Course Descriptions

DEN 110 - Dental Health Education
Emphasis is placed on the philosophies of education, communication skills and motivational techniques as they apply to individuals and group health education. Also included are planning, organizing and evaluating chair-side dental health education, methods of presentation, and use resource material. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C is required in this course to continue in the program for DEN students.

DEN 111 - Dental Radiography I
An introduction to physics and biology of radiation; radiation hygiene; equipment and materials; film exposure and processing, technique and chemistry. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C is required in this course to continue in the program for DEN students and a C- for DAS students.

DEN 112 - Oral Anatomy and Physiology I
This course includes anatomical identification of and discussion of function of the structures of the oral cavity and the surrounding landmarks of the face and head. Clinical application will be discussed concerning occlusion, anesthesia, mastication, radiographic interpretation, and identification of variations in anatomy. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C is required in this course to continue in the program for DEN students and a C- for DAS students.

DEN 113 - Barrier Precautions and Infection Control Measures
Focuses on the scientifically accepted principles and practices of infection control. This course will provide the student with the core elements on infection control and barrier precautions. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C is required in this course to continue in the program for DEN students and a C- for DAS students.

DEN 114 - Dental Hygiene I
An introduction to dental and dental hygiene practice; basic concepts, methods materials and techniques of dental hygiene care. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C is required in this course to continue in the program for DEN students.

DEN 115 - Clinical Dental Hygiene I
Emphasis in this course is placed on the practical application of dental hygiene care. Students will be required to be a partner for technique practice. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C is required in this course to continue in the program for DEN students.

DEN 121 - Dental Radiography II
Continuation of DEN 111. Anatomical landmarks; deviations from normal; evaluation of radiographs. Extra and intraoral projections. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C is required in this course to continue in the program for DEN students and a C- for DAS students.

DEN 122 - Oral Anatomy and Physiology II
This course will study the embryologic development of the face, oral cavity and the teeth and histologic structure of the teeth and oral tissues, and review developmental conditions and anomalies related to dental and oral structures. Function and variations in function will be review as well as the clinical significance and application of knowledge to patient evaluation and treatment. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 123 - Oral Pathology I
A brief introduction to principles of general pathology and inflammation. Students will learn to identify and describe normal and abnormal oral soft tissue lesions. Emphasis will be on pathology of oral mucosa, dental tissues and related structures. Developmental anomalies of teeth and anatomical variation of oral soft tissues will be studied; also systemic diseases and their oral manifestations. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 124 - Dental Hygiene II
This course continues to build knowledge for dental hygiene care, treatment planning, and case management. 1 Credit.

DEN 125 - Clinical Dental Hygiene II
The beginning level of clinical patient care utilizing primary level skills in patient histories, exams, patient education, treatment, planning, and record keeping. Students are required to recruit patients in order to meet clinical requirements. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite: BIO 134 or BIO 142, and successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 129 - Periodontics I
This course begins with a brief review of normal periodontal anatomy and physiology. Classification of periodontal diseases will be discussed with emphasis on plaque induced periodontal diseases. Examination, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and management of patients with these types of periodontal diseases is included. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 211 - Dental Materials
This course includes a study of the physical and chemical properties, manipulation of and uses for the most commonly used dental materials. A lecture component will present background information about the dental materials and a laboratory component will present the practical application for each material (demonstration and lab practice). 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 212 - Community Dentistry I
This course will provide the student with knowledge regarding the foundation of community dentistry and its role in society. Students will explore the primary fields involved in assessing and improving the public's dental health, including epidemiology and biostatistics. In addition, students will gain experience in evaluating scholarly dental literature. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 213 - Oral Pathology II
This course is a continuation of study of pathology or oral mucosa, dental tissues and related structures. Students will view images of oral/facial lesions and answer related questions. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 214 - Dental Hygiene III
The focus of this course is on advanced techniques for comprehensive dental hygiene care. Emphasis is placed on case study to help student prepare for the Dental Hygiene National Board. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 215 - Clinical Dental Hygiene III
Course emphasis will be on comprehensive patient care and treatment planning. Course includes radiographic evaluation. A continuation of clinical skill development begun in DEN 125. Students are required to recruit patients in order to meet clinical requirements. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 216 - Dental Therapeutics I
Systematic approach to general principles of pharmacology. Study of commonly used agents in dentistry, drugs used in specific medical conditions, and drugs used in management of medical emergencies. Introduction to newer drugs and new effects of old drugs. Brief discussion on controlled drugs and drug abuse. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 217 - Dental Specialties
This course examines the essential components, clinical procedures performed, and armamentarium (instruments/equipment) used in the various dental specialties. Students will learn the interactive roles of each dental team member in the practice of the dental specialties. Introduction to the clinical advances and new trends in dentistry is included. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 219 - Periodontics II
This course is a continuation of study of periodontal diseases. It covers pathogenesis of diseases, critical analysis of patient assessments, current treatment modalities, and rationale for the same. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 222 - Community Dentistry II
This course will provide the student with knowledge regarding the assessment of community dental health needs, particularly through the use of dental indices and biostatistical measures. Students will explore the methods of oral health promotion, disease prevention, and program planning. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 224 - Dental Hygiene IV
Review of the history of dental hygiene. Course focus will be on ethics, jurisprudence, current issues and trends in dental hygiene. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 225 - Clinical Dental Hygiene IV
Improvement of clinical skills developed in DEN 215. Students will continue to develop advanced clinical skills, comprehensive dental hygiene treatment plan, total patient care and supportive periodontal treatment (SPT). Course includes radiographic evaluation. Students are required to recruit patients in order to meet clinical requirements. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 226 - Dental Therapeutics II
Continuation of study of drugs significant to dental practice. Emphasis will be on evaluation and dental management of medically compromised patients with special attention to their medications and drug interactions. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 228 - Dental Office Management and Business Practice
This course will help prepare the dental studies student for the job market, and will emphasize dental office practice management and job seeking skills. 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 229 - Periodontics III
Various periodontal surgical procedures will be reviewed in this course. Students will learn pre and post care of periodontal patients, post surgical complications, and latest advances in periodontal diagnostics/treatment. Diagnosis and management concepts of various periodontal diseases will be discussed through case-studies format. Students will write a "Perio Paper" (Writing Intensive Course). 1 Credit.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters DEN courses with a grade of C or better.

DEN 290 - Independent Study
See the Department Chairperson. Variable Credit.