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. 

Examine developmental disorders, systemic disorders, oral benign/malignant tumors, odontogenic disorders, infections, immunologically mediated diseases, and genetic disorders. Discuss periodontological topics including: classifications, systemic effects of periodontitis, analyzing clinical data, treatment modalities, surgical periodontics, and other periodontal interventions. Provide comprehensive dental hygiene care.

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 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.

Provides students with skills and knowledge of organic and biological chemistry necessary for application within Nursing and other Allied Health careers. Emphasis is placed on recognizing the structure, physical properties and chemical reactions of organic molecules, body fluids and acids. Additional emphasis is placed on biological functions and their relationships to enzymes, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA.

Explore scientific principles for the selection and use of oral restorative materials. Explain the properties, composition, and behavior of materials commonly used in dentistry.  Emphasis will be placed on factors influencing material selection to enable students to make evidence-based decisions in selecting and applying oral restorative materials to restore dental health and function.

Create a systematic approach to diagnosing oral health conditions and developing treatment plans relevant to dental therapy practice. Emphasis given to medical disease influences on dental treatment planning and care. Students will interpret diagnostic findings, formulate comprehensive treatment plans, and effectively communicate with diverse patient populations.

Demonstrate the specialized care of children and adolescents in dental therapy practice. Students will explore the unique aspects of pediatric dental anatomy, growth and development, and common oral health issues affecting pediatric patients.

Demonstrate the management of dental anxiety and pain in patients across the lifespan within dental therapy practice. Students will explore the physiological and psychological aspects of pain and anxiety, including the role of the autonomic nervous system, pain pathways, and the biopsychosocial model of pain perception. 

Perform compound and complex operative dental procedures ina pre-clinical setting. Students will discuss and  practice techniques in tooth preservation, tooth preparation, material selection, and final restoration placement for the primary and permanent dentition. Pre-clinical competency evaluations are completed in this course. This course is a direct continuation of Operative I. 

Investigates historical perspectives of microbiology, microscopy, characteristics of procaryotic and eucaryotic microorganisms, control of microbial growth, microbial genetics, and classification of microorganisms, principles of disease, epidemiology, immunology and pathogenic microbiology.

Introduction to the practice of dental therapy clinical skills with faculty supervision for the entire scope of dental therapy practice. Comprehensive intake evaluation, treatment planning, case presentation, dental therapy treatment (simple and compound restorations) and professional ethics are expected.

Discuss and perform oral surgical procedures within the scope of dental therapy practice. Students will assess, diagnose, and manage common oral surgical conditions, including extractions specified by the dental therapy practice act, suturing, and changing periodontal dressings. 

Public health foundations, indices, and research are integrated into each student’s oral needs assessment and health promotion strategy or intervention for a specific population. Strategies for health, oral health, oral health education and community outreach programs will be created, implemented, and presented.

Explain pharmacological principles and their applications in dental therapy practice. Special attention will be given to interactions between pharmacological agents and the administration of local anesthetics and analgesics in dental procedures. This course will prepare students to make informed decisions regarding pharmacological interventions in dental therapy practice. 

The practice of clinical dental therapy skills in the community setting with supervision for the entire scope of dental therapy practice is addressed in this experiential clinical. Increased cultural awareness and competency occurs here. Comprehensive intake evaluation, treatment planning, case presentation, dental therapy treatment and professional ethics are expected. 

Plan comprehensive and integrated dental therapy care to patients across diverse populations and settings. Building upon foundational knowledge and clinical skills, students will explore advanced concepts and techniques in treatment planning, case management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Practice of clinical dental therapy skills with faculty supervision for the entire scope of dental therapy practice. Introduction to complex direct restorations. Comprehensive intake evaluation, treatment planning, case presentation, dental therapy treatment and professional ethics are expected. This course is a direct continuation of Dental Therapy Clinic I. 

Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.

Practice of clinical dental therapy skills in the community setting with indirect supervision for the entire scope of dental therapy practice is addressed in this experiential clinical. Increased cultural awareness and competency occurs through various community clinical settings. Increased treatment plan, preventative care, and restorative complexity occurs in these varied settings. Comprehensive intake evaluation, treatment planning, case presentation, dental therapy treatment and professional ethics are expected. This is a direct continuation of Community Clinic I. 

Practice of clinical dental therapy skills with faculty supervision for the entire scope of dental therapy practice is addressed. Introduction to quadrant dentistry and four-handed dentistry occurs here. Comprehensive intake evaluation, treatment planning, case presentation, dental therapy treatment and professional ethics are expected.  Competency evaluations start in this clinical. This course is a direct continuation of Dental Therapy Clinic II.

Explain and perform prosthodontic care in dental therapy practice. Students will explore the principles and techniques of fixed, removable, and implant prosthodontics. Focus on the restoration and replacement of missing teeth to restore oral form, function and esthetics. 

Introduces students to the fundamental sociological concepts, including sociological perspectives, research methods, the significance of culture in society, and the socialization process. Other topics include deviance, the impact of groups on behavior, societal inequities, global changes, the role of social institutions, and social stratification

This science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.

Practice of clinical dental therapy skills with faculty supervision for the entire scope of dental therapy practice is addressed. Quadrant dentistry, treatment planning and treatment commencement on the same day are anticipated. Proficiency in comprehensive intake evaluation, treatment planning, case presentation, dental therapy treatment and professional ethics is expected. Competency evaluations will be completed in this clinical. This course is a direct continuation of Dental Therapy Clinic III. 

Evaluation of ethical standards utilized in dentistry. Reassessment of the ethical foundations of the dental profession. Dental therapists as members of the oral healthcare profession and their various roles are examined. Capstone projects are created, analyzed, and presented.

Practice of clinical dental therapy skills in the community with indirect supervision for the entire scope of dental therapy practice is facilitated at various facilities in the community. Quadrant dentistry, treatment planning, and treatment commencement on the same day are expected. Proficient and efficient comprehensive intake evaluation, treatment planning, case presentation, dental therapy treatment, cultural competence, and professional ethics is expected. This course is the combined progression of Dental Therapy Clinic IV and Community Clinical II.

Integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired throughout their dental therapy program. Dental Therapy Transition is a capstone course designed to prepare students for the transition from their academic studies to professional practice as dental therapists.

Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.