Health Science Education

Dental Practices CPU Objectives

Activity 1: Introduction

1-1. Discuss dentistry as a health care field.
1-2. Explore three major careers associated with the dental field.
1-3. Discuss the responsibilities, education, and licensure requirements for each career.
1-4. Examine the eight dental specialties and licensure requirements for a general dentist.
1-5. Research laws pertaining to dentistry for the state in which the student lives.
1-6. Write a brief report about a chosen career field.

Activity 2: Anatomy

2-1. Discuss the anatomical position.
2-2. Identify anatomical planes.
2-3. Identify organizational levels of the body.
2-4. Discuss body systems.
2-5. Discuss the importance of teeth.
2-6. Identify the major components of the oral cavity.
2-7. Discuss dentition.
2-8. Identify the four types of teeth.
2-9. Identify tooth surfaces.
2-10. Identify and discuss the anatomy of a tooth.
2-11. Use the dental manikin to identify the four types of teeth.
2-12. Label tissues and surfaces of a tooth.

Activity 3: Charting

3-1. Discuss how to chart missing teeth.
3-2. Discuss dental caries.
3-3. Discuss how to chart lesions.
3-4. Discuss dental arches.
3-5. Discuss anterior and posterior teeth.
3-6. Discuss tooth numbering systems.
3-7. Perform a basic assessment/charting of the dental manikin.
3-8. Identify the primary and permanent dentitions using the Universal National System, ISO/FDI System, and Palmer Notation System.

Activity 4: Data Collection

4-1. Identify and discuss components of patient records.
4-2. Discuss HIPAA.
4-3. Discuss the importance of hygiene assessment.
4-4. Identify components of a personal profile assessment.
4-5. Identify the four major vital signs.
4-6. Identify common medical emergencies in the dental setting.
4-7. Practice proper procedures for registering a new patient.

Activity 5: Dental Exam

5-1. Identify roles and responsibilities of OSHA.
5-2. Discuss OSHA's bloodborne pathogen standard.
5-3. Discuss universal and standard precautions.
5-4. Identify types of personal protective equipment.
5-5. Discuss pre-cleaning and disinfection procedures.
5-6. Discuss surface barriers.
5-7. Discuss proper handwashing techniques.
5-8. Identify equipment in a dental treatment area.
5-9. Identify categories of dental instruments.
5-10. Identify types of hand instruments.
5-11. Identify proper steps for admitting a patient.
5-12. Identify dental chair positions.
5-13. Discuss the extraoral exam.
5-14. Discuss components of the dental exam.
5-15. Practice proper handwashing techniques.
5-16. Practice proper procedures for donning and removing personal protective equipment.
5-17. Conduct a dental exam using the dental manikin.

Activity 6: Preventative Dentistry

6-1. Identify the three factors considered in the oral hygiene evaluation.
6-2. Discuss the relationship between plaque and gum disease, periodontal disease, and tooth decay.
6-3. Conduct a plaque detection experiment.
6-4. Discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques.
6-5. Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic stains of the teeth.
6-6. Develop a presentation on oral hygiene.

Activity 7: Radiographs

7-1. Define x-ray and radiograph.
7-2. Discuss how radiographs are used in the field of dentistry.
7-3. Identify types of radiographs and their uses.
7-4. Discuss processes involved in developing x-ray film.
7-5. Identify safety issues surrounding radiation exposure.
7-6. Use an x-ray viewer to view bitewing radiographs.

Activity 8: Bacterial Growth

8-1. Discuss pathogens and disease.
8-2. Discuss the chain of infection.
8-3. Identify the relationship between bacterial growth in the mouth and the development of dental caries.
8-4. Conduct a bacteria culture test.

Activity 9: Dental Impressions

9-1. Identify the physical and chemical properties of alginate.
9-2. Discuss the factors that influence the stability of alginate.
9-3. Explain how dental impressions are used in the dental field.
9-4. Identify the correct procedures for mixing alginate, loading alginate trays, and taking alginate impressions.
9-5. Discuss the field of forensic odontology.
9-6. Discuss different aspects prevalent to the impression process.
9-7. Practice mixing alginate, loading alginate trays, and taking alginate impressions using a typodont.

Activity 10: Post-Test and Wrap-Up

10-1. Complete the Post-Test.

Activity 11: Bonus Activites

11-1. Complete a crossword puzzle and a vocabulary quiz.

Activity 12: Challenge

12-1. Continue practice using dental software.

Activity 13: Open-Ended Challenge

13-1. Discuss HOSA and the various competitions related to dentistry.
13-2. Complete an activity similar to a HOSA competitive event.

Activity 14: Careers

14-1. Research the certification, materials, and cost of becoming a dental hygienist in the area in which the student lives.
14-2. Write a brief report based on the research.

Activity 15: Job Shadow

15-1. Perform a job shadow of a dental hygienist OR
15-2. Research and write a brief report about new technology in the field of dentistry.