Course Outline for Dental Hygiene 54
Pharmacology

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev:

Catalog Description:

DHYG 54 - Pharmacology

2.00 Units

Sources, dosages, therapeutic action, and side effects of drugs used in dentistry and dental hygiene. Includes legal and ethical aspects of drug usage.
Corequisite: DHYG 57.
CB03: TOP Code 1240.20 - Dental Hygienist*
CIP Code 51.0602 - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Course Grading: 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. differentiate between chemical names, generic names, and trade names of drugs;
  2. define the terms: pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicology;
  3. differentiate between the terms: potency vs. efficacy; ED vs. LD; onset of action vs. duration of action;
  4. describe the major distribution areas and routes of drugs in the body, including the factors affecting this distribution;
  5. identify drugs (and drug products) actively prescribed and/or employed in dental and dental hygiene practice:
    a. describe their pharmacologic and therapeutic effects including mechanism of action and adverse effects;
    b. describe their administration and distribution in the body;
    c. list and describe their main clinical uses and side-effects, including dosage ranges and precautions for use;
    d. classify and list commonly-used preparations (of the drugs) including generic names and trade names;
    e. compare and contrast the use and efficacy of similar drugs within a pharmacologic class including their advantages and disadvantages, in clinical use;
  6. describe how drugs (and drug products) not normally utilized in dental and dental hygiene practice, but capable of presenting a potential dental practice problem when prescribed medically, will modify a patient's functions and how these modifications require proper handling of the patient in clinical practice:
    a. describe the pharmacological action and generic therapeutic use of these drugs with special emphasis on those self-effects and adverse reactions that affect clinical practice;
    b. describe the major interactions of these drugs and procedures employed and prescribed in clinical practice;
    c. list and describe clinical precautions to be employed when these drugs are being used medically by the patient;
  7. indicate the indications and contraindications for use of medications by pregnant and /or lactating females;
  8. describe the drug interactions that occur when the drug(s) are taken by a pregnant and/or lactating female;
  9. indicate the signs and symptoms of drug abuse and the treatment modalities for dealing with the drug addicted patient.

Course Content:

1.    General principles of pharmacology; untoward reactions

                2.     Drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system

                3.     CNS Depressants: psychotherapeutic agents, anti-psychotic anti-anxiety and anti-depressants

                4.     Anticonvulsant and CNS stimulants

                5.     Analgesics-narcotic and non-narcotic

                6.     General anesthesia and local anesthesia

                7.     Adrenocorticosteroids and other hormones

                8.     Chemotherapeutics-antibiotics

                9.     Chemotherapeutics-antifungal and antiviral drugs

                10.   Cardiovascular drugs

                11.   Respiratory and gastrointestinal drugs

                12.   Autocoids and antihistamines

                13.   Antineoplastic drugs

                14.   Pregnancy and breast feeding

                15.   Drug abuse

                16.   Vitamins, mineral, and herbals

                17.   Hormones and Bisphosphonates

                18.   Emergency Drugs

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Case studies
  2. Lectures
  3. Presentation of audio-visual materials
  4. Class and group discussions
  5. Research project
  6. Group Presentations

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Utilize current drug guide to define the mode of action, dosage, indications/contraindications and dental considerations for a commonly-prescribed drug.
  2. Using a clinical patient write a case study using the drugs that the patient is currently taking. Develop test questions that could be used to test your classmates' knowledge of the effects of the drug on the patient and/or the patient's treatment plan.
  3. Group presentation of drugs to include: Classification, dosages, effects, side-effects, contraindications
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Quizzes
  2. Midterm Examination
  3. Final Examination
  4. Critical thinking exercises
  5. Class Participation
  6. Group Projects
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Identify and discuss drugs commonly prescribed in the dental practice, their pharmacologic and therapeutic effects, mechanism of action, adverse effects, clinical uses, and side effects
  2. Identify and discuss commonly prescribed drugs, there pharmacologic action and therapeutic use, potential drug interactions and adverse effects related to the provision of dental hygiene care

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Haveles, Bablenis Elena (2023). Applied Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist (9th). C.V. Mosby.
  2. Bowen, D. M. & Pierin, J. A. (2023). Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice (5th). Elsevier.
  3. Wynn, R. L., T.J. Meiller, and H.L. Crossley (2020). Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry. (26th or most current edition). Wolters Klewer.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Sources, dosages, therapeutic action, and side effects of drugs used in dentistry and dental hygiene. Includes legal and ethical aspects of drug usage.
Corequisite: DHYG 57.

Discipline:
Dental Technology