Course Description

Effective: 2019-05-01

General Course Purpose

This course will expand the dental hygiene student's knowledge of his/her role in dental hygiene practices and working with special patient groups such as hospitalized and chronically ill patients, patients with physical and mental disabilities, pregnant patients and patients with systemic disorders.

Course Objectives

• Identify oral conditions caused by or resulting from disabling conditions
• Describe procedures and factors that contribute to safe and successful dental hygiene treatment for individuals with disabilities
• Describe the causes of sensory impairments
• Identify factors that affect interpersonal communication and patient education with sensory impairment
• Plan and document adaptations that enhance dental hygiene care for a patient with a sensory impairment
• Identify the dimensions, intellectual functioning levels, risk factors, and etiologies associated with developmental disorders
• Describe the specific characteristics of individuals with an intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and autistic spectrum disorders
• Plan and document modifications necessary for dental hygiene care and effective oral hygiene instruction for persons with developmental or behavioral disorders
• Describe the characteristics, complications, occurrence, and medical treatment of a variety of physical impairments
• Identify oral factors and findings related to physical impairments
• Plan and document modifications for dental hygiene care based on assessment of needs that are specific to a patient's physical impairment
• Describe the symptoms, treatment, and oral implications of a variety of psychiatric and mood disorders
• Plan and document dental hygiene care and oral health education for a patient with a psychiatric disorder
• Identify physical and behavioral factors associated with alcohol and drug use
• Describe health-related effects of alcohol and drug use, abuse, and withdrawal
• Identify risk factors for oral disease in children
• Discuss the role of the dental hygienist in providing early oral care intervention
• Discuss anticipatory guidance for parents of infants and toddlers
• Explain tooth development and eruption patterns
• Use knowledge of specific oral health issues, child management techniques, caries management by risk assessment and clinical procedures to plan dental hygiene care and oral health education for infants/toddlers and their parents
• Identify and define key terms and concepts related to oral/facial clefts
• Identify prenatal risk factors and developmental time frame for oral/facial clefts
• Describe treatment for oral/facial clefts
• Use knowledge of the oral, physical, and personal characteristics of the patient to plan and document dental hygiene care and oral hygiene instructions
• Identify physical, general health, and oral health changes that are characteristic of aging
• Describe the effects of osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease on oral health status
• Plan and document dental hygiene interventions and health education approaches that enhance the oral health of the elderly patient
• Prepare materials necessary for visiting a homebound patient
• Plan and document adaptations to dental hygiene care plans and oral hygiene instructions for the homebound patient
• Identify potential adverse effects of dental prostheses on oral tissues
• Plan and document dental hygiene interventions that address patient needs before and after insertion of a denture
• Become familiar with Microsoft Office applications of Word and PowerPoint
• Utilize PowerPoint application to produce a case study presentation
• Utilize Word to report on research and interview of a Health Professional
• Utilize internet video upload of patient education scenarios
• Email digital radiographs utilizing dental software
• Review dental codes utilized in electronic filling of dental insurance claims

Major Topics to be Included

• The Patient with a Disability
• The Patient with a Sensory Impairment
• The Patient with a Developmental or Behavior Disorder
• The Patient with a Physical Impairment
• The Patient with a Psychiatric Disorder
• The Patient with a Substance Related Disorder
• Pediatric Oral Health Care Infancy through Age 5
• The Patient with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate
• The Older Adult Patient
• The Patient that is Homebound
• The Edentulous Patient