DHYG 3703 - Dental Hygiene 3
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41169,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Suzanne Smith
Email: smsmith05@ysu.edu
Course Description
TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING EXPERIENCES
A. Lecture with PowerPoint Presentations
B. Study guides for each lecture
C. Online Continuing Education Courses on dentalcare.com and colgateprofessional.com
D. Evidence-Based Decision-Making Worksheets and PPT Template
E. Bonebox Dental App and Hands-on instrumentation practice on typodonts
F. Student PowerPoint Presentations
COURSE OUTLINE
A. Course Introduction - Syllabus (1 hour)
B. Advanced Techniques for Root Instrumentation (3 hours)
1. Root instrumentation
a. Anatomical features
b. Attachment loss
2. Advanced fulcrum techniques
a. Intraoral
b. Extraoral
c. Advantages
d. Disadvantages
3. Strokes
a. Horizontal
b. Vertical
c. Oblique
d. Activation (Wrist rock vs. digital activation)
C. Powered Instrument Design and Function (3 hours)
- Powered Instrumentation
a. Role
b. Technological advances
c. Sonic vs. ultrasonic devices
d. Instrument tip selection
e. Technique
f. Maintenance
g. Limitations
- Considerations for periodontal debridement
a. Medical and dental contraindications
b. Infection control
D. Subgingival Calculus Removal (2 hours)
- Detecting subgingival deposits (the importance of tactile sensitivity)
- Inserting a curet beneath the gingival margin
- Theoretical concepts of subgingival instrumentation
- A systematic stroke/calculus removal pattern
- Production of a calculus removal stroke and sequence of strokes
E. Evidence-Based Decision-Making (18 hours)
- Evidence-based Dental Hygiene Practice
- Definition
- Purpose
- Need
- Process
- Intervention
- Evidence-based Research
- Systematic approach
- Publication and research types
- Levels of evidence
- Ethics
3. Internet-Based health information
a. Literacy
b. Content analysis
4. Plan treatment for patients
5. Evidence-based Dental Hygiene Practice Presentations
F. Advanced Probing Techniques (3 hours)
- Uses of probes
a. Periodontal assessment
b. Documenting oral deviations
- Attachment of teeth
a. Health
b. Disease
- Assessment of tooth mobility
a. Rationale
b. Mobility rating scale
- Furcations
a. Involvement
b. Documentation
G. Specialized Periodontal Instruments (3 hours)
1. Characteristics of root morphology
2. Curets
a. Universal
b. Area Specific Curets
c. Modified Universal Curets
3. Specialized root instruments
a. Langer Curets
b. Vision Curvette
c. Quetian
d. O’Hehir
e. Diamond-coated
f. Dental endoscope
H. Concepts and Techniques for Instrument Sharpening (2 hours)
- Advanced sharpening techniques
- Benefits of using instruments with sharp cutting edges
- Important design characteristics to be maintained
a. Sickle scalers
b. Universal curets
c. Area-specific curets
- Common sharpening errors
- Infection control procedures
- Care of equipment
I. Dental Implants (2 hours)
- Concepts, technology, and terminology
- Maintenance of dental implants in the clinical setting
- Implant instruments
- Dental implant problems, complications, and failures
J. Air-polishing for Biofilm Management (2 hours)
- Powders used for air polishing
- Supragingival vs. subgingival air polishing
- Medical and dental contraindications
- Technique for supra- and subgingival air polishing
K. Communication and Planning for Success/Fictitious Patient Cases (2 hours)
- Concepts of periodontal instrumentation
a. Objectives
b. Rationale
c. Terminology
d. Informed Consent
- Appointment planning for calculus removal
a. Instrument selection
b. Plan for use
- Patient cases
- Difficulties in instrumentation
a. Most common instrumentation problems
b. Solutions for the most common instrumentation problems
L. The Patient Who Uses Tobacco (2 hours)
- The impact of tobacco use on health
- Tobacco cessation strategies
- Dental hygiene care for the patient who uses tobacco
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Wilkin's Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, 14th Ed. | Boyd, L.D. & Mallonee, L.F. | 9781284255997 |
| Required | Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation & Advanced Root Instrumentation, 9th Ed. | Gehrig, J., Sroda, R. & Saccuzzo, D. | 978-1284019339 |
| Required | Patient Assessment Tutorials: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Dental Hygienist, 4th Ed. | Gehrig, J. | 978-1284240924 |
| Required | Evidence-Based Dentistry – Why Do I Need That? (1 CEU; #625) | Dentalcare.com | |
| Required | Advanced Instrumentation for the General Practice Dental Hygienist. (2 CEU; #569) | Dentalcare.com | |
| Required | Tobacco 101: A Guide to Working with Nicotine Addicted Patients (3 CEU; #534) | Dentalcare.com | |
| Required | Implant Maintenance for Long Term Success (1 CEU) | Colgateprofessional.com |
- To search for the colgateprofessional.com self-study continuing education course, use "Filters" for:
- Type: On-Demand Webinar
- Topic: Implantology: Author: V. Thomas Eshraghi
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Tentative Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8/24 | Syllabus Instrumentation: pp. 75; 112-113; 219-222; 533-541 | Course Introduction Instrument Grasp, Finger Rests & Fulcrums, & Movement and Orientation to Tooth Surface (Wrist rock vs. digital activation) | Study Guide |
| Wed | 8/26 | Gehrig Module 21, pp. 521-532 & 542-561 Wilkins pp. 648-649 | Advanced Techniques for Root Instrumentation (Introduction to horizontal strokes | Study Guide |
| Mon | 8/31 | Gehrig, Module 26 Wilkins, pp. 655-660 | Powered Instrument Design and Function | Study Guide |
| Wed | 9/2 | Gehrig, Module 26 Wilkins, pp. 655-660 | Powered Instrument Design and Function | Study Guide |
| Mon | 9/7 | No Class | ||
| Wed | 9/9 | Gehrig, Module 16 | Technique Essentials: Subgingival Calculus Removal – compare: a. Gracey 13/14 & Columbia 13/14 b. original posterior Graceys (11/12 & 13/14) to new posterior Graceys (15/16 & 17/18) | Study Guide; Prepare for Quiz 1 |
| Mon | 9/14 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 Dentalcare.com CE course #625 | Quiz 1 – Wk. 1-3 Study Guides Evidence-Based DH Practice: Introduction PICO Practice Question | Study Guide; CE Certificate #625 Due Upload to Blackboard |
| Wed | 9/16 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 Distribute Topics/Case Studies for EBDM Assignment/Presentations | Evidence-Based DH Practice: Research Design & Levels of Evidence | Study Guide |
| Mon | 9/21 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 | Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice: Research Design & Levels of Evidence Research Design – Practice Questions | Study Guide; Worksheet #1 Due, PICO Process |
| Wed | 9/23 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 | Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice: Finding the Evidence/Database Searches | Study Guide Prepare for Midterm Exam |
| Mon | 9/28 | All Week 1-5 Readings/Study Guides and dentalcare.com CE course #625 | Midterm Exam – Weeks 1-5 Study Guides | Midterm Exam Contact Prof. Smith to schedule remediation if below 77% or to review the midterm exam |
| Wed | 9/30 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 | Evidence-Based DH Practice: Evaluating Information and the Elements of a Research Report | Study Guide |
| Mon | 10/5 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 | Evidence-Based DH Practice: Critical Appraisal, Credible Sources & The CRAAP Tool | Study Guide |
| Wed | 10/7 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 | Evidence-Based DH Practice: Application of the Evidence to Practice & Evaluating Performance (Connecting PICO Questions, Research Types, Levels of Evidence & Outcomes) | Study Guide Worksheet #2 Due - Searching Methods |
| Mon | 10/12 | Wilkins, Ch. 2 | Practice Activity: Critical Appraisal of Sources for PICO Question | Review APA References & Examples of Research Terminology Prepare for Quiz 2 |
| Wed | 10/14 | Gehrig, Instrumentation: Module 18 | Quiz 2: Wks. 6-8 Advanced Probing Techniques | Study Guide |
| Mon | 10/19 | Gehrig, Mod. 18 Dentrix: “compare” feature & charting PD only vs. full perio chart at cont. care or perio maintenance appts. | Advanced Probing Techniques, continued & Review Dentrix Perio Chart | Study Guide Practice CAL and Width of Attached Gingiva Worksheets |
| Wed | 10/21 | Gehrig, Instrumentation: Module 20 Dentalcare.com CE course #569 | Specialized Periodontal Instruments | Study Guide; CE Certificate #569 Upload to Blackboard; Worksheet #3 Due - CRAAP test for the main source used to answer background questions |
| Mon | 10/26 | Gehrig, Instrumentation: Module 20 | Specialized Periodontal Instruments, cont'd. | Study Guide |
| Wed | 10/28 | Gehrig, Instrumentation Module 20B (online) Wilkins, Ch. 31; Colgateprofessional.com CE Course - Implants | Dental Implants | Study Guide; Implant CE Certificate Upload to Blackboard; Worksheet #4 Due - CRAAP test for Article #1 used to answer PICO question |
| Mon | 11/2 | Gehrig, Instrumentation Module 27 Wilkins, pp. 739-741 | Air Polishing for Biofilm Management | Study Guide; Prepare for Quiz 3 |
| Wed | 11/4 | Gehrig, Instrumentation: Modules 23-24 Wilkins, Ch. 38 | Quiz 3: Wks. 8-11; Instrument Sharpening Hu-Friedy Sidekick | Study Guide; Worksheet #5 Due - CRAAP test for Article #2 used to answer PICO question |
| Mon | 11/9 | Gehrig, Instrumentation: Modules 23-24 Wilkins, Ch. 38 | Instrument Sharpening, Other Devices | Study Guide |
| Wed | 11/11 | No Class | ||
| Mon | 11/16 | Gehrig, Instrumentation: Modules 22 Appendix | Calculus Removal: Concepts, Planning, and Patient Care/ Fictitious Patient Cases: Communication & Planning for Success; Problem Identification: Difficulties in Instrumentation | Study Guide; Worksheet #6 Due - CRAAP test for Article #3 used to answer PICO question |
| Wed | 11/18 | Gehrig, Assess. Tutorials Module 11; Dentalcare.com CE course #534 | Tobacco Cessation, The 5 A's & the 5 R's | Study Guide; CE Certificate #534 Upload to Blackboard; All EBDM Worksheets must be uploaded to Blackboard |
| Mon | 11/23 | Weeks 11 – 13 and 3 CE courses (Advanced Instrumentation, Implants, and Tobacco) | Quiz 4: Wks. 11-13 and 3 CE courses Tobacco Cessation using Motivational Interviewing | Study Guide; All CE Certificates must be uploaded to BB |
| Wed | 11/25 | No Class | ||
| Mon | 11/30 | None | EBDM Presentations: Groups 1-4 | EBDM PPT Due; Presentation must be uploaded to Blackboard by 10:00 am – All Groups |
| Wed | 12/2 | None | EBDM Presentation: Groups 5-8 | None |
| Mon | 12/7 | Comprehensive of all Week 1-15 Class Readings | Final Examination 10 am -12 pm | Final Exam |
| Wed | 12/9 | No Class |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.