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UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAM IN DENTAL HYGIENE
COMPETENCIES
INTRODUCTION
The University of Tennessee, Memphis strives to create a learning
environment in which each dental hygiene graduate is instilled with the
knowledge, skills and values to provide dental hygiene care to patients,
along with a sense of responsibility to self, the community and the profession.
The curriculum for dental hygiene students provides a hierarchical progression
of knowledge and skills as demonstrated by competencies that reflect the
interdependence of biological, behavioral and clinical sciences.
The competencies set forth in this document are the abilities required
by the new dental hygiene graduate to begin dental hygiene practice. These
competencies must be supported by a working knowledge of basic biomedical
and clinical sciences, by cognitive and psychomotor skills and by professional
and ethical values. Competencies are globally encompassing, serving as
guides for the undergraduate dental hygiene education.
| Dental Hygiene Patient Care
Competencies |
| 1. |
Graduates must be competent
in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult,
geriatric and medically compromised patient. |
| 2. |
Graduates must be competent
in providing the dental hygiene process
of care which includes:
Assessment
The systematic collection and analysis of the following data to
identify patient needs and oral health problems.
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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
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medical and dental histories
vital signs
extra/intra-oral examinations
periodontal and dental examination
radiographs
indices
risk assessments (i.e., tobacco, systemic, caries)
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Planning
The establishment of realistic goals and treatment strategies to facilitate
optimal oral health. |
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a.
b.
c.
d.
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dental hygiene diagnosis
dental hygiene treatment plan
informed consent
dental hygiene case presentation |
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Implementation
Provision of treatment as identified in the assessment and planning
phase. |
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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
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infection control
periodontal debridement and scaling
pain management
application of chemotherapeutic agents
fluoride therapy
application of pit and fissure sealants
coronal polishing
care of oral prostheses
care and maintenance of restorations
health education and preventive counseling
nutritional counseling |
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Evaluation
Measurement of the extent to which goals identified in the treatment
plan were achieved. |
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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
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indices
reevaluation of oral and periodontal health status
subsequent treatment needs
continuing care (recall)
referral
patient satisfaction |
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| 3. |
Graduates must be competent in providing
dental hygiene care for all types of classifications of periodontal
disease including patients who exhibit moderate to severe periodontal
disease. |
| 4. |
Graduates must be competent in interpersonal
and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population
groups. |
| 5. |
Graduates must be competent in assessing,
planning, implementing and evaluating community-based oral health
programs including health promotion and disease prevention activities. |
| 6. |
Graduates must be competent in providing
appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may
be encountered in dental hygiene practice. |
| 7. |
Graduates must be competent in applying
ethical, legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support
of oral health care services. |
| 8. |
Graduates must be competent in the
application of self-assessment skills to prepare them for life-long
learning. |
| 9. |
Graduates must be competent in the evaluation
of current scientific literature. |
| 10. |
Graduates must be competent in problem
solving strategies related to
comprehensive patient care and management of patients. |
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