Course Descriptions

DES 1020C Dental Anatomy

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to the hard and soft tissues of the human oral cavity and the appropriate examination of each tissue. Also included is the specific morphology of all human teeth and the study of Angle’s classification of occlusion.

DES 1020L Dental Anatomy Laboratory

Course Description: This is a mandatory laboratory that accompanies DES 1020C. This course is designed to give the student hands on experience with hard and soft tissue of the human oral cavity including gingiva, oral structures and angle’s classification or occlusion.

DES 1010 Head and Neck Anatomy

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to the in depth study of the head and neck areas that include skeletal support, blood supply, the muscular structures, nerve intervention, glandular system, tempromandibular joint and the spread of infection.

DES 1200C Dental Radiography

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to the fundamental background and theory necessary for safe and effective use of radiographs in dentistry. It includes the history of radiology, production and uses of radiation, dental x-ray films and their uses, exposure techniques, mounting techniques, interpretation of radiographs and radiation safety.

DES 1200L Dental Radiology Laboratory

Course Description: This is a mandatory laboratory that accompanies DES 1200C.

DEH 1002C Introduction to Clinical Procedures

Course Description: This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge of the basic principles of instrumentation, instrument design and their use, and the fundament skills necessary to provide comprehensive dental hygiene service.

DEH 1002L Introduction to Clinical Procedures Laboratory

Course Description: This clinical practice course is designed for the dental hygiene student to clinically apply the principles and concepts of dental hygiene care developed in DEH 1002C. Students will master basic instrumentation skills and dental hygiene procedures on manikins and students partners in preparation for patient care in the Spring.

DEH 1720 Preventive Dentistry

Course Description: This course is designed to broaden the dental hygiene student’s knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention and the use of oral physiotherapy adjuncts to achieve optimum dental health.

DEH 1000 Introduction to Dental Hygiene

Course Description: This course is designed as an introduction to dentistry and the dental hygiene profession and provides the basic introductory knowledge required to provide comprehensive preventive dental health services for patients.

DES 1100C Dental Materials

Course Description: This class and laboratory course is designed to introduce the dental hygiene student to the basic physical and chemical properties of dental materials with special emphasis on their clinical application. Included will be the influence and effects of manipulation and oral environment on the clinical performance of dental materials.

DES 1100L Dental Materials Laboratory

Course Description: This is a mandatory laboratory that accompanies DES 1100C. This class and laboratory course is designed to introduce the dental hygiene student to the basic physical and chemical properties of dental materials with special emphasis on their clinical application. Included will be the influence and effects of manipulation and oral environment on the clinical performance of dental materials.

DEH 1130 Oral Embryology & Histology

Course Description: This course introduces the student to a comprehensive study of the embryonic development of the tissues and cells that comprise the specific anatomical structures of the face and oral cavity.

DEH 1800C Clinical Dental Hygiene I

Course Description: This course is designed to further enhance the student's knowledge of dental hygiene practice with the introduction of adjunct dental hygiene procedures and to provide clinical experience in total patient care. Emphasis is placed on basic principles and concepts of current dental hygiene services and refinement of preclinical instrumentation. Patient education, the dental hygiene process of care and basic radiography are introduced.

DEH 1800L Clinical Dental Hygiene I Laboratory

Course Description: This is a mandatory laboratory that accompanies DEH 1800C. This course is designed to provide clinical experience for the dental hygiene student in total patient care. Emphasis is placed on basic principles and concepts of current dental hygiene services, refinement of pre-clinic instrumentation, patient education, treatment planning and radiology. 

DEH 2822 Dental Office Emergencies

Course Description: This course is designed to develop the dental hygiene student’s skill to plan for, identify and manage a medical emergency in the dental office, including those in conjunction with the administration of local anesthesia. Also included is the specific protocol for the management of a medical emergency in the SCF Dental Hygiene Clinic. 

DEH 2802C Clinical Dental Hygiene II

Course Description: This course is designed to provide the dental hygiene student with the knowledge and understanding of dental hygiene care for special needs patients. The course also introduces the dental hygiene student to the theory and techniques of several procedures that will continue to expand the student's knowledge and ability to perform total patient care and the use of the ultrasonic scaler and air polisher.

DEH 2802L Clinical Dental Hygiene II Laboratory

Course Description:  This is a mandatory laboratory that accompanies DEH 2802C. This course will provide ongoing clinical experiences for the dental hygiene student in total patient care. Emphasis is placed on instrumentation, radiographic skills, patient education and dental hygiene process of care planning. Incorporation of new treatment modes including sealants, study models, and ultrasonic scalers and air polishing will be encouraged. 

DEH 2602 Periodontology

DEH 2300 Pharmacology and Pain Control

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to the origin, physical and chemical properties, preparation, modes of administration and effects on the body's systems of commonly prescribed drugs that may require an alteration of dental hygiene treatment and the drugs and anesthesia which are used in dentistry.

DEH 2400 General & Oral Pathology

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the dental hygiene student to the principles of pathology and its relationship to the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Emphasis is placed on the importance of early recognition of subtle changes in the oral tissue by the dental hygienist. 

DEH 2804C Clinical Dental Hygiene III

Course Description: This course is designed to provide ongoing clinical experiences for the dental hygiene student in total patient care. Emphasis is placed on incorporation of professional decision-making and increasing quality care. Expanded functions in dental hygiene are included.

DEH 2804L Dental Hygiene Clinic III Laboratory

Course Description: This is a mandatory laboratory that accompanies DEH 2804C. This course is designed to provide ongoing clinical experiences for the dental hygiene student in total patient care. Emphasis is placed on incorporation of professional decision making and increasing quality of care. Expanded functions and dental hygiene care for patients with special needs will be included.

DEH 2702C Community Dental Health

DEH 2806C Clinical Dental Hygiene IV

Course Description: This course incorporates a discussion of ethical and legal issues, professional organizations, the Florida State Dental Practice Act and continuing education regulations and requirements. Dental office management procedures and the business and professional skills necessary to practice in a dental office and alternate practice settings are discussed. Methods of preparation for the National Board Examination are reviewed.

DEH 2806L Clinical Dental Hygiene IV Laboratory

Course Description: This is a mandatory laboratory that accompanies DEH 2806C. This course is designed to provide clinical experiences for the dental hygiene student to incorporate all of the techniques and treatment modes previously acquired into total patient care. Emphasis is placed on increasing speed and quality of care, professional decision making skills and improving technical skills.

DEH 2900 Dental Hygiene Competency Review

Course Description: 1-3hours of didactic instruction per week or 4-12 hours per week of clinical practice. Prerequisites: Permission of the Dental Hygiene Program Director. This is an individually designed course to meet the needs of students who either wish to re-enter the dental hygiene program or a graduate student who desires clinical updating and competency review in preparation for the clinical dental hygiene licensure examination. This course will be designed to meet the specific needs of the individual student and can not be used to meet degree requirements.