Dental Hygiene (DHYG)

Provides professionals (police, fire, coaches, athletic trainers, lifeguards, educators, public safety, medical and dental personnel, etc.) with knowledge and skills in providing basic emergency medical care until further assistance arrives. Focus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (2 person CPR) training for the professional. Certification will be granted upon successful completion.

Provides health care professionals with information on the current concepts in nutrition. The course includes biochemistry and metabolism of nutrients as well as nutrition throughout the lifecycle. Nutritional counseling is an integral part of the course.

Examination of dental hygiene professionalism, interprofessional collaboration, current biomedical issues related to ethical decision-making, employee rights and responsibilities, and regulations related to the practice of dental hygiene.

Presents a comprehensive theoretical introduction to dental hygiene and is designed to familiarize the student with the concept of total client/patient care.

A comprehensive introduction to dental hygiene treatment delivery. The course is designed to familiarize the student with the concept of total patient care via simulated clinical practice of theory techniques.

Concentrates on production, evaluation and interpretation of intraoral and panoramic radiographs, radiation safety and biology. Radiographic competency must be met in the production and evaluation of diagnostic full mouth series in the laboratory setting.

Provides a comprehensive study of dental materials, including the properties and manipulation, biomechanical function, physical and chemical properties, and biocompatibility of dental materials. An emphasis will be placed on those materials and skills utilized by the dental hygiene practitioner for dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning. Critical analysis of current evidence-based literature will be an integral part of this course.

Provides a comprehensive study of microscopic morphology of the head, neck and oral tissues, and anatomy of the head and neck, including embryology and structures and functions of the human dentition. This study is specific and relevant to the practice of dental hygiene for utilization in skill development, radiographic interpretation, and client education.

Introduces the student to the results of local, as well as systemic conditions that have oral manifestations. The student will become familiar with the disease processes that impact patient care.

Presents the principles and assessment of oral health, dental hygiene care planning, treatment methods, and the preventive measures employed against dental disease. The course establishes the scientific principles of disease prevention and focus is on instrumentation techniques. An overview of dental specialties is also included.

Clinical application of principles and assessment of oral health, dental hygiene care planning, treatment methods, and preventive measures employed against dental disease. Student self-assessment of clinical skills is required.

A comprehensive approach to client assessment, education, care planning and evaluation of delivery of care is provided. The focus is on dental health science with an emphasis on the care of clients who are medically compromised. Utilizing case studies, the student will be required to undertake an evidenced-based decision-making process regarding delivery of care.

A comprehensive approach to client care including assessment, education, care planning, treatment methods and evaluation of delivery of care is provided. Client care is provided in a number clinical settings in Connecticut.

Provides an introduction to the basic concepts, methods, materials, technology, principles and practices in oral public health promotion and disease prevention. This course provides students with a broad understanding of the health care system and the social, political, cultural, behavioral and economic forces influencing that system. Students will be introduced to their role as a community health promoter through a variety of didactic and service-learning experiences.

Provides a continuation of Community Oral Health through the lens of civic engagement as it relates to public health. Principles of public health will be emphasized as it relates to oral health or overall health using a community-based process for health promotion and disease prevention both on campus and within the community. Students will assess historical knowledge of the evolution of the American health care systems as it relates to society and access to care. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate a civic engagement project as it relates to public health while applying research methodology.

Focus is on the recognition of clinical, biological, and histological characteristics of the periodontium classification of periodontal disease; the role of microorganism; the role of local factors in the etiology of periodontal disease; and the principles of therapy.

Acquaints dental hygiene students with medications used in modern dental practice. Focus is on various drugs, their modes of action, and their principal uses.

This course presents the basic science and dental science foundations of clinical local anesthesia in preparation for Connecticut State Certification for administration of local anesthesia by dental hygienists. Students will learn to perform safe, effective and proper techniques of intraoral pain control utilizing local anesthetic administration on a student-client partner. Emphasis is placed on client evaluation for predicting and preventing complications.

Presents a complete, comprehensive integration of the student's basic science and dental science education as it relates to the theory of assessment, education, treatment planning, delivery of care, and evaluation in the contemporary practice of dental hygiene.

Presents a complete, comprehensive integration of the student's basic science and dental science education as it relates to the clinical application of assessment, education, treatment planning, delivery of care, and evaluation in the contemporary practice of dental hygiene. Student self-assessment of clinical performance is required.