Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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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Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

DHYG-1235-001 Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist

Prerequisites

Course Description

Classification of drugs and their uses, actions, interactions, side effects, contraindications, with emphasis on dental applications.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 2 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Students MUST have the CURRENT edition of all required textbooks and must bring textbooks to ALL scheduled class sessions.

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1. Oral Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist, by Weinberg, Theile and Fine, Second Edition

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2. Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry by Wynn, 18th edition, (Lexicomp 2012-2013)

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Reference Texts

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1. Physicians’ Desk Reference 2014, located in Clinic under purified water cabinet
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2. Current Dental Hygiene Journals
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Supplies

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• \ Library Card for AC and /or city library
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• \ Computer and Internet Access, printer, print cartridges
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• \ Index cards, scantrons, paper, pens, markers
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• \ Additional materials as needed
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Student Performance

\ End-of-Course Outcomes: 

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\ Differentiate the classification of drugs; identify the uses, actions, and contraindications of drugs; and recognize systemic and oral manifestations associated with their use.

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\ Instructor Objectives for the Course:

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\ Upon completion of the course the student shall be able to:

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\ 1. Identify the appropriate reference book (s) needed to obtain a variety of information concerning drugs.
\ 2. Define general terms and explain the principles of pharmacology.
\ 3. Associate the names of selected individual drugs with appropriate drug groups.
\ 4. List and explain the major pharmacological effects associated with the drug group studied.
\ 5. Identify the major adverse reactions of the drug groups studied.
\ 6. Describe the major therapeutic uses for the drug group studied.
\ 7. List the treatment of a patient with a problem associated with drug administration including overdose, adverse reaction, allergy or idiosyncratic reaction.
\ 8. Describe the contraindications and/or precautions for the use of the drug groups studied.
\ 9. Explain a drug’s mechanism of action, when applicable.
\ 10. Recognize a drug’s interaction with other drugs, disease states, or foods.
\ 11. Compare and contrast an individual drug within one group with its members of with another drug group.
\ 12. Describe the management of dental patients when taking drug (s).
\ 13. Compile a table of top drugs to include their mechanisms of action, dosage, indication of use, adverse effects, drug interactions, and oral  side effects.
\ 14. Differentiate the terms phobia, fear, and anxiety.
\ 15. Analyze patient responses to questions in the dental history designed to detect anxiety about treatment.
\ 16. Identify the origin of a patient’s anxiety through questioning during the initial interview.
\ 17. Identify and evaluate fear-provoking situations with a patient.
\ 18. Recognize the signs and behaviors that indicate dental fear.
\ 19. Evaluate the reliability of tools used to assess dental anxiety.
\ 20. Compare psychological and behavioral strategies for managing dental anxiety.
\ 21. Formulate a personalized treatment plan for a fearful patient, using anxiety reducing techniques.
\ 22. Use non-pharmacological strategies to promote patient relaxation.

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\ 23. Appreciate the history of nitrous oxide use and its association with the dental profession.
\ 24. Identify the effects of nitrous oxide on pain, anxiety, and the body’s system.
\ 25. Understand the properties of nitrous oxide.
\ 26. Explain indications and relative contraindications for the use of nitrous oxide sedation.
\ 27. Identify equipment associated with nitrous oxide sedation.
\ 28. Describe the appropriate technique for nitrous oxide administration.
\ 29. Recognize signs and symptoms of ideal sedation and over sedation.
\ 30. Recognize appropriate recovery from nitrous oxide sedation.
\ 31. Separate facts from fallacies associated with chronic exposure to nitrous oxide sedation.
\ 32. Describe methods for detection and assessment of trace levels of nitrous oxide in the dental setting.
\ 33. Describe methods to minimize trace levels of nitrous oxide in the dental setting.

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\ The student will know that these objectives have been successfully completed if he or she earns a final course grade of “C” or higher as evaluated by the instructor.

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\ The standard for the objectives may be one or any combination of the following:

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\ - as given in lecture
\ - as demonstrated, discussed in the clinic experience
\ - as given in handouts
\ - as stated in the course texts
\ - as given on exams
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

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 studet 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 also apply to student conduct in these programs.  Integrity and common sense will guide the actions of each member of the 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

• Student is prompt for class.
• Student is prepared for class sessions.
• Student assumes responsibility for his/her own learning.
• Student is concerned with excellence in learning rather than just meeting minimal criteria.
• Student applies lecture material in the clinic setting.
• Student will seek faculty assistance if needed, and will monitor their own progress in meeting course requirements.
• Student maintains his/her composure, dealing with conflict in a constructive way.
• Student exhibits an attitude of respect for classmates, faculty and staff.
• In order for maximum learning to occur, students may not be disruptive or talk to each other during lectures, presentations, guest lectures, etc.  Should this occur, the student will be asked to leave and will receive an absence for the day.  Disciplinary action may also be taken long with a student behavior alert form sent to the Dean of Student Services.

 Electronic and Recording Devices

In order to maximize learning, all electronic recording devices and cell phones are prohibited in this course.  If a student is caught with a cell phone in hand or in a uniform pocekt, or actively texting, talking or surfing the internet during class, the student will immediately be dismissed and will receive a grade of "0".

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 faculty.

Bulletin Board

First and second year dental hygiene students have designated areas in a common bulletin board in 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/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

\ The course will consist of Major Exams and a Comprehensive Final.

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\ The following criteria will be used to determine your grade:

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\ Major Exams 75%
\ Comprehensive Final 25%

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\ The following grade scale applies throughout this course:

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\ A = 93 100%
\ B = 83 92%
\ C = 75 82%
\ F = Below 75%
\ Note: A grade of "D" is not possible in this course.

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\ In order to pass the course, a student must achieve a final grade of 75% and meet all requirements of the course. All students are considered mature enough to seek faculty assistance and to monitor their own progress in meeting course requirements. Students who continually fall below the minimal level of 75% on graded material should seek assistance from the course faculty.

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\ Make-up Policy

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\ If a student is absent on the day when a major examination is given, the student may make-up the missed work as follows: 

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• \ It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor within 24 hours of returning from the absence to reschedule the examination
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• \ The missed work must be made up within TWO Amarillo College school days where the day ends at 4:00 pm.
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• \ The makeup work may earn a maximum of 80% of the original point value
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Attendance

“Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.”  (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 course sessions regularly and promptly.  Without question, the instructor expects each student to be present at each session.  Unfortunately, no one has ever developed a short cut which will replace hours of actual experience needed to master a new skill; therefore, you must be present to acquire the specific knowledge in this subject. 

Absences will be monitored and evaluated to determine the student’s final course grade.  The student may have no more than 1 absence in this course without affecting the final grade.  Beginning with the 2nd absence, 2 points will be deducted from the final grade; on the 3rd absence, 3 points will be deducted; on the 4th absence, 4 points will be deducted.  On the occurrence of the 5th absence, the student will fail the course and be required to repeat the course.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each lecture and lab session.  Students not present when attendance is taken will be counted as absent. The student is expected to be present in class at the time class/lab is scheduled to begin. STUDENTS WHO ARE LATE TO CLASS OR LAB OR WHO LEAVE CLASS OR LAB EARLY, WILL BE COUNTED AS ABSENT.  The student will receive 2 bonus points to the final grade of this course if the student has perfect attendance for the semester.  

Tardiness Policy

You are expected to be present in the class at the time when it is scheduled to begin.  If class has already begun and you arrive late or if you delay the start of a class, you will be considered late.  Late arrivals will be counted as an absence. I will take roll at the beginning of each class period.  Please plan accordingly.  No exceptions.

Calendar

Additional Information

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