Goals & Competencies

The course of study in the dental hygiene program provides a broad-based education in the social, behavioral, and biological sciences with a special emphasis on teaching, community health, and research. DH students will become familiar with the functions routinely performed by dental hygienists, including, but not limited to:

• calculus and plaque removal (hard and soft deposits) from above and below the gumline
• examination of the teeth and oral structure, including a soft-tissue exam
• exposing, processing, and interpreting dental radiographs
• plaque control instruction and developing personal oral hygiene programs for home care
• placing temporary fillings, applying periodontal dressings, removing sutures, polishing and recontouring amalgam restorations
• dietary and tobacco use counseling
• applying caries-preventive agents, such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants
• educating the individual patient and the general public about the importance of good oral hygiene habits
• oral cancer and blood pressure screening
• Designing community dental health programs
• oral health care research, data collection, and tabulation
• working with special population groups (e.g., minority groups, geriatric patients, mentally/physically disabled persons)
• Delivery of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide oxygen sedation

GOAL #1: DEVELOP THE BASIS FOR ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR AND SERVICE

• Competency 1-1 - The graduating student provides dental hygiene care using the highest professional knowledge and ethical principles.
• Competency 1-2 - The graduating student practices within the context of the appropriate state Dental Practice Act.
• Competency 1-3 - The graduating student advocates for the well-being of the public and advances the profession of dental hygiene through participation and affiliation with professional and community organizations.

GOAL #2: DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS IN ALL AGES AND STAGES OF LIFE

• Competency 2-1 - The graduating student demonstrates and applies knowledge of psychosocial, biomedical, dental and dental hygiene sciences.
• Competency 2-2 - The graduating student identifies individual risk factors and develops educational strategies that promote patient self-care in disease prevention and health promotion.
• Competency 2-3 - The graduating student uses the dental hygiene process of care to formulate a comprehensive care plan based on assessment data and in collaboration with other health care professionals as appropriate.
• Competency 2-4 - The graduating student provides each patient with evidence-based preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene care to assist the patient in attaining and maintaining oral health.
• Competency 2-5 - The graduating student demonstrates effective interpersonal skills to establish rapport with patients and other health care providers in delivering dental hygiene care.

GOAL #3: FOSTER IN STUDENTS AN APPRECIATION FOR THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND LIFE LONG LEARNING

• Competency 3-1 - The graduating student uses critical thinking and self-assessment skills to prepare for and engage in life-long learning.
• Competency 3-2 - The graduating student uses the scientific method to evaluate scientific literature and uses an evidence-based approach to patient care.

GOAL #4: PROVIDE STUDENTS EXPERIENCES IN COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SETTINGS

• Competency 4-1 - The graduating student assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates community-based oral health programs including health promotion and disease prevention activities.
• Competency 4-2 - The graduating student provides oral health care to a diverse patient population in community-based settings.