A
Oral Health Care Education

Effective: Fall 2020
SLO Rev: 12/30/2016
Catalog Description:

DHYG 69A - Oral Health Care Education

2.00 Units

Educational techniques and technical skills used to assist individuals and groups in becoming integrally involved in their dental/oral health care. Information and application of information related to oral health care, oral health promotion and disease prevention.
Corequisite: Current enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Program
1240.20 - Dental Hygienist*
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Total 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. list the six roles of the dental hygienist (DH) and give an example or function of the DH in each role;
  2. define Dental Hygiene;
  3. list the four main processes dental hygienists utilize;
  4. identify three models in dental hygiene care;
  5. differentiate between the occupational dental hygienist and the professional dental hygienist;
  6. describe ways in which a client’s beliefs, attitudes and values can affect his or her oral health behavior;
  7. explain the development of dental plaque and its relation to dental diseases;
  8. explain the development of the carious lesion;
  9. articulate the role of dental plaque in the etiology and pathogenesis of the inflammatory periodontal diseases and dental caries;
  10. describe the oral disease processes by identifying factors involved in the etiology of dental caries and the inflammatory periodontal disease. Describe the ways in which these factors interact;
  11. describe the role of fluoride in the prevention of dental caries by listing the principle methods of receiving fluoride protection and the advantages and disadvantages of each method relative to other available methods;
  12. discuss the role of diet and nutrition in the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease;
  13. conduct a diet counseling protocol on a patient/student partner, using the procedures and strategies discussed in class and in the reading assignments;
  14. discuss how the dental hygiene care provider can assist patients/clients with disease prevention and oral health promotion at various life span stages;
  15. discuss the design characteristics of contemporary manual toothbrush models on the market and discuss the basic characteristics of a good manual toothbrush;
  16. explain the different manual tooth brushing techniques such as the Bass, Stillman and Charters technique. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method;
  17. explain the advantages and disadvantages for various power toothbrushes and indications for their use;
  18. identify the various interdental plaque control devices available for patient/client use; discuss the appropriate use, the indications and contraindications for these devices;
  19. identify the key ingredients of dentifrices;
  20. recommend the appropriate dentifrice for your patient's/client’s needs;
  21. identify various mouthrinses and their chemical components;
  22. identify appropriate mouthrinses for your patient's/client’s specific needs;
  23. articulate the history of sugar; it’s role in diet and caries;
  24. describe the various types of sugar and sugar alternatives;
  25. discuss with parents their role in helping to maintain health in their child’s mouth;
  26. discuss early childhood caries (ECC), their origin and prevention;
  27. identify the various types of eating disorders and their effects on the oral cavity;
  28. explain how oral health products are evaluated;
  29. explain the ADA Seal of Approval process: how a product is reviewed and evaluated;
  30. describe methods for evaluating patient/client oral hygiene practices;
  31. develop and conduct an oral health education program on a patient/student partner;
  32. demonstrate techniques for planning, implementing and evaluating to include:
    a. assessment of patient's/client’s oral health needs;
    b. setting of appropriate goals and objectives;
    c. selection of appropriate preventive measures;
    d. selection of appropriate patient's/client educational materials, educational methods, and strategies for communication;
    e. implementation of the oral health care program;
    f. documentation of assessments including evaluation of patient's/client’s performance;
    g. evaluation of patient/client response to program;
    h. development of future goals and directions to improve or maintain level of patient/client oral hygiene practices.
Course Content:
  1. Six roles of the dental hygienist
  2. Introduction to dental hygiene practice
  3. Health beliefs, attitudes, and values
  4. Principles of learning motivation
  5. Dental plaque
  6. Dental caries
  7. Product approval process
  8. Manual plaque control
    1. Toothbrushing (manual and power)
    2. Interdental devices
  9. Chemical plaque control
    1. Dentrifrices
    2. Mouth rinses
    3. Antimicrobial agents
    4. Subgingival plaque control
    5. Product evaluation
  10. Fluoride
    1. Systematic
    2. Topical
  11. Eating disorders
  12. Early Childhood Caries (ECC)
  13. Methods of evaluating client oral health practices
  14. Development and implementation of an oral health education program
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Audiovisual aids
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Demonstration/Exercise
  4. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Go on a product scavenger hunt
  2. Create an oral health care education presentation
  3. Develop a patient/client oral health care education program (assessment, plan, implementation and outcomes)
  1. Quizzes
  2. Midterm Examination
  3. Final Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Compare and contrast the design characteristics of contemporary manual toothbrush models on the market
  2. demonstrate on a typodont different manual tooth brushing techniques (i.e. Bass, Stillman’s and Charters’)
  3. Identify and recommend the proper adjunct oral hygiene aid to meet identified patient needs
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Harris, Norman O., Arden, Christen, G. (2014). Primary Preventive Dentistry (8th). McGraw Hill.
  2. Wilkins, Esther, M (2014). Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist (12th). Wolters Kluwer.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Educational techniques and technical skills used to assist individuals and groups in becoming integrally involved in their dental/oral health care. Information and application of information related to oral health care, oral health promotion and disease prevention.
Corequisite: Current enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Program