Examine the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of dental caries. Through advanced diagnostic techniques and evidence-based strategies, students learn to assess and manage caries risk factors. Emphasis is placed on understanding various interventions' impact on oral health outcomes, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to promote optimal oral health in diverse patient populations.
Explore advanced infection control measures, occupational safety protocols, and regulatory compliance standards relevant to the dental therapy profession. Students defend the dental profession's ethical standards. This course delves into advanced principles and practices of dental health safety within the context of dental therapy practice.
Examine head and neck anatomy, including CBCT interpretation, odontogenesis, and tooth morphology. Create two-dimensional tooth drawings and three-dimensional tooth models to gain a deeper appreciation for the dentition's form, functions and esthetics as well as the developmental basis of orofacial structures and our dentitions.
Focuses on the characteristics and contributing factors of dental decay. Dental Hygiene students help patients minimize caries risk by developing treatment plans, communicating methods to patients and evaluating treatment results.
Prepares the Dental Hygienist student to play a proactive role in improving the dental health of community members of all ages. Students perform and interpret dental health research to determine community dental health needs. They also participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of a community dental health program.
Prepares dental assistant students for professional success in a dental practice or another dental health care environment. Students develop professional appearance and image. More importantly, they learn to work within ethical guidelines and legal frameworks. In preparation for entering the work force, dental assistants customize or develop their portfolios and lay out an on-going professional development plan.
Prepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, control infection, prevent disease, adhere to OSHA Standards and safely manage hazardous materials. Students also take patient vital signs and collect patient medical/dental histories. CPR certification is a prerequisite; students will be required to show proof of certification before beginning the course. This course is a WTCS aligned course required in both the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs. This course must be taken at NTC, no transfers, because the content of this course is specific for this program/site.
This clinical course builds on and expands the technical/clinical skills student dental hygienists developed in Dental Hygiene Process II. In consultation with the instructor, students apply independent problem-solving skills in the course of providing comprehensive care for calculus case type I, II and III patients and case type 0, I, II and III patients. Dental Hygiene Process III introduces root detoxification using hand and ultra-sonic instruments, laser bacterial reduction, selection of dental implant prophylaxis treatment options and administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Students also adapt care plans in order to accommodate patients with special needs.
Prepares student dental hygienists to select safe and effective patient premedication and within the scope of dental hygiene practice. Students will also learn to recognize potential pharmacological contraindications for specific patients and to take measures to avoid negative impact or alert other members of the dental team to possible negative impact.
Prepares dental auxiliary students to operate radiographic equipment and expose bitewing, periapical, extra oral, and occlusal images. Emphasis is placed on protection against x-ray hazards. Students also produce, mount, and evaluate dental images for diagnostic value. This course also provides the background in radiographic theory required for students to make informed decisions and adjustments.
Prepares the student dental hygienist to determine when to consult, treat or refer clients with various disease, infection or physiological conditions. Students learn to recognize the signs, causes and implications of common pathological conditions including inflammatory responses, immune disorders, genetic disorders, developmental disorders of tissues and cysts, oral tissue trauma and neoplasm of the oral cavity.
This clinical experience applies nursing concepts and therapeutic nursing interventions to groups of patients across the lifespan. It also provides an introduction to leadership, management, and team building.
This course will cover topics related to the delivery of community and mental health care. Specific health needs of individuals, families, and groups will be addressed across the lifespan. Attention will be given to diverse and at-risk populations. Mental health concepts will concentrate on adaptive/maladaptive behaviors and specific mental health disorders. Community resources will be examined in relation to specific types of support offered to racial, ethnic, economically diverse individuals and groups.
This advanced clinical course requires the student to integrate concepts from all previous courses in the management of groups of clients facing complex health alterations. Students will have the opportunity to further develop critical thinking skills using the nursing process in making clinical decisions. Continuity of care through interdisciplinary collaboration is emphasized.
This course focuses on the development of advanced clinical skills across the lifespan. Content includes advanced intravenous skills, blood product administration, chest tube systems, basic electrocardiogram interpretation and nasogastric/feeding tube insertion.
Prepares learners to perform basic nursing skills under the supervision of a nurse for job entry as a nursing assistant or a home health aide (HHA) in health care agencies. Face-to-face and hybrid classroom, campus lab and clinical instruction are offered at various nursing homes and hospitals throughout the district. Students need to submit an application and complete background check.
Complex Health Alterations I prepares the learner to provide and evaluate care for patients across the lifespan with alterations in cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and hematologic systems as well as patients with fluid/electrolyte and acid-base imbalance, and alterations in comfort.
This course elaborates upon the basic concepts of health and illness as presented in Nursing Fundamentals. It applies theories of nursing in the care of patients through the lifespan, utilizing problem solving and critical thinking. This course will provide an opportunity to study conditions affecting different body systems and apply evidence-based nursing interventions. It will also introduce concepts of leadership and management.
This intermediate level clinical course develops the RN role when working with clients with complex health care needs. A focus of the course is developing skills needed for managing multiple clients across the lifespan and priorities. Using the nursing process, students will gain experience in adapting nursing practice to meet the needs of clients with diverse needs and backgrounds.
Explore dental armamentarium and isolation techniques. Perform simple operative dental procedures in a pre-clinical setting. Students will discuss and practice techniques in tooth preservation, tooth preparation, material selection and final restoration placement for the permanent dentition.
Prepares student dental hygienists to assess the periodontal health of patients, plan prevention and treatment of periodontal disease and to evaluate the effectiveness of periodontal treatment plans. Emphasis is placed on the recognition of the signs and causes of periodontal disease and on selection of treatment modalities that minimize risk and restore periodontal health.
