Clinical - Dental Hygienist IV Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

DHYG-2261-001 Clinical - Dental Hygienist IV

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: DHYG 2360

Course Description

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 12 clinic)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1. Current copy of the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program Manual

2.  Patient Assessment Tutorials:  A Step By Step Guide for the Dental Hygienist,  2nd edition,  Jill Neild-Gehrig;  Lippincottt,  Williams & Wilkins

Supplies

Each student will supply his/her own instruments and disposable products.

Student Performance

End-of-Course Outcomes

As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental , social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry. 

As outlined in the learning plan: DHYG 2261 is designed to allow the student to utilize critical thinking and problem-solving strategies to provide comprehensive proficient dental hygiene care for clients possessing a wide range of oral conditions.  Upon successful completion of Clinic IV, the student will  be able to competently provide dental hygiene treatment to clients with light through heavy calculus classifications and Periodontal  Disease Criteria of Gingivitis, Slight, Moderate, and Severe Periodontitis.  The instructor's primary role will be to function as a facilitator to aid the student through functional assessment and quality patient-centered treatment of clients.

Course Meeting Days and Times

Clinic:  Monday and Wednesday

8:30 a.m - 5:00 p.m.

Friday

8:30 a.m. -  12:00 p.m.

Jones Hall

Dental Clinic

Room 112

Wednesday Afternoon Report

Jones Hall

Room 111

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 pm

Additional Faculty

Karon Birdsong, RDH, BS

Madeline Borecki, DMD

Amanda Lester-Chisum, RDH, BS

Jane McFarland RDH,  BS

Jnita Collins, RDH, BS

Jack Fong, DDS

Bill Forbus, DDS

Bob Fowler, DDS

Lynette Hayhurst, RDH,BS

Mike Henderson, DDS

Karen Lester, RDH,BS

Patti Shaffer, RDH

Erica Brassfield RDH

Method of Instruction

In the clinic setting the ratio of faculty to students never exceeds 1:5.  Individual feedback will be provided for the students verbally and in written form.  Direct observation will be utilized through process performance evaluations, while indirect observation will be used in end-product evaluations.

Afternoon Report will be held each week to allow discussion of clinical issues, present additional clinical procedures, as well as, review previously presented procedures.  The forum setting is mandatory.  Students will be counted absent for the entire day if he/she does not attend clinic forums.  A student will be counted absent if he/she is not present when the roll is called.  Student input is encouraged.

Clinical Dental Hygiene

Clinical Dental Hygiene is that portion of the dental hygiene curriculum focused on developing the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills necessary for delivery of preventive, educational, and therapeutic services to the public.  The delivery of patient - centered  comprehensive care is accomplished through adherence to the process of care:  assessment of patient needs, formulation of a dental hygiene diagnosis, planning for the prevention and treatment of oral disease, implementation of various dental hygiene interventions (services) and evaluation of both the patient and practitioner efforts and oral health outcomes.

Definitions

A.     Preventive Services:  Clinical methods employed by the clinician and/or patient to promote and maintain oral health.

B.     Educational Services:  Strategies developed for an individual or for groups to elicit behaviors directed toward health.

C.     Therapeutic Services:  Clinical treatment designed to arrest or manage disease and maintain oral tissues in health.

D.     Process of Care:  Systematic approach to the delivery of dental hygiene care that supports comprehensive services to meet the individual needs of all patients.  The process of care requires defined problem solving and critical thinking skills and supports evidence-based decision making.

E.     Dental Hygiene Diagnosis:  A statement of potential or actual patient need that can be addressed by dental hygiene intervention services or strategies.

F.     Pre-Clinic:  That portion of clinical education during which the student does not have direct and primary responsibility for providing comprehensive dental hygiene care to a patient.  The student performs selected services on a patient, a partner or a laboratory manikin, but does not necessarily provide a full range of services.

G.     Clinical Dental Hygiene:  The major portion of clinical education.  As primary provider, the dental hygiene student integrates preventive, educational, and therapeutic care in treating the patient.

H.      Fundamental Clinical Dental Hygiene Skills:  Skills routinely performed by the dental hygienist and/or taught to clinical competency in most dental hygiene programs and/or are legal in most states.

Clinical Dental Hygiene:  Primary Educational Goals

Clinical dental hygiene experience provides preventive and therapeutic care according to the process of care:  assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation.

This requires critical thinking and evidenced-based decision making skills that guide the provision of dental hygiene care within a focused scope of practice.  Upon the completion of the clinical curriculum, the student will be able to:

A.     Apply the process of care to preventive and therapeutic oral health management to a diverse patient population.

B.     Assess and analyze objective and subjective patient findings to formulate an evidence-based, patient-centered dental hygiene diagnosis.

C.     Plan, implement and evaluate intervention strategies that will promote and maintain oral health including oral self care behaviors.

D.     Demonstrate knowledge of and skill in applying dental hygiene methodology of care.

E.     Apply the principles of professional and ethical behavior in providing care to individuals of all populations.

Special Learning Objectives

1.     Collect data, record and assess a comprehensive health history, including social history.

2.     Recognize conditions that necessitate special consideration prior to or during treatment.

3.     Perform and record extraoral and intraoral examinations, clinical and radiographic assessment of the periodontium and dentition, and assessment of occlusion.

4.      Assess the need for, expose, evaluate and interpret dental radiographs to support the clinical examination.

5.     Employ radiation safety principles and procedures requiring exposure to ionizing radiation.

6.     Expose and implement intraoral photography.

7.     Formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis and supportive, patient-centered dental hygiene treatment plan.

8.     Obtain informed consent by discussing with the patient his/her oral health findings, goals and treatment strategies.

9.     Value the importance of patient - centered care and concepts of health promotion.

10.    Assess, plan, implement and evaluate a dental hygiene treatment plan for the prevention and/or treatment of oral diseases.

11.    Assess the need for and perform initial and supportive periodontal therapies.

12.    Assess the need for and perform therapeutic hand and ultrasonic/sonic periodontal debridement therapies.

13.    Perform care and maintenance of procedures for dental implants.

14.    Assess the need for and perform extrinsic stain removal procedures.

15.    Assess the need for and apply adjunctive topical chemotherapeutic and controlled released agents.

16.    Assess the need for and apply pain and anxiety management strategies.

17.    Assess the need for and plan professional topical fluoride and/or self applied fluoride; apply professional topical fluoride.

18.    Apply principles of nutritional and/or tobacco cessation counseling to the management of oral health.

19.    Take impressions for, pour and trim study models.

20.    Assess the need for and place pit and fissure sealants.

21.    Assess, plan and perform patient oral self care education.

22.    Apply standard precautions for the prevention of disease transmission.

23.    Follow all state and federal regulatory requirements when rendering patient care.

24.    Apply principles of comprehensive record keeping.

25.    Apply principles of professional and ethical behavior when providing patient care.

26.    Apply principles of evidence-based decision making.

27.    Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills when providing patient care.

28.    Demonstrate professional communication skills in all aspects of patient care.

29.    Demonstrate concern and understanding of a variety of patient needs based on overall health, oral health, cultural, social and economic circumstances.

30.    Recommend a recare schedule for continued supportive care.

31.    Recommend referral for additional assessment and/or treatment.

32.    Value the importance of evaluation and monitor patient oral health.

33.    Assess overall patient satifaction with care provided.

34.    Value the need for maintenance of thorough and accurate records.

35.    Apply the principles for maintaining comprehensive and accurate records of all information and services offered  and provided to the  patient.

36.    Self-assess the ability to perform dental hygiene services at a high standard of care.

37.    Value patient confidentiality and patient rights according to HIPAA guidelines.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

A high standard of conduct is expected of all Amarillo College students.  The Student Code of Conduct is defined in the Amarillo College Student Rights and Responsibilities publication.  The document may be located at www.actx.edu under the student tab.

"Amarillo college expects a high standard of conduct from its students.  Students are expected to comply with the law, respect proper constitutional authority, and obey College policies, rules and regulations.  Unacceptable conduct is defined as an action or behavior that is contrary to the best interest of a fellow student or students, the faculty or staff, the College, or the teaching/learning process.  Students failing to perform according to established standards may be subject to disciplinary action.  Policies, standards, rules and regulations apply to students attending College activities whether the activity takes place on or off campus.

Each student shall be responsible for becoming knowledgeable of the contents and provisions of College policies, rules, and regulations concerning student conduct.  In some cases, individual programs may have approved policies for student  conduct which guide the actions of each member of the college community both in and out of the classroom.    Integrity and common sense will guide the actions of each member of college community both in and out of the classroom.  Any student who fails to perform according to expected standards may be disciplined."

The Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program has specific policies which apply to student conduct within the program.  These policies may be implied or written.  The course syllabus and the program manual are sources for specific student conduct policies for dental hygiene students at Amarillo College.
 

Professional Standards

The following are examples which are considered professional standards.   These are representative examples and may not be all inclusive.  For maximum learning to occur, the student is expected to demonstrate professional conduct and judgment at all times.

1.  Student is prompt to Clinic/Rotation Assignments  both in the morning and afternoon sessions.

2.  Student is prepared for Clinic/Rotation Assignments.

3.  Student assumes responsibility for his/her own learning.

4  Student is concerned with excellence in learning rather than just meeting minimal criteria.

5.  Student applies lecture material in the clinical setting.  The student  utilizes references in the clinic to look up various diseases and medical conditions in which dental treatment may be altered.

6.  Student maintains his/her composure, dealing with conflict in a constructive way.

7.  Student exhibits an attitude of respect for classmates, faculty and staff.  If a student has a conflict with a grade given by the instructor, the student must follow the outlined grievance procedure.  Faculty will not change a grade given to a student from another faculty member.

8.  In order for maximum learning to occur,  students should  not be disruptive in Clinic or Class.  . Should this occur, the student will be asked to leave immediately and will receive an absence for the day.  Disciplinary action may also be taken.

9.  Student should not visit with other classmates during patient care.  Patients need your dedicated attention while receiving care.

10.  Student will use the light system in the Clinic as well as the "instant messenger" system  to summon clinical instructors and assistants.

11.  Student will accept alternate assignments as needed and have an attitude of team spirit.  Teamwork is an essential component of the dental profession.

12.  Student will be responsible for broken or damaged equipment in the Clinic.

13.  Student will not leave the clinic before 12:00 noon or 5:00 p.m. without special permission from the clinical faculty.   Failure to receive faculty permission will result in an absence for the day and a 0 for the rotation and/or clinic assignment.    Remember:  all students must correctly log in and out of the computer each day for an accurate record of attendance.  Failure to do so will result in an absence for the day.

14.  If a student has placed a "hold" on his/her clinic schedule, the Office Supervisor will schedule  a patient if the "hold" is not filled by 3:00 pm on the day before the scheduled appointment.  As in any dental practice, the office supervisor is responsible for keeping the appoinment book filled.   Amarillo College is no exception. 

Professional Behavior Around Patients

First and foremost confidentiality and compassion are at the cornerstone of patient centered care.  Students are not to discus private information regarding his/her  patient with classmates.  Patient information related to patient care is only to be discussed with the supervising faculty and/or attending dentist.  All patients should be treated with the utmost professional respect. In turn, any inappropriate behavior demonstrated by patients should be immediately brought to the supervising faculty's attention. 

As a matter of courtesy, patients should be addressed by his/her last name.  Students must be professional in his/her choice of language around patients.  Students must be professional and courteous at all times with patients, fellow students, staff and faculty.  Personal conversations with classmates must be kept to a minimum during patient care.   Students should avoid comments such as, "I've never seen this much calculus!"  and "I've never used the Air polisher".  If a student is unsure about a procedure, students should not demonstrate insecurity in front of the patient.  Students should speak with the  faculty discreetly away from the chair.

Quality Assurance of Patient Care

Mechanisms utilized to assure quality of dental hygiene care to the patient :

1)  Check in/out, evaluations and periodontal re-evaluations

a.  Patient Confirmation -  Patients are confirmed the day before the appointment.  Students should ask the patient about premedication needs and current medications.  Patients should be instructed to bring a list of the actual medications he/she is taking to the appointment with them.  This should include any prescribed,  OTC or herbal remedies.  The list should include the name, dosage and amount of medication he/she is taking at the present time.

b.  Attendance and Tardiness - All students are required to log in to the computer in  clinic  no later than 8:45 a.m  for the morning clinic and 12:45 p.m.  for the afternoon clinic.  Patients may be seated as soon as they are checked in by the front office.  Students' tardiness and/or absenteeism for clinic assignments, rotation assignments  and afternoon report will be monitored and recorded and will count toward the final grade.

c.  Medical History - Students must have faculty approval prior to beginning any treatment.  All medications must be referenced.  A Mosby's drug reference text or a current PDR may be utilized.  Students must be able to report to the clinical faculty what drug(s) the patient is taking, what it is utilized for, any oral manifestations as a result of taking the drug,  and contraindications to dental treatment if applicable.

d.   An Intra-oral and Extra-oral Exam will be performed on all patients with documentation of the findings in the patient record.

e.  Assessment - All patients will receive a full-mouth probing (with the exception of children under 18 unless indicated).  At the conclusion of the assessment interval, the student should determine a dental hygiene diagnosis and a patient-centered treatment plan to present to the faculty during the assessment phase of check-in (process-evaluation).

f.  Scaling - Students are expected to scale all teeth, debride, and remove all calculus and plaque.  Sharpening instruments before and/or during scaling is encouraged.  Extra-oral fulcrums may be utilized in Clinic III and Clinic IV.    End-product evaluations are utilized to assess calculus and plaque removal.

g.  Stain Removal - Students are expected to assess each patient's need for stain removal.  Air polishing can be employed in any circumstance when polishing is indicated, not just for heavy stain.  Make sure no contrindications exist for air polishing such as hypertension, low sodium diet, kidney disorders etc.

h.  Fluoride - Students should provide fluoride therapy at the end of each appointment as indicated.  Students should first dry the teeth with air, place tray in the mouth, and evacuate excess saliva and fluoride with a saliva ejector.  Patients should never be left unattended during the fluoride treatment ( especially young children).  Patients should be instructed to not eat, drink or rinse for 30 minutes.

2.   Conclusion of the Appointment - Students must conclude patient treatment no later than 11:30a.m., 2:30 and 4:30p.m.  unless given special permission by clinical faculty. 

a.  Progress notes should be completed.   Progress notes should be detailed utilizing correct grammar and spelling.    A recall interval for a patient is established at the conclusion of the appointment with consultation from the faculty and student input. 

b.  Recall intervals are established according to the individual needs of the patient.  The patient is informed of his/her recall interval.

c.  Patients must complete a Patient Survey before he/she is dismissed from the clinic.   

3.  Tracking and Student Progress -  Student progress is tracked by the Clinic Coordinator through mid-semester and final clinical progress meetings, as well as, individual meetings requested by students throughout the semester.   Student progression toward his/her clinical requirements is noted on a clinical progress sheet handed out to each student throughout the semester. 

Statement of Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the duty owed by dental hygiene professionals, including students enrolled in Dental Hygiene accredited programs, to protect the privacy of all patient information.  Dental Hygiene professionals clearly have an obligation to keep MEDICAL and PERSONAL information about patients in the strictest confidence at all times.  Unless disclosure is mandated by patient consent, statute, a duty to inform third parties, or special circumstances, dental hygiene professionals have a clear duty to maintain confidentiality of all patient information.

Breach of the duty to hold such information in the strictest confidence, may cause liability for the individual student such as fines, imprisonment, and dismissal from the program.  In the professional "Code of Ethics", the American Dental Hygienists' Association Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists has published the following statement which all dental hygiene professionals (including students) must always follow:

"We respect the confidentiality of client information and relationships as a demonstration of the value we place on individual autonomy.  We acknowledge our obligation to justify any violation of confidence."

Electronic and Recording Devices

In order to maximize learning, all electronic devices such as cell phones or beeper/pagers are prohibited in this course.  If a student is caught with a cell phone in hand or in a uniform pocket, or actively texting, talking, or surfing the internet during a clinic session, the student will immediately be dismissed from the Clinic and will receive a grade of "0" for the patient session or rotation, as well as an absence for the day.  Those students who have children or who anticipate an emergency situation,  should give caregivers and family members the Office Supervisor's number (806-354-6050) and have calls directed to her first.  She will then act accordingly to inform the student.  Patient care should not be interrupted unless the student is alerted from the Office Supervisor regarding an emergency.  Your children will not be allowed in the clinic.  No exceptions.

Mailboxes

Each student is assigned a mailbox located inside the student dressing room.  Students are required to check  his/her mailbox daily for various communication from the faculty.

Bulletin Board

First and second year dental hygiene students have designated areas on a common bulletin board inside the student dressing room where various announcements may be posted.

Emergency Contacts

Phone numbers that family members may use to reach a student in case of an  emergency are as follows:

Dental Hygiene Office Supervisor:   354-6050

Amarillo College Police:   371-5163

Academic Grievance Procedure

A student who has a grievance concerning an academic course in which he or she is enrolled is directed to appeal in the following order to the:  (1)  Instructor  (2)  Department Chair/Program Director  (3)  Dean of Health Sciences  (4)  Vice President of Academic Affairs  (5)  College President.

Grading Criteria

General Clinic Guidelines

1.  Certain standards of care apply to each patient (i.e.:  asepsis, patient management, professionalism, patient confidentiality,  patient education, etc.) and are considered part of all aspects of patient treatment.

2.  Although the Department of Dental Hygiene maintains a system for recalling patients and providing maintenance oral hygiene care, students will be responsible for recruiting new patients to  the Dental Hygiene Clinic who will meet the student's needs for various dental hygiene requirements.  Additionally students will be expected to recruit and maintain a list of potential patients, who are available and willing to make an appointment on short notice.  Students will also be required to select a patient which meets the criteria for the WREB and/or CRDTS or other regional clinical board in order to gain licensure to practice dental hygiene.

3.  It is important that each student understands the necessity for taking a proactive and responsible role in obtaining his/her education.  Your signature on the "syllabus documentation form" is evidence of the fact that you understand your responsibility in recruiting the type(s) of patients you will need to complete requirements in order  to graduate from the Dental Hygiene Program at Amarillo College.

4.  It is important for each student to seek faculty input regarding his/her performance so the student may:

a.  Correct techniques as necessary

b.  Determine problem areas and methods for improving those areas

c.  Gain confidence that his/her performance is correct and competent

d.  Attain competence in clinical skills

All students are considered mature enough to seek faculty assistance and to monitor his/her own progress in meeting course requirements.  Students who continually fall below the recommended competency level in any area should seek remediation skills from the clinical faculty.

Clinic I, II, III, IV - Students will be required to meet minimum requirements outlined on the STUDENT COMPETENCY RECORD for each individual clinic.

Defintions:

1.  Objective - Given at the beginning of each procedure to define the procedure which must be mastered by the student.

2.  Performance Criteria - Derived directly from the Objective given for each procedure or from criteria outlined in the applicable PROCESS EVALUATION.

3.  Evaluation Criteria - Student will be evaluated as follows:  10 point deduction per error on the process and end-product evaluation.    Sealant placement will be graded as competent or incompetent.  Radiographs will be grades as outlined in the Program Manual.  If the radiographic critique sheet is not turned in for grading within 1 week of the radiographs being exposed, a 0 will be added to your average radiographic grade for each critique sheet not turned in on time.  Half of the required radiographs must be completed by the last clinic day in March or points (1)  will be deducted from your final clinic grade.  Clinic requirements must be completed by the final clinic day of the semester.  A student who does not complete clinic requirements in Clinic IV by the final day of clinic will not graduate in the spring semester.  A numerical grade will be assessed for each quiz and online assignment. 

4.  Clinic Requirements - Clinic requirements project the minimum number of learning experiences needed to obtain competency/proficiency in the performance of a procedure.  The clinic requirements increase in number (for some procedures) and patient difficulty as students progress from Clinic I to Clinic IV.  Each clinic requires both process and end-product evaluations.  Students must successfully complete (75%) of a procedure for it to count as one of the required minimums.  Clinic requirements must be completed by the final day of the semester.

5.  Performance Levels - In addition to the minimum requirements, each procedure has been assigned a minimal level.  Performance levels are listed on the STUDENT EVALUATION RECORDS.

To determine the evaluation criteria, minimum clinical requirements and performance levels for each procedure, see the appropriate forms:

1.  Evaluation = STUDENT EVALUATION CRITERIA (on Process and End-Product Evaluations)

2.  Minimum Clinical Requirements + STUDENT EVALUATION RECORDS FOR CLINICS I, II, III, AND IV

3.  Performance Level = STUDENT EVALUATION RECORDS FOR CLINICS I, II, III, AND IV.

Clinical competency is obtained successfully by completing procedures in the following categories:

Each error in Clinic IV will count as minus 10 point deduction per error on the process and end- product evaluations.  Sealant placement will be graded as either competent or incompetent.  Radiographs will be graded as outlined in the Program  Manual, and must be critiqued and turned in to be graded within 1 week of being exposed.    If not graded within 1 week of being exposed, a 0 will be added to your average radiographic grade.  Half of the required radiographs, (2) must be completed by the last clinic day in March or 1 point (s)  will be deducted from your final clinic grade.  One point will be deducted per radiographic (set) not turned in and passed on time (March).   All evaluations must be graded by an instructor.  Clinic requirements must be completed by the final clinic day of the semester.  A student who does not complete all clinic requirements in Clinic IV by the final clinic day will not be allowed to graduate in the spring semester.

Note:  Extra-Intraoral Examination Criteria:

We have decided as a faculty it would be helpful to you the student to record the Extra-Intraoral exam on your patients like  WREB and /or CRDTS requires.  Only significant findings needing referral, monitoring or follow-up evaluation will be recorded.  If a student  records a finding which is not significant, (Examples given by WREB include tori, fordyce granules, linea alba, and coated tongue) it will be counted incorrect, and will have a 10 point deduction.  Faculty believe  it is better for students  to get use to the way the clinical  boards evaluate the Extra-Intraoral examination, and  for students to make his/her  mistakes in school rather than on  a  clinical board.

 Minimum Number of Successful (75% or greater) Learning Experiences for Clinic IV

Clinic requirements project the minimum number of learning experiences needed to obtain proficiency in the performance of procedures and techniques that are the basis of dental hygiene practice.  The following are the minimum number of learning experiences required for Clinic IV.  Clinical competency is obtained by successfully completing these procedures with a minium of 75% or higher competency level.

3     Patients with Case Difficulty Index Type A 

       (3 Process Grade Sheets  and 3 End - Product Grade Sheets)

2     Patients with Case Difficulty Index Type B

       (2 Process Grade Sheets and 4 End  - Product Grade Sheets)  Note:   will be graded by the arch or half-mouth

2     Patients with Case Difficulty Index Type C

       (2 Process Grade Sheets  and 8 End - Product Grade Sheets)   8 quadrants

2     Patients with Case Difficulty Index Type D

       (2 Process Grade Sheets  and 8 End - Product Grade Sheets) 8 quadrants

1     Child Patient (age 11 and under)

       (1 Process Grade Sheet  and 1 End - Product Grade Sheet)

1     Adolescent Patient (age 12 through 18)

      (1 Process Grade Sheet  and 1 End -  Product Grade Sheet)

1     Adult Patient (age 19 and up)

      (1 Process Grade Sheet  and 1 End - Product Grade Sheet)

1     Geriatric Patient (age 65 and up)

       (1 Process Grade Sheet and 1 End -  Product Grade Sheet)

1     Special Needs Patient

       (1 Process Grade Sheet  and 1 End -  Product Grade Sheet)

4     Periodontal Assessment (Complete periodontal readings on "C" and "D" patients.)

1     Periodontal Re-evaluation of Oral and Perio Status Patient  (must be a Cl III or Cl IV perio classification and Calculus classification B, C, or  D.  A student must have completed scaling and root planing of at least one quadrant within the last month.

4    Calculus Detection  (On one quadrant of "C" and "D" patients))

1     Mock Board Patient Experience with  WREB and/or CRDTS Exam Criteria.    (Grade will count toward competencie if 75% or higher).  The Mock Board Exam Grade will be recorded and count toward the final clinic average. 

Conversion Table:

1 type B patient to 2 type A patients

1 type C check in to 1 type B check in

1 type C check in to 3 type A check ins

1 type D check in to 1 type C check in

1 type D check in to 2 type B check ins

1 type D check in to 4 type A check ins

 

Adjunct Procedures

16     Sealants - As outlined on the performance criteria, sealants will be graded as either competent or incompetent.  No credit will be given for the sealant if the procedure is deemed incompetent or unsatisfactory.

Radiographs:  will be graded as outlined in the Program Manual.  Radiographs must be critiqued and the critique sheet turned in to be graded by faculty within 1 week of the x-rays being exposed.  If the radiographic critique sheet is not turned in for grading within 1 week, a 0 will be added to a student's radiographic average for each critique sheet not turned in on time.

5      FMX  (Competency Level of 75% or above) on an adult permanent dentition, adult partially edentulous/edentulous, child primary dentition, and child/adolescent mixed dentition.  The child primary dentition may be taken on the child dexter if no patient is available. 

5     Horizontal BWX  (set of 4 at a Competency Level of 75% or above)

5     Panoramic Radiographs  (Students are required to achieve a 75% Competency level or above.  All Panoramic Radiographs will be critiqued and require submission.  Only five  will be recorded in the grade book and these must be done in the clinic during patient care.)

1     Nutritional Counseling complete with a 1 - 2 page summary to be turned  in for grading.    A video presentation to be peer reviewed will also be required.  All components of the requirement must be completed and turned in to receive competency.

1     Tobacco Cessation complete  with a  1 - 2 page summary to be turned in for grading.    A  video presentation to be peer reviewed will also be required.  All components of the requirement must be completed and turned in to receive competency.

1     Desensitization

2     Applications of Chemotherapeutic Agent

In addition to treating patients at the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic , students must participate in the following  enrichment rotations:

Dental Office Observation

Office Assistant

Dental Assistant I

Dental Assistant II - (Assessment with both faculty and peer evaluations)

Screening

Wyatt Dental Clinic

Veteran's Hospital

Chair Side Rotation

Assignments and Examinations

The course will also consist of quizzes and online assignments.  Quizzes may or may not be announced in advance.  Quiz and online assigment grades will be a part of the end-product evaluation.  All grades will be counted and will not be dropped.

Grade Percentage (Point Weights)

Process:  40 percentage points earned from the following categories:  Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning

End-Product:  60 percentage points earned from the following categories:  Implementation, Evaluation

To determine the clinic grade, the average of all process ( to include rotation assignments)  and end product (to include radiographs, quizzes, nutritional counseling, tobacco cessation, and online  assignments) grade will be multiplied by the point weight for each clinic.  Add up the percentage points for both clinical areas  (process and end product) to determine the final clinic grade for the semester. 

Critical errors may drop a student's grade.  Examples of critical errors may include:  breach of infection control, critical Medical History error, unprofessional conduct toward a patient, student, or faculty/staff member, a breach of confidentiality, etc.  The result of performing a critical error will result in 0 percent credit for the patient and/or dismissed from the clinic or rotation.

Make Up Policy

A student will not be allowed to make up quizzes or online assignments.  A zero will be given for each missed quiz or online assignment.

If a student fails to attain the required minimum requirements for Clinic IV, he/she must enroll in summer Clinic and will not graduate from the Program in May.

The final course grade will be computed as follows:

A = 93-100%

B = 83-92%

C = 75- 82%

F = Below 75%

Note:  A grade of "D" is not possible in this course

Attendance

Attendance Policy

"Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.   Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class in accordance with the requirements of the course as established by the instructor."  (Amarillo College Student's Rights and Responsibilities Publication)

Due to the tremendous amount of information contained in this course, the student who plans to succeed should also plan to attend all clinic sessions regulary and promptly.  Without question, the clinical faculty expects each student to be present at each clinic/rotation session.  Unfortunately, no one has ever developed a short cut which will replace hours of actual experience needed to master a new skill; therefore, students must be present to acquire the specific knowledge in this subject.   Attendance records will be kept on a daily basis during the semester.  Any absence from the clinic or scheduled rotations must be reported to the Office Supervisor first.  The office number is 354-6050.  If you are scheduled for the VA, you must also call them at 355-9703 ext 7888.  Students are required to complete a minimum number of clinic hours and requirements in order to graduate from the dental hygiene program.  All students MUST log in and out each day on the computer to demonstrate a record of his/her attendance.  Failure to do so accurately will result in an absence for the day. 

The Office Supervisor is also responsible for all clinic schedule changes for patients and students.   Students are required to treat all patients assigned to  them regardless of the situtation.  Refusing to treat a patient will result in dismissal from the clinic and disciplinary action will be taken.  The clinic setting is to prepare the student for the "real world" of work.  In a private dental office, a dental hygienist would never be allowed to tell a dentist he/she does not want to see a patient or does not have time to treat a patient . Disciplinary action would be  taken and most likely termination of an employee would occur.    Absences will be monitored and may be evaluated on an individual basis to determine a student's final grade.  A student may have no more than 1 absence in this course without affecting his/her final grade.  Beginning with the 2nd absence, 2 points will be deducted from the final grade; after the 3rd absence, 3 points will be deducted; after the 4th absence, 4 points will be deducted.  On the occurrence of the 5th absence, the student will be required to repeat Clinic IV.  In order to pass the course a student must achieve a final grade of 75% and meet the minimum required competencies set for Clinic IV.  In clinic, students will log in to the computer  no later than 8:45 am and log out at 12:00 pm.  After lunch the student must log back in no later than 12:45 pm  and log out at 5:00 pm as a record of his/her attendance.   Students who do not log in to the computer correctly in the morning or afternoon will be counted absent. Also, students who leave early without special permission from a faculty member will be counted as absent.  The office supervisor will monitor student time logged in at the computers in the clinic and will report this information to the faculty.     A student will receive 2 bonus points to the final clinic grade for perfect attendance.

Example for Bonus Points:

Student has a final clinic average of 91% = B

Student attends all scheduled clinics, classes and rotations on time.

Final Clinic Grade = 93% = A

Calendar

Additional Information

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