Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course will be offered in online format and will involve both group interactions and individual work.  Group learning, collaboration and teamwork will be utilized within the structure of the assignments.  Participation, inquiry and creativity are encouraged and welcome in the classroom.  Information and treatment modalities will be supported through clinical application and demonstrations. The determination for the need for sealants will discussed in DH 240.

Apply a thorough understanding of dental caries and fluoride therapies in order to determine when the placement of sealants is indicated.

Weekly discussions
Weekly quizzes
Completion of online continuing education courses
Completion of caroes risk assessment on patient
Completion of nutritional assessment on patient

Course Content (Themes, Concepts and Issues)

Dental decay is an infectious disease;
The emerging role of the dental hygienist detection and treatment;
The role of fluoride in preventing oral disease;
Caries etiology;
Caries Risk assessment;
Nutritional assessment;
The medical model for treatment of caries vs. operative model;
Caries detection devices;
Temporary restorations;
Identification of individuals/populations at risk for caries;
Prevention of oral disease;
Treatment of caries;

Competencies and Skills:
1. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the principles involved in the etiology and prevention of dental disease;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of fluoride and other plaque inhibiting agents and their benefit to the client.

3. Determine appropriate fluoride recommendations;
4. Demonstrate knowledge of caries preventive agents and OTC products;
5. Demonstrate an understanding of caries diagnosis and use of detection devices;
6. Explore the medical model of caries management including re-mineralization techniques;
7. Understand the difference between the medical model and the operative model in treatment modalities for caries; 
8. Demonstrate the ability to assess the risk factors contributing to dental caries using various models;

9. Understand and demonstrate the ability to assess the nutritional factors contributing to dental caries for an individual;'

10. Explore the emerging role of the dental hygienist regarding detection, prevention and treatment.