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Dental Hygiene Program
The need for dental care is universal, and the demand and opportunities for dental auxiliary personnel have increased rapidly in recent years. For more than three decades, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine has offered an educational program to meet this need. The comprehensive education in both the health sciences and clinical dental hygiene provided by the dental hygiene program prepares men and women of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds for exceptional career opportunities.
As professional members of the dental health team, dental hygienists are licensed to provide direct patient care. Their primary concern is prevention, recognition, and treatment of dental disease.
The dental hygiene program curriculum is designed to fulfill the professional and academic requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of Dental and Dental Auxiliary Programs. Completion of the program prepares the student for licensure as a dental hygienist in most states. Individuals interested in pursuing a baccalaureate degree may continue their education through the University's College of General Studies.
Admission Requirements
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Minimum grade point average of 2.25 at all academic institutions
Minimum of 900 Scholastic Achievement Test I score
Successful completion of a chemistry course with a lab component
Completed application, returned prior to March 1
Original transcripts from all academic institutions (high school and post-secondary) forwarded to the program
Three professional or personal references
Attendance at a dental hygiene applicant seminar
Personal interview with the Admissions Committee
Additional information may be obtained from the Director of the Dental Hygiene Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Suite B-23 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. Phone: (412) 648-8432. An application fee of $25 is required.
Curriculum
(All course offerings and sequencing are subject to change without notice.)
FIRST TERM
|
Course | Credits |
1110 Biological Sciences 1 | 3.0 |
1111 Survey of Chemistry | 3.0 |
1112 Introduction to Dental Hygiene | 3.0 |
1113 Introduction to Dentistry | 3.0 |
1114 Dental Anatomy | 2.0 |
1116 Dental Hygiene Practicum | 2.0 |
TOTAL 16.0
SECOND TERM
| 1241 Dental Hygiene Microbiology | 4.0 |
1242 Biological Sciences 2 | 3.0 |
1244 Communications | 3.0 |
1245 Radiology | 2.0 |
1246 Microbiology Laboratory | 0.0 |
1247 Dental Hygiene Seminar 1 | 1.0 |
1248 Dental Materials | 2.0 |
1249 Dental Hygiene Clinic 1 | 2.0 |
English Composition | 3.0 |
TOTAL 20.0
THIRD TERM
| 1370 Introduction to Clinical Periodontics | 0.0 |
1371 Biochemistry and Nutrition | 4.0 |
1372 General and Oral Pathology | 3.0 |
1373 Biological Sciences 3 | 3.0 |
1374 Anesthesia and Medical Emergencies | 2.0 |
1377 Dental Hygiene Seminar 2 | 1.0 |
1379 Dental Hygiene Clinic 2 | 3.0 |
TOTAL 16.0
FOURTH TERM
| 1411 Pharmacology | 2.0 |
1412 Public Health Dentistry | 3.0 |
1413 Methods of Teaching | 2.0 |
1414 Gerontology | 3.0 |
1416 Periodontics 1 | 0.0 |
1417 Dental Hygiene Seminar 3 | 1.0 |
1419 Dental Hygiene Clinic 3 | 5.0 |
TOTAL 16.0
FIFTH TERM
| 1541 Basic Psychology | 3.0 |
1542 Periodontics 2 | 3.0 |
1544 Introduction to Research Analysis | 3.0 |
1546 Teaching Practicum | 2.0 |
1547 Dental Hygiene Seminar 4 | 1.0 |
1549 Dental Hygiene Clinic 4 | 6.0
|
TOTAL 18.0
SIXTH TERM
| 1680 Ethics for the Health Care Professional | 3.0 |
1681 Sociology | 3.0 |
1689 Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene |
Practice | 0.0 |
TOTAL 6.0
Course Abstracts
DENHYG 1110, 1242, 1373 Biological Sciences I, II, III
These courses constitute a sequence in normal human anatomy, histology, and physiology. They begin with a discussion of the typical cell and progress to the four basic tissues and various organs and systems of the human body.
DENHYG 1111 Survey of Chemistry
The basic concepts of general and organic chemistry are explained. Examples from the health professions, with emphasis on dentistry, are used whenever possible.
DENHYG 1112 Introduction to Dental Hygiene
The goal of this course is to educate dental hygiene students to provide the highest quality instructional and clinical services to patients for the promotion of oral health. It is designed to utilize the four phases of patient care (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation).
DENHYG 1113 Introduction to Dentistry
Course provides an overview of the activities of each dental specialty. It also includes dental materials, dental charting, and emphasis on dental health education.
DENHYG 1114 Dental Anatomy
Designed to help students identify the normal structures within and supporting the oral cavity. The student will be able to identify normal formation of the teeth so that abnormalities can be noted and possible causes correlated.
DENHYG 1116 Dental Hygiene Practicum
Dental Hygiene Practicum is established as the preclinical time for students to observe, discuss, and practice the skills required to perform an oralprophylaxis.
ENGLISH COMPOSITION
Course considers the principles of composition. Emphasis is placed on clear writing and practical application as aids to developing writing skills. (placement test required to determine which course is to be taken)
DENHYG 1241 Microbiology
This lecture and laboratory course is divided into three major areas: microorganisms and their control; the host and the host's defense mechanisms; and the interaction of the microorganism and the host resulting in a stable relationship or in disease. The laboratory portion complements and reinforces the lectures.
DENHYG 1244 Communications
Increases the student's proficiency as a public speaker and includes theory and practice in research, organization, delivery, and criticism of speeches.
DENHYG 1245 Radiology
Didactic and preclinical exercises are designed to familiarize the dental hygiene student with the basic aspects of radiation biology, as well as with the technical procedures involved intro-oral and extra-oral radiology.
DENHYG 1247, 1377, 1417, 1547 Dental Hygiene Seminar I, II, III, IV
Courses are an extension of the Introduction to Dental Hygiene course. It focuses on the special needs of patients as well as the medically compromised patient.
DENHYG 1248 Dental Materials
Course introduces the dental hygiene student to the field of dental materials. Laboratory sessions give each student practical experience in the proper manipulation of these materials.
DENHYG 1249, 1379, 1419, 1549 Dental Hygiene Seminar I, II, III, IV
Courses are scheduled as clinical sessions in which students individually treat patients and utilize the skills necessary to perform an oral prophylaxis and to offer individual patient education.
DENHYG 1370, 1416, 1542 Periodontology
Course in Periodontics is designed to identify the healthy periodontium versus changing periodontium due to age and disease. It also addresses the dental hygienist's role in the clinical management of a periodontal patient.
DENHYG 1371 Principles of Biochemistry and Nutrition
Course will address how biomechanical concepts relate to structures in man. It will also include dietary and biochemical aspects of nutrition, basic principles of good nutrition, and how chronic and acute violations of these principles will contribute to the etiology and progression of oral disease.
DENHYG 1372 General and Oral Pathology
Course is designed to provide the dental hygiene student with as broad a background as possible in both general and systemic disease, as well as to place special emphasis on the oral manifestations of these conditions. Radiographic aspects of specific diseases are emphasized where appropriate.
DENHYG 1375 Anesthesia and Medical Emergencies
Provides an overview of the entire spectrum of current anesthetic techniques. Great emphasis is placed on the details of local anesthesia administration clinically relevant to the practicing dental hygienist. In addition, office medical emergencies and proper protocol are addressed.
DENHYG 1411 Dental Pharmacology
Provides dental hygiene students with the opportunity to become familiar with pharmacotherapeutics as utilized by all health professions. The therapeutic and adverse effects of the drugs are discussed.
DENHYG 1412 Public Health Dentistry
Prepares students to promote oral health and prevent dental diseases in the community through organized community-based programs versus the traditional clinical approach.
DENHYG 1413 Methods of Teaching
An introduction to classroom teaching for the dental hygienist. Emphasis is placed on preparation, implementation, and evaluation of lesson plans and the design and selection of effective audio-visual aids.
DENHYG 1414 Gerontology
Provides the dental hygiene student with an introduction to the phenomenon associated with our aging society. It will also familiarize the student with special needs of the elderly patient and how these needs impact the health care professionals of the future.
DENHYG 1541 Basic Psychology
Presents several of the most relevant topics in introductory psychology for the dental health care professional. Designed to help the students understand their own behavior, that of their patients and co-workers, and the interpersonal dynamics among these groups.
DENHYG 1544 Introduction to Research Analysis
Designed to instruct students in the important aspects of research in the health professions. It provides the statistical principles and critical thinking skills required to analyze and evaluate research articles.
DENHYG 1546 Teaching Practicum
A student teaching course for dental hygiene students. Students prepare lesson plans and conduct classroom instruction for students from preschool through high-school levels.
DENHYG 1680 Ethics for the Health Care Professional
Designed to introduce health care professionals to the principles of ethics. Various aspects of ethics will be discussed, including the decision-making process on which evaluation is based.
DENHYG 1681 Sociology
A systematic introduction to the field of sociology. It reviews various topics such as sociologic methods, theory, culture, deviance, political institutions, population, and urbanization.
DENHYG 1689 Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice
Designed to increase the proficiency and self-direction of the dental hygiene student. It will enable the student to develop further the fundamental skills needed to meet the patient management expectations of private practice.
DENHYG 0800 Special Work
An independent study for dental hygiene students wishing to pursue a special interest. Students will choose a topic of interest and, with a faculty member, will design and implement a project. The number of credits is determined by the degree of difficulty and work involved in the project.
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