Dental Hygiene (DH)

Courses

DH A200 Basic Instrumentation for Dental Hygienists 2 Credits

Introduces concepts of dental hygiene instrumentation. Includes practical application on typodonts and student partners, and competency examination.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval.

DH A201 Oral Histology and Embryology 2 Credits

Presents information on histology and embryology of the oral cavity, with emphasis on dental and periodontal structures.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: BIOL A112 with a minimum grade of C and BIOL A112L with a minimum grade of C.

DH A203 Assessment Procedures in Dental Hygiene 3 Credits

Introduces assessment procedures used in dental hygiene. Covers medical history information; medical emergencies; vital signs; extraoral and intraoral, periodontal, dental, and occlusal examinations. Includes application of lecture material to the clinical setting on student partners.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and current Basic Life Support certification

Prerequisites: DH A201 with a minimum grade of C and DH A204 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A204 Anatomy of the Orofacial Structures 2 Credits

Provides students with anatomical knowledge necessary to perform technical skills within the oral cavity.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: BIOL A112 with a minimum grade of C and BIOL A112L with a minimum grade of C.

DH A220 Introduction to Preventive Dentistry 2 Credits

Covers infection control policy and procedures used in dentistry. Introduces the dental conditions of caries and periodontal disease and methods used to prevent them.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: BIOL A240 with a minimum grade of C and BIOL A240L with a minimum grade of C.

DH A222 Adjunctive Techniques for Dental Hygienists 3 Credits

Introduces adjunctive techniques used in dental hygiene treatment. Emphasizes skills applied in the practice of dental hygiene, such as polishing, sealant placement, fluoride application and use of mechanized debridement.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and current Basic Life Support certification

Prerequisites: DA A200 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A292D Clinical Seminar I 1 Credit

Provides procedural instruction and general support for Clinical Practicum I. Continues discussion of special needs patient care from earlier coursework. Introduces interprofessional collaboration.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: DH A292E with a minimum grade of C.

Corequisites: DH A295D.

DH A292E Preclinical Seminar 1 Credit

Introduces topics and issues that arise in dental hygiene clinical practice. Provides opportunities for students to learn and practice interpersonal communication skills, including inter-professional communication, tobacco cessation discussion, and nutritional counseling that pertain to dentistry. Includes evidence-based dental hygiene theory, clinical documentation and patient management techniques.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

DH A295D Clinical Practicum I 4 Credits

Provides opportunity for students to achieve clinical skill competency with patients presenting with periodontal health or with signs of gingivitis. This course is conducted in a clinical setting with volunteer patients and individualized instruction.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, current Basic Life Support certification and immunizations

Prerequisites: DH A203 with a minimum grade of C and DH A222 with a minimum grade of C and DH A311 with a minimum grade of C.

Corequisites: DH A292D.

DH A302 Advanced Instrumentation for Dental Hygienists 1 Credit

Provides instruction in advanced instrumentation techniques and root planing used in dental hygiene therapeutic treatment. Explores root anatomy through drawings and carvings.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and current Basic Life Support certification

Prerequisites: DH A222 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A310 Oral Pain Control 3 Credits

Examines pharmacology, armamentarium, anatomical and physiological considerations, administration techniques, and potential complications of local anesthesia. Analyzes pharmacology, administration techniques, medical contraindications, and management of complications accompanying administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide.
Special Note: Satisfies requirements of 12 AAC 28.340, Alaska State Dental Statutes and eligibility to take the Western Regional Board Examination for certification of dental hygienists to administer local anesthetics. It also meets regulation requirements for dental hygienists to administer and monitor nitrous oxide analgesia (12 AAC 28.345).
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and current Basic Life Support certification

Prerequisites: DH A204 with a minimum grade of C and DH A295D with a minimum grade of C and DH A365 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A311 Periodontics 2 Credits

Uses previous knowledge of periodontal structures and microbiology to enable the student to assess periodontal conditions and formulate treatment plans.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: BIOL A240 with a minimum grade of C and BIOL A240L with a minimum grade of C and DH A201 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A314 Pathology of Oral Tissues 2 Credits

Applies and expands knowledge of anatomy and microbiology to familiarize the student with signs, symptoms, and contagion recognition of selected diseases of the oral cavity, and with systemic diseases that manifest themselves in the oral cavity.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: BIOL A240 with a minimum grade of C and BIOL A240L with a minimum grade of C and DH A201 with a minimum grade of C and DH A204 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A316 Professional Dental Hygiene Practice 1 Credit

Discusses ethical and legal concerns in the dental hygiene profession. Explores issues relevant to the practice of dental hygiene.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: DH A295D with a minimum grade of C.

DH A321 Current Periodontal Therapies 2 Credits

Emphasizes theoretical instruction and application of current nonsurgical techniques in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: DH A311 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A324 Community Dental Health I 2 Credits

Provides theoretical instruction on community dental health epidemiology, and discusses public health research methodology. Includes development and implementation of a basic community dental health care project.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: STAT A200 with a minimum grade of C or STAT A253 with a minimum grade of C.

DH A360 Restorative Techniques for Dental Auxiliaries 4 Credits

Builds on previous coursework to introduce restorative skills for allied dental personnel. Provides supervised laboratory instruction on typodonts, with initial emphasis on Class I and Class II restorations. Emphasizes Class III and IV and multiple-surface posterior restorations towards the end of the course. Applies restorative function skills in the clinical situation under direct supervision of clinical faculty.
Special Note: Satisfies requirements of 12 AAC 28.770 and 12 AAC 28.870, Alaska State Dental Statutes and eligibility to take the Western Regional Board Examination for certification of dental assistants and dental hygienists to perform restorative functions.
Registration Restrictions: Second year dental hygiene student, licensed dental hygienist, or certified dental assistant; current Basic Life Support certification; current immunizations; and department approval

Prerequisites: DA A160 with a minimum grade of C and (DA A150 with a minimum grade of C or DH A204 with a minimum grade of C).

DH A365 Pharmacology for Dental Hygienists 2 Credits

Presents general pharmacological concepts and applications; nature of drug reactions; individual response to drugs; principles of neuropharmacology; toxicology; anti-infective therapy; and effects of drugs on cardiovascular, endocrine, and other body systems. Emphasizes drugs used in dentistry.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: CHEM A104 with a minimum grade of C and CHEM A104L with a minimum grade of C.

DH A390 Selected Topics in Dental Hygiene 1-6 Credits

Studies emerging trends, standards, and theories in dental hygiene. Explores opportunities for clinical application.
Special Note: May be repeated for credit with a change of subtitle.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

DH A392C Clinical Seminar II 1 Credit

Provides discussion and evaluation of clinical experiences in Clinical Practicum II. Emphasizes review of treatment and case presentations.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: DH A295D with a minimum grade of C and DH A302 with a minimum grade of C and DH A321 with a minimum grade of C.

Corequisites: DH A395C.

DH A392D Clinical Seminar III 1 Credit

Provides discussion and evaluation of clinical experiences in Clinical Practicum III. Emphasizes review of treatment and case presentations of patients exhibiting Stage 2 to 3, Grade A or B periodontitis.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Prerequisites: DH A310 with a minimum grade of C and DH A395C with a minimum grade of C.

Corequisites: DH A395D.

DH A395C Clinical Practicum II 5 Credits

Provides opportunity for students to achieve clinical skill competency with patients presenting with Stage 1 to 2, Grade A or B periodontitis. Conducted in a clinical setting with volunteer patients and individualized instruction.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, current Basic Life Support certification and immunizations

Prerequisites: DH A295D with a minimum grade of C and DH A302 with a minimum grade of C.

Corequisites: DH A392C.

DH A395D Clinical Practicum III 6 Credits

Provides opportunity for students to achieve clinical skill competency with patients presenting with Stage 2 to 3, Grade A or B periodontitis. Conducted in a clinical setting with volunteer patients and individualized instruction.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, and current Basic Life Support certification and immunizations

Prerequisites: DH A310 with a minimum grade of C and DH A395C with a minimum grade of C.

Corequisites: DH A392D.

DH A395E Community Practicum in Dental Hygiene 1-3 Credits

Applies basic dental hygiene skills in the clinical situation under supervision of clinical faculty. Emphasizes care for patients with periodontal health or Stage 1 to 2, Grade A or B periodontitis.
Special Note: May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, current Basic Life Support certification and immunizations

Prerequisites: DH A295D with a minimum grade of C.

DH A395R Supplemental Dental Hygiene Clinical Practicum 1-3 Credits

Provides opportunity for students to obtain additional clinical experience outside required clinical courses. Allows students to improve and/or maintain skills. This course is conducted in a clinical setting with volunteer patients and individualized instruction.
Special Note: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

DH A398 Individual Research 1-4 Credits

Engages students in research related to dentistry. Activities might include literature search and review, experimental design, specimen collection, research techniques, data collection and analysis, and manuscript preparation and submission. Specific activities are dependent on the type and stage of research at the time of course enrollment.
Special Note: May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and junior or senior standing

Prerequisites: WRTG A211 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A212 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A213 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A214 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A2W with a minimum grade of C.

DH A424 Community Dental Health II 3 Credits

Presents advanced theoretical instruction on community dental health and research methodology, with emphasis on project design, development, and implementation for diverse populations.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and completion of Tier 1 GER courses

Prerequisites: DH A324 with a minimum grade of C and (STAT A200 with a minimum grade of C or STAT A253 with a minimum grade of C).

Attributes: UAA Integrative Capstone GER.

DH A495B Instructional Practicum in Dental Hygiene 1-4 Credits

Emphasizes practical teaching experience in laboratory or clinical sessions. Combines classroom preparation, presentation of material, competency assessment, and lecture correlation under the supervision of program faculty.
Special Note: Placement availability may be limited. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and instructor approval

Prerequisites: DH A321 with a minimum grade of C and DH A395C with a minimum grade of C.

DH A495E Rural Practicum in Dental Hygiene 1-3 Credits

Applies dental hygiene skills in the rural clinical situation under the supervision of clinical faculty. Emphasizes dental needs of rural communities.
Special Note: May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of DH A395D with a minimum grade of C; or Admission to the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene, current Basic Life Support certification and immunizations, and instructor approval