Dental Hygiene Degree (DH13)  Degree

(Prerequisite: None) This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/technical program of study. Topics include: Computer Applications/Technology Skills, Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communication Skills, and Career Exploration.

(Prerequisite: Regular Admission) (Co-Requisites: BIOL 2113L, ENGL 1101) Introduces the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the development of a systemic perspective of anatomical structures and physiological processes. Topics include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous and sensory systems.

(Prerequisite: Regular Admission) (Co-Requisites: BIOL 2113, ENGL 1101) Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2113. The laboratory exercises for this course include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous sensory systems.

(Prerequisite: BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L) (Co-Requisites: BIOL 2114L) Continues the study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

(Prerequisite: BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L) (Co-Requisites: BIOL 2114) Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2114. The laboratory exercises for this course include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

(Prerequisite: BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L OR BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L) (Co-Requisites: BIOL 2117L) Provides students with a foundation in basic microbiology with emphasis on infectious disease. Topics include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, microorganisms and human disease.

(Prerequisite: BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L OR BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L) (Co-Requisites: BIOL 2117) Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2117. The laboratory exercises for this course include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, and microorganisms and human disease.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) Provides the student with a thorough knowledge of external and internal morphological characteristics of human primary and secondary dentition. Also introduces the student to various tooth identification systems, classifications of occlusion and dental anomalies. Topics include: oral cavity anatomy, dental terminology, external and internal tooth anatomy, tooth nomenclature and numbering systems, individual tooth and root morphology, occlusion and dental anomalies.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) Focuses on the study of cells and tissues of the human body with emphasis on those tissues that compose the head, neck, and oral cavity. Topics include: cellular structure and organelles, histology of epithelium, histology of the connective tissue, histology of muscle tissue, histology of nerve tissue, histology of oral mucosa and orofacial structures, embryological development of the head and neck, tooth development, and development of tooth supporting structures.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) Focuses on anatomy of the head and neck. Emphasis is placed on those structures directly affected by the practice of dentistry. Topics include: terminology, anatomic landmarks, osteology of the skull, temporomandibular joint, muscles of mastication, muscles of facial expression, nervous system, blood supply of head and neck, lymphatic system and immunology, endocrine and exocrine glands of the head and neck, nasal and paranasal sinuses, facial spaces and the spread of dental infections, and anatomy concerning local anesthesia.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) Focuses on the nature, qualities, composition and manipulation of materials used in dentistry. The primary goal of this course is to enhance the student's ability to make clinical judgments regarding the use and care of dental materials based on how these materials react in the oral environment. Topics include: dental materials standards, dental materials properties, impression materials, gypsum products, mouth guards and whitening systems, dental bases, liners and cements, temporary restorations, classifications for restorative dentistry, direct restorative materials, indirect restorative materials, polishing procedures for dental restorations, removable dental prostheses, sealants, and implants.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) (Co-requisite: DHYG 1050) Provides fundamental skills to be utilized in the delivery of optimum patient care by the dental hygienist. Topics include: patient assessment, instrumentation, charting, occlusion, caries, emergencies, ethics and professionalism, asepsis, and patient and clinician positioning.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) (Co-requisite: DHYG 1040) Provides fundamental skills to be utilized in the delivery of optimum patient care by the dental hygienist. Topics include: asepsis, ethics and professionalism, emergencies, patient assessment, patient and clinician positioning, instrumentation, charting, occlusion and caries.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) (Co-requisite: DHYG 1020) Emphasizes the application of radiology principles in the study of the teeth and their surrounding structures. Topics include: radiation physics principles, radiation biology, radiation safety, radiographic quality assurance, imaging theory, radiographic interpretation, radiographic need, legal issues of dental radiography, and digital radiography techniques and principles.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) (Co-requisite: DHYG 1020) Emphasizes the application of radiology principles in the study of the teeth and their surrounding structures. Topics include: radiation safety, radiographic quality assurance, imaging theory, radiographic interpretation, radiographic need, and digital radiography principles and techniques.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 1040) (Co-requisite: DHYG 1111) Continues the development of knowledge in patient care. Topics include: prevention, instrumentation, patient management, dental appliances, and treatment planning.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 1050) (Co-requisite: DHYG 1110) Continues the development of knowledge in patient care. Topics include: prevention, instrumentation, patient management, dental appliances, treatment planning, and applied techniques.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) Introduces principles of basic pharmacology as they pertain to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. Emphasizes actions and reactions of medications commonly used in the dental office or taken by dental patients. Topics include: pharmaceutical referencing, legal and ethical considerations, drug effects, contraindications, drug related emergencies, dental related anesthesia, and pain control.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 1070, DHYG 1110) (Co-requisite: DHYG 2020) Continues the development of student knowledge in treating patients and preventing oral disease. Topics include: instrument sharpening, patient assessment, antimicrobial use, pulp vitality testing, treatment of hypersensitivity, whitening, implant care, tobacco cessation, pit and fissure sealants, scaling, debridement and rootplaning, ultrasonics and air polishing and dietary analysis.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 1070, DHYG 1090, DHYG 1111) (Co-requisite: DHYG 2010) Continues the development of student knowledge in treating patients and preventing oral disease. Topics include: instrument sharpening, patient assessment, antimicrobial use, pulp vitality testing, treatment of hypersensitivity, whitening, implant care, tobacco cessation, pit and fissure sealants, scaling, debridement and root planning, ultrasonics and air polishing, dietary analysis, and applied techniques.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 1010, DHYG 1020) Introduces pathology as a specialty of dentistry and includes the etiology, pathogenesis, and recognition of various pathological conditions. Emphasis is placed on oral and paraoral pathology and systemic conditions affecting the head and neck. Topics include: terminology and biopsy procedures, inflammation, repair, and regeneration, soft tissue and dental anomalies, pathogenesis of caries and pulpal pathology, cysts and tumors of the head and neck, systemic conditions that affect the oral structures, infectious diseases, diseases of the salivary glands, diseases of bone, blood dyscrasias, vesiculo-erosive and autoimmune diseases, and genetic diseases and syndromes of the head and neck.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 1110) Provides students with a broad understanding of the healthcare system and an objective view of the significant social, political, psychological, and economic forces directing the system. Prepares students to promote oral health and prevent oral disease in a community, by meeting specific dental health needs of community groups. Topics include: epidemiology, community dental care assessment, community dental care provision, preventive counseling for groups, group oral health education, terminology, dental care systems, biostatistics, and concepts of dental research.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 2010) (Co-requisites: DHYG 2090) Continues the development of student knowledge necessary for treatment and prevention of oral diseases. Topics include: treatment of patients with special needs.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 2020) (Co-requisites: DHYG 2080) Continues the development of student skills necessary for treatment and prevention of oral disease. Topics include: special needs patients and applied techniques.

(Prerequisite: Program admission) Provides a basic introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. Familiarizes students with the role of nutrition in the human body with an emphasis on the dental hygienist's role as a nutritional educator. Topics include: molecular structure, carbohydrates, proteins, nutrition and digestion, bioenergetics, nutritional aspects, nutritional disorders, and diet assessment.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 2080) (Co-requisites: DHYG 2140) Focuses on the dental hygiene field and presents the fundamental concepts and principles necessary for successful participation in the dental profession. Topics include: employability skills, State of Georgia Dental Practice Act, office management, expanded duties, legal aspects, ethics, dental hygiene practice settings, and dentistry and dental hygiene regulation.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 2090) (Co-requisites: DHYG 2130) Continues the development of student skills necessary for treatment and prevention of oral disease. Topics include: applied techniques and time management.

(Prerequisite: DHYG 1010) Provides fundamental information on periodontal anatomy, pathogenesis of the periodontal diseases, and an introduction to modern rational periodontal therapy, including, preventative, non-surgical, and surgical methods. Topics include: tissues of the periodontium, periodontal pathology, periodontal diseases, assessment and treatment planning, periodontal disease therapy, and periodontal emergencies.