60 Dental Hygiene Dental Hygiene Program Director: Kathleen M. Lukken Professor: Reed M. Stringham, Jr.; Associate Professors: Michael P. Bott, Kathleen Lukken, Robert C. Soderberg; Assistant Professor: Sarah Toevs; Instructor: Fran M. Stoeckl; Adjunct Faculty: (see faculty listings). Description Dental hygiene is a comparatively new profession and plays an important role in the field of health services. The dental hygienist is a health educator concerned with the prevention of dental disease. Dental hygienists perform their services under the supervision of licensed dentists, and the only members of the dental auxiliary team who are licensed to perform a service directly on the patient. As a member of the dental health team in a dental office, dental hygienists remove deposits and stains from the teeth, expose and develop x-rays, apply topical fluoride, take impressions of teeth for study models and instruct patients in correct brushing and flossing procedures, dietary analysis and nutritional counseling. Dental hygienists in public health conduct educational programs for school children and community agencies; develop media for use and distribution; consult with other health agencies; and provide treatment in health department clinics. Employment in dental hygiene education involves instructing students in the theory and clinical skills essential for dental hygiene practice. Education The dental hygiene curriculum is three years in length. The first year may be completed at any accredited college or university and consists of pre-dental hygiene courses. These courses include: Chemistry, Anatomy or Physiology, Microbiology, Physics, English, Speech, Psychology, Sociology, Nutrition and CPR. Students enrolled in Weber State College may partially complete the basic science requirements by enrolling in the Biomedical core courses. This year of pre-dental hygiene courses is followed by two years of specialized study in dental hygiene. Student clinical experiences are scheduled in the Dental Hygiene Clinic at Weber State College, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City, and in local private dental offices. Students who successfully complete the three-year curriculum are awarded an Associate of Science Degree from Weber State College. A fourth year leading to a bachelor degree is optional. The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. To become a licensed dental hygienist, each student must successfully pass a written National Board Exam and a practical state exam. Application Procedure To be eligible for acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program a student must; 1: Make application to Weber State College. 2: Complete a year of pre-dental hygiene courses. 3: Submit all college transcripts. 4: Submit ACT scores. 5: Take the Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test given at the Testing Center on the Weber State College Campus. 6: Complete a dental hygiene application form, physical exam form, and two personal reference forms. The application deadline for fall quarter enrollment is March 25 of each year. Employment Outlook Graduates of two or three-year programs are generally limited to private dental office practice. Hygienists with a bachelor degree may work in private practice, most public health positions, and some dental hygiene teaching positions. Education at the Master's level prepares the hygienist for advanced positions in teaching, administration, and public health. Employment opportunities in any of these areas are good. Related Careers Related careers include employment in hospitals, schools, local and state health departments, and dental hygiene educational programs. Program: Dental Hygiene-Associate of Science Degree General Requirements: Specific course requirements of the college (see index). The state requirement in American History, Government, and Economics does not need to be completed. General Education requirements (see index). Biomedical core and the other required courses listed below will help satisfy General Education requirements. An overall GPA or 2.00 or C is required. 126 total hours required. Specific Requirements: Biomedical core (15 credit hours) or acceptable equivalent* (20 credit hours) required: Hthsci 111 (5), 112 (5), 113 (5), plus 3 hours minimum each in the Life and Physical Science areas. Dental Science courses required (82 credit hours): Densci 201 (4), 203 (4), 205 (4), 206 (2), 207 (3), 208 (1), 210 (1), 211 (4), 212 (1), 214 (1), 215 (5), 216 (3), 217 (3), 219 (1), 220 (1), 226 (3), 227 (3), 235 (4), 301 (2), 302 (1), 305 (2), 311 (2), 312 (3), 320 (1), 321 (3), 336 (5), 337 (2), 346 (5), 347 (2), 356 (5), 357 (2). Dental Science elective: Densci 283 (1-3), 292 (1-6), 313 (1-3), 405 (5), 410 (3), 480 (1-5), 483 (1-5), 489 (1-9), 492 (1-6), 499 (1-3) Support courses required (36 credit hours): Hthsci 120 (3), 230 (4); Resthy 140 (2); Psych 101 (5), 215 (5), 335 (2); Soclgy 101 (5); Commun 102 (3), 360 (2); Educ 362 (2); Chfam 101 (3). *Acceptable equivalent: Phsx 101 (5), Zool 201 (5) or 405 (5), Micro 111 (5), and Chem 111 (5). 61 Dental Hygiene Dental Science Courses 201. Dental Anatomy (4) Tooth morphology, functional and postitional relationship of the teeth within the dentition. 203. Oral Anatomy, Embryology and Histology (4) Development of the structures of the oral cavity. Study of oral cavity tissues. Demonstration on the preparation of slides. 205. Head and Neck Anatomy (4) Identification of major anatomical landmarks of head and neck, their innervation, blood supply and function. 206. Clinical Dental Hygiene I (2) Clinical application of principles of Densci 207 Dental Hygiene I. Must accompany Densci 207. Two three-hour labs each week. 207. Dental Hygiene I (3) Theory essential to performing clinical prophylaxes, including, but not limited to, armamentarium, patient-operator positioning, aseptic technique, soft tissue exam, patient history, principles of instrumentation and control therapy. Must accompany Densci 206. 208. Radiology I (1) Preparatory Skills for clinical radiology. Includes lecture material on x-ray safety and exposure techniques. Must accompany Densci 210. 210. Clinical Radiology I (1) Clinicalapplication of Densci 208. Must accompany Densci 208. One three-hour lab each week. 211. Oral Pathology (4) Manifestations of disease processes in the oral cavity. 212. Radiology II (1) Principles of radiographic exposure of intraoral films and radiographic interpretation. Must accompany Densci 214. Prerequisites: Densci 208, 210. 214. Clinical Radiology II (1) Clinical application of Densci 212. Lab must accompany Densci 212. One three-hour lab each week. Prerequisites: Densci 208, 210. 215. Periodontology (5) Periodontal structures and their disease processes, proper therapeutic techniques. 216. Clinical Dental Hygiene II (3) Clinical application of Densci 217. Lab must accompany Densci 217. Two four-hour labs each week. Prerequisites: Densci 206, 207. 217. Dental Hygiene II (3) Continuation of Dental Hygiene I. Didactic instruction for intermediate skills in oral prophylaxis. Must accompany Densci 216. Prerequsites: Densci 206, 207. 219. Dental Materials (1) Identification of materials used in dental office procedures. Must accompany Densci 220. 220. Dental Materials Lab (1) Manipulation of dental materials. Lab must accompany Densci 219. One three hour lab each week. 226. Clinical Dental Hygiene III (3) Clinical application of Densci 227. Lab must accompany Densci 227. Two four- hour labs each week. Prerequisite: Densci 216, 217. 227. Dental Hygiene III (3) Continuation of Dental Hygiene I and II. Didactic instruction for intermediate skills in oral prophylaxis, radiographic interpretation and science and practice of dental nutrition. Must accompany Densci 226. Prerequisite: Densci 216, 217. 235. Dental Medicine I (4) Common medical problems of dental patients and their treatment. 283. Directed Readings, Projects and Research (1-3) Limited to dental hygiene majors. A maximum of nine hours may be accumulated with this course. 292. Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes and Special Programs (1 -6) In order to provide flexibility and to meet many different needs a number of specific offerings are possible using this catalog number. When the number is used it will be accompanied by a brief and specific descriptive title. The specific title with the credit authorized for the particular offering will appear on the student transcript. 301. Community Dental Health I (2) Principles of dental public health, including epidemiology, sociological concepts of health and illness, health behavior, public attitudes and principles of dental health education. Must accompany Densci 302. 302. Community Dental Health I Lab (1) Field projects in selected community agencies. Must accompany Densci 301. One three hour lab each week. 305. Dental Medicine II (2) Material on local anesthesia with regard to pharmacology, administration techniques, methods of pain and apprehension control. Prerequisite: Densci 235. 311. Community Dental Health II (2) Continuation of Dental Science 301 and 302; and material on health care delivery systems, health manpower and public health programs and personnel. Must accompany Densci 312. Prerequisite: Densci 301, 302. 312. Community Dental Health II Lab (3) Field projects to include independent study with sample selections, hypothesis testing, utilizing didactic instruction from Psychology 215. Lab which must accompany Densci 311. One nine-hour lab each week. Prerequisite: Densci 301, 302. 313. Independent Study (1-3) Independent project in the area of interest, second year dental hygiene students only. Project approval by dental hygiene staff. 320. Dental Hygiene Externship (1) Seminar on private office topics. Must accompany Densci 321. Prerequisite: Densci 226. 321. Dental Hygiene Externship Lab (3) Private office experience for students in their final year of training. Must accompany Densci 320. Prerequisite: Densci 226. 336. Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (5) Clinical lab which must accompany Densci 337. Two eight-hour labs each week. Prerequisite: Densci 226, 227. 337. Dental Hygiene IV (2) Continuation of Dental Hygiene I, II, and III including root planing, soft tissue curretage, amalgam polishing, and enamel sealants. Must accompany Densci 336. Prerequisite: Densci 226, 227. 346. Clinical Dental Hygiene V (5) Clinical lab which must accompany Densci 347. Two eight-hour labs each week. Prerequisite: Densci 336, 337. 347. Dental Hygiene V (2) Continuation of Dental Hygiene I, II, III, and IV. Didactic instruction to include occlusal evaluation and behavior modification techniques. Must accompany Densci 346. Prerequisite: Densci 336, 337. 356. Clinical Dental Hygiene VI (5) Clinical lab which must accompany Densci 357. Two eight-hour labs each week. Prerequisite: Densci 346, 347. 357. Dental Hygiene VI (2) Continuation of Dental Hygiene I, II, III, IV, and V including dental jurisprudence and ethics, job interviews, and office management. Must accompany Densci 356. Prerequisite: Densci 346, 347. 405. Dental Hygiene Clinical Teaching Practice (5) Supervised teaching in the WSC Dental Hygiene Program. Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor and acceptance into the BSAHS program. 410. Dental Hygiene Needs of the Geriatric Parent (3) An overview of dental health needs of elderly patients. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and acceptance into the BSAHS program. 480. Individual Research (15) Individual projects for Baccalaureate-level dental hygiene students with approval of instructor. Maximum of 5 hours applied toward graduation. 483. Directed Readings (1-5) Assigned readings for Baccalaureate-level dental hygiene students with approval of instructor. Maximum of 5 hours applied toward major. 489. Cooperative Work Experience (1-9) On-the-job experience for Baccalaureate-level dental hygiene students with input from student, program and a suitable employer. Evaluation of course will be shared between employer, student and program. Maximum of 9 hours applied toward graduation. 492. Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes and Special Programs (1-6) In order to provide flixibility and to meet many different needs, a number of specific offerings are possible using this catalog number. When the number is used it will be accompanied by a brief and specific descriptive title, the specific title with the credit authorized for the particular offering will appear on the student transcript. 499. Seminar (1-3) Current concepts in dental hygiene for Baccalaureate level dental hygiene students. Maximum 3 credits applied toward graduation.