Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 71B
Clinical Dental Hygiene

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 03/11/2021
Catalog Description:

DHYG 71B - Clinical Dental Hygiene

4.00 Units

Continuation of laboratory and clinical experiences in patient assessment with emphasis on dental hygiene care planning, goal setting and implementation of instrumentation techniques for providing prevention-oriented dental care and non-surgical periodontal therapy. Emphasis on post-treatment evaluation. Introduction to the technical skills and procedures used in the clinical practice of dental hygiene.
Prerequisite: DHYG 71A, Corequisite: DHYG 69B and DHYG 75.
1240.20 - Dental Hygienist*
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 1.00 18.00 36.00 54.00
Clinical 3.00 162.00 0.00 162.00
Total 4.00 180.00 36.00 216.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. utilize infection control protocols for prevention of disease transmission through demonstration of proper sterilization and disinfection methods, barrier techniques and maintenance of asepsis;
  2. collect and record data from the patient interview including medical history, case history, chief complaint and history of chief complaint on all clinical patients;
  3. utilize the medical history and patient interview to collect and document information pertinent to the patient's medical and dental status on all clinical patients;
  4. utilize the medical history and patient interview, collect and document information pertinent to the patient's medical and dental status;
  5. describe and demonstrate the correct technique for taking vital signs (pulse, respiration, temperature, and blood pressure) on all clinical patients;
  6. demonstrate assessment skills designed to identify dental needs in order to plan treatment with the goal of delivering comprehensive dental hygiene care on all clinical patients;
  7. demonstrate techniques and proper procedure for performing a thorough periodontal assessment and examination of the teeth on all clinical patients;
  8. apply principles of instrumentation for the proper use of the explorers, mouth mirror, periodontal probe, scaling/root planing instruments and polishing instruments on all clinical patients;
  9. record complete dental restorative charting on all clinical patients;
  10. perform selective polishing with appropriate material selection and precautions for polishing natural and restored tooth surfaces and dental appliances of appropriate clinical patients;
  11. describe and demonstrate technique, procedures and precautions for applying topical fluoride;
  12. demonstrate the proper care and treatment of an oral prosthesis;
  13. explain and describe the rationale, techniques, and armamentarium involved with scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontal disease;
  14. demonstrate the use of the Gracey curettes on an appropriate clinic patient;
  15. identify and describe the relationship between universal curette scaler and root morphology in advanced instrumentation;
  16. list objectives of Gracey curettes in advanced instrumentation;
  17. identify and describe the relationship between the Gracey curette and root morphology in advanced instrumentation;
  18. explain how the evaluation of dental hygiene care is accomplished and why it is an essential component of the dental hygiene process;
  19. identify the resources available for patients interested in tobacco cessation, provide necessary materials to aid patient;
  20. explain the indications for chemotherapeutic interventions as an adjunct to plaque control, nonsurgical periodontal therapy, the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis, and maintenance of periodontal health;
  21. describe indications, contraindications, precautions, and techniques for tooth whitening procedures.
Course Content:
  1. Medical/Dental History
    1. patient interview
    2. documentation
  2. Taking and Recording of Vital Signs
    1. pulse
    2. respiration 
    3. temprature
    4. blood pressure
  3. Infection Control/Asepsis
    1. methods of sterilization and disinfection
    2. sterilization of instruments 
    3. equipment maintenance
  4. Patient/Operator Positioning
    1. ergonomics
  5. Dental Operatory 
    1. operation and maintenance
  6. Instrumentation 
    1. assessment instruments
      1. the periodontal probe
      2. explorers
    2. universal curettes
    3. gracey curettes
    4. sickle scalers
  7. Treatment Record Documentation
    1. electronic dental records
      1. restorative charting
      2. periodontal exam
      3. treatment planning
      4. clinical notes
  8. Extraoral/Intraoral Examination 
    1. normal structures
    2. deviations from normal
    3. documentation
    4. treatment record
  9. Assessments
    1. personal plaque control
    2. periodontal evaluation record
      1. technique demonstration
      2. description
      3. documentation
    3. restorative charting
  10. Dental Hygiene Care
    1. scaling & root planing
      1. area specific curettes
    2. selective polishing
      1. dental stains
      2. contraindications
    3. fluoride therapy
      1. rationale for application
      2. technique
      3. procedure
      4. precautions
      5. dentinal hypersensitivity management
  11. Patient Education
    1. halitosis/xerostomia
    2. tobacco cessation
  12. Instrument Sharpening
    1. technique
  13. Evaluation of Scaling and Root Planing
    1. recall and maintenance
    2. personal plaque control
  14. Care of Oral Prosthesis
  15. Chemotherapeutics in Periodontal Maintenance



Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lectures
  2. Presentation of audio-visual materials
  3. Demonstration/Exercise
  4. Class and group discussions
  5. Case Study
  6. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Develop and present a case study evaluation on a selected patient
  2. Evaluate and provide comprehensive preventive dental hygiene services
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Midterm Examination
  3. Final Examination
  4. Clinical competency exams
  5. Class Participation
  6. Demonstration of practice and skills
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Collect and analyze patient assessment data to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene treatment for all clinic patients
  2. Apply principles of instrumentation with the proper use of assessment and scale/root planing instruments on all clinical patients
  3. Recognize and adhere to the ethical and legal principles involved when providing dental hygiene care to all clinical patients
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Nield-Gehrig, Jill S. (2016). Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation (8th). Jones and Bartlett Learning.
  2. Wilkins, E. (2020). Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist (13th). Jones and Bartlett Learning.
  3. Wynn, R. (2020). Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry (26th). Lexicomp.
  • Protective clothing, eye wear, masks, gloves
  • Instrument kits
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Continuation of laboratory and clinical experiences in patient assessment with emphasis on dental hygiene care planning, goal setting and implementation of instrumentation techniques for providing prevention-oriented dental care and non-surgical periodontal therapy. Emphasis on post-treatment evaluation. Introduction to the technical skills and procedures used in the clinical practice of dental hygiene.
Prerequisite: DHYG 71A, Corequisite: DHYG 69B and DHYG 75.