The student will be able to:

1. Collect and analyze dental hygiene assessment data on diverse patient populations in the clinical setting.
2. Develop patient-centered dental hygiene treatment plans that ensure patients' individual needs are understood and respected.
3. Implement compassionate, evidence-based dental hygiene care for diverse patient populations in the clinical setting.
4. Evaluate dental hygiene treatment outcomes for patients in the clinical setting and make appropriate recommendations for continuing plans.
5. Develop patient-centered oral health education plans based on assessment data and patient values.
6. Demonstrate infection control and hazardous waste management practices that are in compliance with the Minimum Standards and OSHA regulations.
7. Apply the legal and ethical principles of dental hygiene practice to the delivery of patient care in the clinical setting.
8. Apply constructive feedback to develop self-assessment skills that lead to clinical competency.

1. Dental hygiene assessment data (Lec and Lab)
   1. Assessment data
      1. Relevant medical and dental information
      2. Extraoral and intraoral examination findings
      3. Periodontal examination
      4. Caries examination and dental charting
      5. Risk assessments
         1. Periodontal risk using evidence-based applications, radiographs, periodontal examination, bacterial testing, and patient interview
         2. Caries risk using evidence-based applications, radiographs, caries examination findings, patient interview, and saliva testing
         3. Oral cancer risk using evidence-based applications, extra/intraoral examination findings, and patient interview
      6. Dietary information
      7. Current oral hygiene habits
   2. Consultation with medical/dental professionals
2. Dental hygiene treatment planning (Lec and Lab)
   1. Treatment recommendations based on the patient's individual needs
      1. Comprehensive dental hygiene treatment plans
      2. Individualized goals and treatment outcomes
      3. Oral hygiene instructions
      4. Dental hygiene care by appointment
   2. Faculty consultation
      1. Appropriate medical/dental referrals
      2. Development of professional communication skills
3. Dental hygiene treatment procedures (Lec and Lab)
   1. Preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene procedures
      1. Complete removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque biofilm, stains, and the smoothing of unattached surfaces
         1. Non-surgical periodontal therapy
         2. Gingival scaling
         3. Periodontal maintenance
         4. Prophylaxis
      2. Pain control procedures
         1. Topical anesthesia and non-injectable anesthetics
         2. Local anesthesia
         3. Nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia
   2. Adjunctive dental hygiene procedures
      1. Selective coronal polishing
      2. Dentinal desensitization treatments
      3. Pit and fissure sealants
      4. Topical fluoride treatments
      5. Locally delivered antimicrobials
      6. Soft tissue curettage
      7. Interim therapeutic restorations
   3. Post-operative instructions
   4. Instrument care and maintenance
      1. Sharpening techniques
   5. Emergency management
   6. Rotation duties
      1. Screener
      2. Radiology lab
   7. Time management strategies
4. Evaluation of dental hygiene treatment (Lec and Lab)
   1. Evaluation of healing following treatment
      1. Identification of clinical parameters to assess healing
   2. Re-evaluation appointments
   3. Recare intervals
   4. Dental referrals
5. Oral health education strategies (Lec and Lab)
   1. Oral hygiene education
      1. Patient-centered strategies
      2. Patient values
      3. Patient motivation
      4. Manual dexterity
   2. Nutritional counseling including dietary analysis
   3. Educational techniques/methodologies, and learning styles/preferences appropriate throughout the lifespan
6. Infection and hazard control protocols (Lec and Lab)
   1. Infection control procedure for disinfection of the dental operatory and sterilization of instruments
   2. Prevention of cross contamination
   3. Duties of sterilizer
   4. Equipment maintenance, spore testing, and quality control records
7. Law, ethics, and professionalism (Lec and Lab)
   1. Accurate and detailed patient records
   2. Patient confidentiality and HIPAA regulations
   3. Delivery of respectful and culturally competent care
   4. Professional conduct when interacting with patients, faculty, and peers

1. Dental hygiene clinical practice: Students assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating dental hygiene care on a diverse range of patients across the lifespan in a clinical setting
2. Dental hygiene students participate in the following as part of their clinical dental hygiene experiences:
   1. Dental unit preparation, patient chart review, and faculty huddle before clinic session begins
   2. Post-appointment one-on-one faculty/students consultations
   3. One-on-one student/clinic coordinator conferences for dental chart audits and review of clinic requirements
   4. Off campus clinical rotations

Examinations: students must achieve a grade of 75% or higher
1. Test Case Examination with moderate to heavy calculus
2. Manikin Mock Board Examination
Clinic competencies:
1. Periodontal probing with grade of 84% or higher
2. Instrument sharpening competency with grade of 90% or higher
3. Oral hygiene instruction competency with grade of 85% or higher
Clinic requirements:
1. Complete dental hygiene care on a minimum of 14 patients
2. Complete a patient competency project with grade of 83%

Lecture
Laboratory
Clinical instruction

Bowen, D., and J. Pieren. Darby and Walsh Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice, 6th ed.. 2024.

Nield-Gehrig. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation, 8th ed.. 2019.

Nield-Gehrig, J., D. Shin, and D. Willman. Foundations of Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist, 5th ed.. 2019.

Wynn, R., T. Meiler, and H. Crossley. Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry, 29th ed.. 2024.

Chan, P., and J. Leicht. Foothill College Dental Hygiene Policy Manual. 2024.

Chan, P., J. Leicht, and P. Staana. Foothill College Dental Hygiene Clinic Manual. 2024.

1. Write a 5-7 page research/reflection report on a patient treated in the clinic for competency and complete all required assignments and paperwork for competency project.
2. Reading assignments (weekly) in the clinic manual, textbooks, evidence based scholarly research articles as a means for being prepared to deliver dental hygiene care to clinical patients.
3. Write reflections on two of the four DH program competencies in the e-portfolio.
4. Document assessment findings, treatment plans, dental hygiene treatment entries, referrals, and in the patient electronic charts for patients seen in the clinic each week.
5. Complete a clinical case study assignment by analyzing assessment data.