Dental Hygiene Courses | 2024-2025 Academic Catalog | SIU

The student will be introduced to the dental hygiene profession. Issues including patients' rights, professional ethics, the state practice act, health promotion, and communication will be presented. Learning styles, test-taking strategies, research applications, using resources, and writing styles will be included. Restricted to DH majors only and approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 1

The student will learn to recognize and identify the structures within the oral cavity. These include the tongue, salivary glands, lips and cheeks, and teeth (both permanent and primary). Length of course: 16 weeks, two hours of lecture weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 200, DH 206L, DH 207, DH 207C, DH 210, DH 210C, DH 218, DH 218L and DH 226. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

The student will learn to recognize and identify the structures within the oral cavity, including the tongue, salivary glands, lips and cheeks and teeth (both permanent and primary). Laboratory emphasis will be placed on tooth identification and tooth/root morphology to enhance the application of instrumentation techniques. Length of course: 16 weeks, two hours of lab weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 206. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 1

DH 207 is the lecture portion of the pre-clinical course which introduces the student to fundamentals of dental hygiene theory, foundational instrumentation techniques, infection control protocol, and clinical policies. Two hours of lecture weekly. Length of course: 16 weeks. Taken concurrently with DH 207C. Must be accepted into professional sequence. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

DH 207C is a pre-clinical course which introduces the student to hands-on experiences with the fundamentals of dental hygiene theory, foundational instrumentation techniques, infection control protocol, and clinical policies. Students must demonstrate clinical competence with various skills involving classmates, typodonts, clinical equipment, and clinical policies. Four hours of lab weekly. Length of course: 16 weeks. Taken concurrently with DH 207 lecture. Must be accepted into professional sequence. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. The sophomore cohort entering the professional sequence for dental hygiene are required to have specific instruments and supplies upon starting their first clinical semester. The instruments are used throughout the dental hygiene program beginning the sophomore year through graduation. This program fee of $1,700 is applied upon registration in DH 207C.

Credit Hours: 2

Patient assessment theories and techniques are taught to prepare the student to successfully recognize and record normal and abnormal intraoral and extraoral conditions. These assessment skills will be incorporated into treatment planning for individualized patient care. Lecture two hours. Length: 16 weeks. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

Patient assessment theories and techniques are taught to prepare the student to successfully recognize and record normal and abnormal intraoral and extraoral conditions. Clinic two hours. Length: 16 weeks. Concurrent enrollment required in DH 207, DH 207C and DH 210. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 1

The student will learn about medical conditions which may affect or alter the provision of oral care. Emphasis is on acquiring and evaluating the medical, dental and drug history and treatment of general system diseases. Modification of treatment plans will be discussed. Lecture two hours, sixteen weeks. Prerequisite: Microbiology 201.

Credit Hours: 2

The student is introduced to principles of radiation biology and protection, x-ray production, image formation, and intraoral radiographic techniques. Lecture two hours. Length of course: 16 weeks. Concurrent enrollment in DH 218L. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

The student is introduced to principles of radiation biology and protection, x-ray production, image formation, and intraoral radiographic techniques. Lab two hours. Length of course: 16 weeks. Concurrent enrollment in DH 218. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Lab fee: $99.

Credit Hours: 1

The student will learn special dental survey techniques including paralleling, bisecting angle, digital, occlusal and special views. The student will also identify anatomical landmarks and recognize normal and pathological conditions that appear on dental images. Lecture two hours. Course length: 16 weeks. Prerequisites: DH 218, DH 218L and DH 226 with grades of C or better. Concurrent enrollment in DH 219L. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

The student will learn special dental survey techniques including paralleling, bisecting angle, digital, occlusal and special views. The student will also identify anatomical landmarks and recognize normal and pathological conditions that appear on dental images. Laboratory two hours. Course length: 16 weeks. Prerequisites: DH 218, DH 218L, and DH 226 with a minimum grade of C. Concurrent enrollment in DH 219. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Lab fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 1

This course expands on theory and the clinical application of dental hygiene sciences. Includes introduction to dental hygiene clinic policies and procedures, professional conduct, patient assessment, clinical decision-making, treatment modalities, and care plan development. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills as applied to the provision of patient care. Lecture two hours. Length of course: 16 weeks. Prerequisites: DH 206, DH 206L, DH 207, DH 207C, DH 210, DH 210C, DH 218, DH 218L, DH 226 with grades of C or better. Concurrent enrollment required in DH 219, DH 219L and DH 220C. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

The student will apply knowledge and utilize techniques to assess the oral health status, plan and implement treatment, and evaluate outcomes related to improved oral health. The student will provide preventive, therapeutic, and educational services to clinical patients for the treatment and prevention of oral disease. Length of course: 16 weeks, eight hours of clinic weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 212, DH 219, DH 219L, DH 220, DH 233, DH 247, and DH 247L. Prerequisites: DH 200, DH 206, DH 206L, DH 207, DH 207C, DH 210, DH 210C, DH 218, DH 218L and DH 226 with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Lab fee: $275.

Credit Hours: 2

The goal of this course is for the dental hygiene student to acquire clinical problem solving skills through a basic understanding of the gross anatomy of the head and neck region of the human body. Through a regional approach to the head and neck, the student will be able to synthesize solutions to clinical problems by understanding the morphological and functional interrelationships of anatomical structures. 16 weeks. Two credit hours. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

The goal of this course is to enable the dental hygiene student to develop a basic understanding of the microscopic structure of the primary and dental tissue groups of the human body. This course also enables the student to relate embryonic development to the normal and abnormal structures of the head and oral cavity. This background will prepare the student to differentiate between normal and abnormal clinical manifestations in subsequent courses. 16 weeks. Two credit hours. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

The student will prepare for the role of oral health educator and consumer advocate. The dental hygiene process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation is applied for the prevention of oral disease. Length of course: 16 weeks, two hours of lecture weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 212, DH 219, DH 219L, DH 220, DH 233, and DH 247L. Prerequisites: DH 200, DH 206, DH 206L, DH 207, DH 207C, DH 210, DH 210C, DH 218, DH 218L and DH 226 with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

The student will prepare for the role of oral health educator and consumer advocate. The dental hygiene process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation is applied for the prevention of oral disease. Laboratory techniques for assessing disease processes will be applied. Length of course: 16 weeks, two hours of lab weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 212, DH 219, DH 219L, DH 220, DH 220C, DH 233, and DH 247. Prerequisites: DH 200, DH 206, DH 206L, DH 207, DH 207C, DH 210, DH 210C, DH 218, DH 218L and DH 226 with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Lab fee: $35.

Credit Hours: 1

An applied experience, service-oriented course in American diversity involving a group different from the student who elects the course. Difference can be manifested by things such as age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, political affiliation, race, or class. Satisfies the multicultural requirement in the University Core Curriculum.

Credit Hours: 3

Provides students with opportunity to develop a special program of studies to fit a particular need not met by other offerings. Enrollment provides access to resources of the facilities of the entire institution. Each student will work under the supervision of a sponsoring staff member. Restricted to DH majors.

Credit Hours: 1-16

Students will use research, discussions, and professional judgment to provide comprehensive dental hygiene treatment. This course will introduce power instrumentation techniques, patient management, professionalism, tobacco cessation, and nutritional counseling. Additional applications of patient management software will also be introduced. Length of course: 16 weeks, two hours of lecture weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 320C, DH 340, DH 341, and DH 349. Prerequisites: DH 220 and DH 220C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

This is the third course in a series of clinical courses that lead to the achievement of integrated objectives for clinical dental hygiene practice. The student is expected to continue to develop progressively in the application of clinical skills in order to provide preventive, nutritional, educational, and therapeutic services to the public. Information from basic sciences, dental science, and the behavioral sciences will be utilized to provide individualized client/patient care. The student will perform professional services of a dental hygienist on designated clinical clients/patients and is expected to demonstrate improvement of skills. The course will also provide a working knowledge of local anesthesia as applied to the practice of dental hygiene. Students will be provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to administer both maxillary (infiltration) and mandibular (block) injections proficiently and safely. Clinic: 8 hours. Length: 16 weeks. Must be taken concurrently with DH 320, DH 340, DH 341. Prerequisites: DH 219, DH 219L, DH 220, DH 220C with grades of C or better. Lab fee: $750.

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes an overview of various materials and procedures used in operative, endodontic, orthodontic and prosthetic dentistry. Emphasis is placed on the role of dental hygienists in explaining these procedures to clients/patients and in adapting dental hygiene services. One hour of lecture. Length: 16 weeks. Prerequisites: DH 320, DH 320C with grades of C or better. Concurrent enrollment in DH 322L required. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 1

Adjunctive procedures that augment operative care are taught in this laboratory. Two hours of lab. Length: 16 weeks. Prerequisites: DH 320, DH 320C with grades of C or better. Concurrent enrollment in DH 322 required. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Laboratory fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 1

This course is designed to teach the student about different drugs used in dentistry, the biochemical activity of each, and appropriate use, interactions with other drugs or systemic conditions, and some basic pharmacology terminology. Pharmacotherapeutics will be presented to the dental hygiene student in a meaningful, practical manner. Emphasis will be placed on clinical efforts, dosages, adverse effects and contraindications of drugs commonly prescribed in dentistry or which patients may be taking under direction of other health care providers or under self-direction. Information will be presented from a perspective including the pharmacological basis for drugs, the need for and use of a medical history and legal aspects related to these subjects. Prerequisites: DH 212, DH 220, DH 220C with grades of C or better. Corequisites: DH 320, DH 320C, DH 341.

Credit Hours: 3

The student will be introduced to identification, treatment, and prevention of pathological conditions that affect the periodontium. Includes assessment, diagnosis, and initial treatment of periodontal diseases. Emphasis will be placed on anatomy and histology of normal periodontal tissues, etiology of periodontal diseases and resulting tissue changes. Lecture 2 hours. Length of course: 16 weeks. Prerequisites: DH 212, DH 220, DH 220C, and DH 226 with grades of C or better, and concurrent enrollment in DH 320, DH 320C and DH 340 required.

Credit Hours: 2

(Same as RAD 345) This course focuses on the unique management issues involved in dental hygiene and dental offices. These problems include federal and state laws unique to dentistry and dental hygiene, and medical-legal issues of patient care. Best practices of practice management will be explored as applied to settings such as corporate dentistry, federally qualified health centers, government agencies, and privately owned dental practices. 16 weeks.

Credit Hours: 3

The student is introduced to the general principles of dental public health and community oral health and these principles will be applied through practical experiences. Programming phases of assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation are studied in detail. Lecture three hours. Length: 16 weeks. Prerequisites: DH 247, DH 247L with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only and approval from the School of Health Sciences or the DH program.

Credit Hours: 3

This course has been designed to integrate the knowledge of general and oral pathology into clinical care. Pathologic physiology, including tissue regeneration, the inflammatory process, immunology and wound healing will be emphasized. Special attention will be placed on common pathological conditions of the oral cavity and early recognition of these conditions. Length of course: 16 weeks, three hours of lecture weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 320, DH 320C, DH 340, and DH 341. Prerequisites: DH 220 and DH 220C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on dental anesthesia, comprehensive care plans, case studies and patient management. Length of course: 16 weeks, two hours of lecture weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 322, DH 322L, DH 347, DH 355C. Prerequisites: DH 320 and DH 320C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

his is the third clinical course in a series that leads to the achievement of specific objectives for the clinical dental hygiene practice. The student will maintain and develop clinical skills, preventive care and provide dental education to each patient they encounter. This care will also include successful treatment modalities, dental hygiene care planning and continuous care in a recall system. The student will provide comprehensive individualized treatment using all aspects of dental hygiene care in the clinical setting. Emphasis is on mastery of skills and techniques previously introduced. Eight hours of clinic. Must be taken concurrently with DH 355. Prerequisites: DH 320, DH 320C, DH 340, DH 341 with minimum grades of C. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Lab fee: $275.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as RAD 355) This course is designed to introduce the prospective dental hygiene educator to philosophies and strategies required to successfully instruct students in dental hygiene. Emphasis is on instruction and evaluation of didactic and clinical skills. Focus includes curriculum planning, curriculum development, curriculum implementation, curriculum evaluation, establishing and evaluating goals and objectives, and designing and delivering instruction for teaching psychomotor skills.

Credit Hours: 3

Review topics in dental hygiene to prepare candidates for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), required for dental hygiene licensure. This course includes interactive activities that will enable the student to obtain a deeper understanding of all topics on the exam, including scheduled sample exams on these topics, study strategies, and test taking skills. Length of course: 8 weeks, two hours of lecture weekly. Concurrent enrollment in DH 410, DH 417, DH 450C. Prerequisites: DH 441 and DH 441C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only.

Credit Hours: 1

The student will learn curriculum development, evaluation methods, theories of learning, and instructional strategies. The student will also prepare for the written national board examination. Not for graduate credit. Lecture two hours, practicum four hours. Prerequisites: DH 355, DH 355C with grades of C or better. Concurrent enrollment required in DH 441, DH 441C, DH 440, DH 401L. Restricted to DH majors only. Course fee: $100.

Credit Hours: 2

The student will participate in laboratory and clinical sessions emphasizing psychomotor development, feedback, and identification of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective behaviors, and faculty calibration. Length of course: 16 weeks, two hours of lab weekly. Practicum four hours. Concurrent enrollment in DH 401, DH 440, DH 441, DH 441C. Prerequisites: DH 355, DH 355C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

Ethical and legal issues related to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene are studied. Case situations are evaluated to determine principles of dental ethics and jurisprudence. Review and interpretation of dental practice acts and licensure requirements are included. The student integrates current knowledge of the dental hygiene field with additional information on employment issues, such as dental office procedures, resumes, career opportunities and staff relationships incorporating effective communication skills. Lecture two hours. Length: 16 weeks. Concurrent enrollment in DH 400, DH 417, and DH 450C. Prerequisites: DH 355 and DH 355C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 2

(Same as RAD 415) This course will introduce the student to the various mechanisms by which scholarly and professional research are conducted. These include quantitative and qualitative methodologies, historiographical, and a mixed methods approach. Prerequisite: DH 476.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum course) A comprehensive approach to special needs patients and diverse populations. Emphasis will be placed on an interdisciplinary collaborative care model intended to provide a comprehensive approach to oral healthcare. The oral health needs of rural, geriatric, minority, low-income, medically compromised, disabled and other special needs populations will be addressed. Lecture three hours. 16 weeks. Concurrent enrollment in DH 401, DH 401L, DH 441, DH 441C required. Prerequisite: DH 355 and DH 355C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only and approval from the School of Health Sciences or the DH program.

Credit Hours: 3

Students are exposed to different clinical experiences providing dental hygiene services to a variety of patient population groups. Not for graduate credit. Length of course: 16 weeks, twelve internship hours per week. Prerequisites: DH 355 and DH 355C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Laboratory fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 1-3

(Same as RAD 425A) The purpose of this course is to identify problems/issues within Dental Hygiene Education and Management and to present viable solutions to those problems/issues. Utilizing scholarly research and correlative research from other fields, the student will engage in integrated problem solving. This is an independent study course, conducted under the direction of a faculty member, and is a writing intensive course.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as RAD 425B) The purpose of this course is to identify problems/issues within Dental Hygiene Education and Management and to present viable solutions to those problems/issues. Utilizing scholarly research and correlative research from other fields, the student will engage in integrated problem solving. This is an independent study course, conducted under the direction of a faculty member, and is a writing intensive course.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as RAD 435) The purpose of this course is to identify problems/issues within Dental Hygiene Education and Management and to present viable solutions to those problems/issues. Utilizing scholarly research and correlative research from other fields, the student will engage in integrated problem solving. This is an independent study course, conducted under the direction of a faculty member, and is a writing intensive course.

Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces the fundamental principles of scientific inquiry, research methodology and basic statistical analysis needed to critically assess health research and determine potential clinical application. The student will learn the process of evidence-based decision making, research principles and design, and the critical analysis of research articles culminating in the creation of a critical review article and poster. Not for graduate credit. Co-requisites: DH 401, DH 401L, DH 441, DH 441C. Restricted to Dental Hygiene majors.

Credit Hours: 3

Didactic instruction will emphasize clinical application of patient management skills including comprehensive individualized treatment for complex periodontal patients. Emphasis will be placed on comprehensive evaluation, risk assessment, treatment planning, pain control, adjunctive antibiotic therapy, instrumentation, soft tissue management, evaluation and maintenance. Lecture three hours. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisites: DH 355, DH 355C with grades of C or better. Concurrent enrollment in DH 401, DH 401L, DH 440, DH 441C. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program.

Credit Hours: 3

The student will provide comprehensive individualized treatment for complex periodontal patients. Emphasis will be placed on clinical application of patient management skills including comprehensive evaluation, risk assessment, treatment planning, pain control, adjunctive antibiotic therapy, instrumentation, soft tissue management, evaluation and maintenance. Clinic twelve hours. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisites: DH 355, DH 355C with grades of C or better. Concurrent enrollment in DH 401, DH 401L, DH 440, DH 441. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Lab fee: $275.

Credit Hours: 3

This is the fifth and final clinical course in the clinical series. The student will provide comprehensive individualized treatment for complex periodontal patients. Emphasis will be placed on clinical application of patient management skills including comprehensive evaluation, risk assessment, treatment planning, pain control, adjunctive antibiotic therapy, instrumentation, soft tissue management, evaluation and maintenance. Clinic four hours. Not for graduate credit. Concurrent enrollment in DH 401, DH 401L and DH 441 required. Prerequisites: DH 441 and DH 441C with grades of C or better. Restricted to DH majors only or approval from the DH program. Lab fee: $275.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as RAD 476) This course requires the selection and investigation of a research topic culminating in a paper to satisfy the research requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Must have U.S.R.D.H. credentials. Prerequisite: DH 411. Restricted to SHeS major/minor or with consent of SHeS Academic Advisor.

Credit Hours: 4