Clinical - Dental Hygienist I Syllabus for 2017-2018
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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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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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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-1260-001 Clinical - Dental Hygienist I

Prerequisites

<p>DHYG 1331<br>  </p>

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 12 clinic)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation, Jill Neild-Gehrig; Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 8^th Edition. (Available in Hard Copy Text)

Patient Assessment Tutorials: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Dental Hygienist, 3^rd Edition, Jill Neild-Gehrig; Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. (Available in Hard Copy Text)

Dental Hygiene Applications to Clinical Practice, Rachel Henry, Maria Perno Goldie, FA Davis (Available in E-book or Hard Copy Text)

Student Workbook to Accompany Dental Hygiene Applications to Clinical Practice, Rachel Henry, Maria Perno Goldie, FA Davis (Available in Hard Copy Text)

Health Professional and Patient Interaction, Ruth Purtilo, Amy Haddad, Regina Doherty;Elsevier, Saunders Publisher (Available in E-book or Hard Copy Text)

Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions, Ruth B. Purtilo, Regina F. Doherty; Elsevier, Saunders Publisher (Available in E-book or Hard Copy Text)

Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office, Stanley F. Malamed, 7^th Edition; Elsevier, Saunders Publisher (Available in E-book or Hard Copy Text)

DH NOTES:Dental Hygienists Pocket Guide 2_nd Edition, Renee Prajer, Gwen Grosso; FA Davis

Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program Manual will be available to you in Blackboard.

Supplies

• Each student will supply his/her own instruments and disposable products.
• Library Card for AC and/or city library
• Tablet and Internet Access, printer, print cartridges.
• Students will be required to print some materials. 
• Index cards, paper, pens, markers
• Students are required to have regular, reliable access to a computer with a stable internet connection.  (Any system older than 4 years may not have the processing power to work with our current version of blackboard)

Student Performance

• 8:30 am -4:00 pm
• Jones Hall Dental Clinic Room 112

• 9:00 am -12:00 pm
• Jones Hall Room 111

Clinical Dental Hygiene

Clinical Dental Hygiene is the 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. The patient care experiences are required for all students in order to attain clinical competence and complete the dental hygiene program.  This education is provided in the program's clinical facilities as defined in the Accreditation Standards and is supervised and evaluated by program faculty according to predetermined criteria.

 

Definitions

• Preventive Services:  Clinical methods employed by the clinician and/or patient to promote and maintain oral health.
• Educational Services:  Strategies developed for an individual or for groups to elicit behaviors directed toward health.
• Therapeutic Services:  Clinical treatment designed to arrest or manage disease and maintain oral tissues in health.
• 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.
• Dental Hygiene Diagnosis:  A statement of potential or actual patient need that can be addressed by dental hygiene intervention services or strategies.
• Pre-Clinic:  The 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.
• 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.
• 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 
• evaluation
• documentation (including electronic health records)

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:

• Apply the process of care to preventive and therapeutic oral health management to a diverse patient population.
• Assess and analyze objective and subjective patient findings to formulate an evidence-based, patient-centered dental hygiene diagnosis.
• Plan, implement and evaluate intervention strategies that will promote and maintain oral health including oral self care behaviors.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and skill in applying dental hygiene methodology of care.
• Apply the principles of professional and ethical behavior in providing care to individuals of all populations.

Special Learning Objectives

1. Comprehensive collection of data, and assess a comprehensive health history, including social history.
2. Perform and record extraoral and intraoral examinations, clinical and radiographic assessment of the periodontium and dentition, and assessment of occlusion.  
3. Assess the need for, expose, develop, evaluate and interpret dental radiographs to support the clinical examination.
4. Expose, assess and transmit intraoral photography.
5. Formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis and supportive dental hygiene treatment plan.
6. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate a dental hygiene treatment plan for the prevention and/or treatment plan for the prevention of oral diseases.
7. Assess the need for and perform a periodontal risk assessment, initial and supportive therapies.
8. Assess the need for and perform therapeutic hand and ultrasonic periodontal debridement therapies.
9. Perform care and maintenance of procedures for dental implants.
10. Assess the need for and perform extrinsic stain removal procedures.
11. Assess the need for and apply adjunctive topical chemotherapeutic and controlled released agents.
12. Assess the need for and apply pain and anxiety management strategies.
13. Assess the caries risk and plan appropriate interventions and therapies.
14. Assess the need for and application of professional topical fluorides and/or self-applied fluoride.
15. Apply principles of nutritional and/or tobacco cessation counseling to the management of oral and systemic health.
16. Assess the need for and place pit and fissure sealants.
17. Assess, plan and perform patient oral self-care education.
18. Apply standard precautions for the prevention of disease transmission.
19. Follow all state and federal regulatory requirements when rendering patient care.
20. Apply principles of comprehensive record keeping.
21. Apply principles of professional and ethical behavior.
22. Apply principles of evidence-based decision-making.
23. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills when providing patient care.
24. Demonstrate professional communication skills in all aspects of patient care that includes interacting with diverse populations and other members of the health care team.
25. Demonstrate concern and understanding of a variety of patient needs based on overall health, oral health, cultural, social, and economic circumstances.
26. Recognize those patients whose medical, physical, psychological, or social situations make it necessary to modify normal dental routines in order to provide dental treatment for that individual.  These individuals include, but are not limited to, people with developmental disabilities, complex medical problems, and significant physical limitations.
27. Obtain informed consent by discussing with the patient his/her oral health findings, goals and comprehensive treatment needs.  Patients that are accepted for dental hygiene care must be advised of the scope of dental hygiene care available in the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic.
28. Recommend a re-care schedule for continued supportive care.
29. Recommend referral for additional assessment and/or treatment.
30. Assess overall patient satisfaction with care provided.
31. Self-assess ability to perform dental hygiene services at a high standard of care.
32. Value patient confidentiality and patient rights according to HIPAA guidelines.
33. Evaluate the relevancy and accuracy of new information in order to provide evidence based client care.
34. Accept constructive criticism and peer review as a learning experience that contributes to professional knowledge and growth.
35. Apply basic, dental and behavioral sciences to clinical practice.
36. Use the dental hygiene process of care to render comprehensive preventative oral health services.
37. Demonstrate appropriate time management strategies when rendering dental hygiene services to patients.
38. Demonstrate clinical emergency medical protocol procedures.
39. Comply with the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for the prevention of disease transmission during the rendering of dental hygiene services to patients.
40. Provide specialized treatment that includes preventative and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health and assist in helping the patient formulate and achieve oral health goals.
41. Evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of dental hygiene services and make modifications as needed.
42. Demonstrate accurate, consistent and complete documentation skills.
43. Evaluate the effectiveness of sterilization procedures, and identify and demonstrate the need for accurate documentation, i.e. biological indicators.
44. Develop awareness and sensitivity for the scope of health and dental health needs in the community.
45. Provide dental hygiene services to an under-served population.
46. Observe and appreciate the role of dental support staff in managing patient communication and care.
47. Develop an appreciation for the different roles and responsibilities of each person within a private practice, and how they work together for the successful management of the office.
48. Recognize, experience, and understand the role of the front office/receptionist, and their function in the dental setting, to include phone skills, greeting patients, scheduling, and using EagleSoft to create treatment plans. 

 

Emergency Management: In the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic we have medical emergency management procedures and safety policies.  Please refer to the program manual for further detail regarding these procedures and policies.

This course is designed to support the student’s development in the knowledge, skills, and values required for graduation from the program and the dental hygiene licensure eligibility. Specifically this course promotes the development of the dental hygienist as defined by the following Educational Standards of the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA CODA) and the Department of Dental Hygiene competency statements.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-8a

General education content must include oral and written communications, psychology, and sociology.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-8b

Biomedical science content must include content in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, general pathology and/or pathophysiology, nutrition and pharmacology.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-8c

Dental sciences content must include tooth morphology, head, neck and oral anatomy, oral embryology and histology, oral pathology, radiography, periodontology, pain management, and dental materials.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-8d

Dental hygiene science content must include oral health, education and preventive counseling, health promotion, patient management, clinical dental hygiene, provision of services for and management of patients with special needs, community dental/oral health, medical and dental emergencies, legal and ethical aspects of dental hygiene practice, infection and hazard control management, and the provision of oral health care services to patient with blood borne and infectious diseases.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-9

The basic clinical education aspect of the curriculum must include a formal course sequence in scientific principles of dental hygiene practice, which extends throughout the curriculum and is coordinated and integrated with the clinical experience in providing dental hygiene services.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-10

The number or hours of clinical practice scheduled must ensure that students attain clinical competence and develop appropriate judgement. Clinical practice must be distributed throughout the curriculum.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-11

The dental hygiene program must have established mechanisms to ensure a sufficient number or patient experiences that afford all students the opportunity to achieve stated competencies.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-12

Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-12

Graduates must be competent in assessing the treatment needs of patients with special needs.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-13

Graduates must be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care which includes

1. Comprehensive collection of patient data to identify the physical and oral health status

2. Analysis of assessment findings and use of critical thinking in order to address the patient’s dental hygiene treatment.

100. Establishment of a dental hygiene care plan that reflects the realistic goals and treatment strategies to facilitate optimal oral health

500. Provision of patient-centered treatment and evidence-based care in a manner minimizing risk and optimizing oral health

5. Measurement of the extent to which goals identified in the dental hygiene care plan are achieved

6. Complete and accurate recording of all documentation relevant to patient care.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-14

Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all types of classifications of periodontal disease including patients who exhibit moderate to severe periodontal disease.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-15

Graduates must be competent in communicating and collaborating with other members of the health care team to support comprehensive patient care.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-16

Graduates must demonstrate competence in:

1. assessing the oral health needs of community-based programs
2. planning an oral health program to include health promotion and disease prevention activities
3. implementing the planned program, and,
4. evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented program

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-17

Graduates must be competent in providing appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-20

Graduates must be competent in applying ethical, legal and regulatory concepts in the provision and/or support of oral health care services.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-21

Graduates must be competent in the application of self-assessment skills to prepare them for life-long learning.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-22

Graduates must be competent in the evaluation of current scientific literature.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 2-23

Graduates must be competent in problem solving strategies related to comprehensive patient care and management of patients.

ADA CODA Educational Standard 5-3

The program must establish, enforce, and instruct students in preclinical/clinical laboratory protocols and mechanisms to ensure the management of emergencies. These protocols must be provided to all students, faculty and appropriate staff. Faculty, staff and students must be prepared to assist with the management of emergencies.

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

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

• All dental hygiene students are expected to demonstrate professionalism in behavior, manner, and judgment in the dental hygiene clinic and voluntary clinical enrichment rotations. The area of professionalism includes appearance, asepsis, patient management, peer, faculty and staff interaction, and documentation. Guidelines for professionalism and professional appearances are discussed in the AC Dental Hygiene Clinic Manual.  Professionalism will be evaluated on a continual basis.
• Students will exhibit professional maturity and an acceptable level of clinical judgment as determined by the clinical faculty. Unprofessional behavior will be documented in written form by the faculty to the Clinic Coordinator. Unprofessional behavior may be defined as a continual pattern of misconduct and/or an egregious act that endangers the health of the patients, students, faculty, and/or College. Egregious acts also include violations of the Texas Dental Hygiene Practice Act and falsification of patient records and/or faculty signatures.
• Students must be competent in the application of the principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision making and professional responsibility as they pertain to patient care. Dental hygienists should understand and practice ethical behavior consistent with the professional code of ethics throughout their educational experiences. 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.
• Student is concerned with excellence in learning rather than just meeting minimal criteria.
• Student maintains his/her composure, dealing with conflict in a constructive way.
• 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.

Safety: Individual Responsibility

This course supports the Amarillo College policies regarding responsibility for a safe environment.

Amarillo College is in compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, and therefore requires that all AC employees, students, and visitors comply to maintain a safe environment.

Report hazardous conditions and safety concerns immediately to their supervisors, instructors, staff, and/or emergency management personnel, as appropriate.

Abide by safe practices and procedures established by the College.

Adhere to and cooperate fully with all local, state, and federal regulations concerning environmental, health, and safety issues.

Take action to resolve safe workplace issues when appropriate.

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."

Instructor Help and Student Participation

It is very important that you seek faculty input regarding your performance so that you may:

• Gain confidence in your performance
• Identify problem areas and determine methods for correcting deficiencies
• Attain competence in your clinical skills

All students are considered mature enough to seek faculty assistance and to monitor their own progress.  Please meet with your assigned instructor or Clinic Coordinator as soon as possible if you have any questions or difficulties in this course.  The faculty is committed to supporting your success; please remember, however, that you are the only person who can make us aware that you need assistance.

Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Mentoring Program

The student has a very important role in the mentoring process.  Each student will be assigned a mentor at the beginning of the semester.  The mentor/mentee list will be posted in the locker room and emailed to each student.  As partners in the mentoring relationship, students have responsibilities to:

• Contact mentors and arrange for a mentoring appointment one in February and one in April.
• Be aware of their mentoring needs and discuss these needs with mentors
• Maintain regular communication with their assigned mentors

Prepare for mentoring meetings by:

• Setting daily and weekly goals for program progression
• Assessing attainment of goals
• Identifying impediments to achieving goals

It is the student’s responsibility to contact mentors and arrange appointments.  Failure to arrange and /or keep appointments will result in a two-point deduction from the final clinical course grade for each occurrence in the semester.

Clinical Collaboration

As a student in the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program faculty input is invaluable.  The clinical faculty works together as a team to assist students with clinical skills, patient experiences, and clinical grades.  The clinical faculty meets to calibrate and evaluate student achievement to assist students with clinical skills.

Mandatory Skills Building/Tutoring

In an effort to increase student success in DHYG coursers, and to assist students having difficulty understanding complex subject areas, any student who scores below a 75% on any exam (excluding the final exam) must complete a mandatory skills building assignment before taking the next exam.  Before receiving a skills assignment, you must first schedule a time with the instructor.  The assignment will be given at that time.

Clinic Remediation Policy

Remediation defined is the act or process of remedying.  Students should not fear this word or this policy.  Remediation is available to address calculus removal, calculus detection, tissue trauma, radiographs, instrument selection, hand instrumentation, ultrasonic instrumentation, environment, probing, fulcrum, grasp, and adaptation.  Students may also request this from a clinical instructor and an instructor may request this for a student as well.  All skill evaluations including Mock Boards will require a 75% to achieve Mastery.  If 75% is not achieved remediation will be mandatory to demonstrate competency.  The initial grade will stand.  The Clinical Instructor will fill out a Student Remediation Form and the student will sign upon completion.

Course Failure-Remediation Policy

If you fail to attain the required minimum requirements for Clinic I and have less than 3 absences during the semester, an “I” (Incomplete) may be given.  The “I” (Incomplete) will be removed and a grade of “C” will be given for the course after you have completed the required work.  If an “I” is received in the first (spring) semester, it must be removed by the end of the first four weeks of the following second (summer) semester.  If an “I” (incomplete) is received in the summer session, it must be removed during the fall session before you can register for the subsequent academic year.  If you fail to remove the “I” grade from your record in the allotted time, a grade of “F” will be posted automatically.  No “I”s can be given the final semester before graduation.

The Clinic Manual

The Dental Hygiene Clinic Manual contains information pertaining to but not limited to the following:

• Our Program’s Mission/Goals/Philosophy
• Clinic Curriculum 
• Code of Ethics
• Standards for Professional Responsibility
• Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
• Clinic Operations
• Professional Appearance Standards
• Clinic Rotations
• Emergency Management
• Infection Control
• Hazard Communication Policy
• Competencies

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,  in a uniform pocket or in the clinic bay , 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.   This includes the use of cell phones in the hall ways outside the clinic bays, on all rotations and anywhere in the clinic.  The only approved area for cell phone use is in the locker room before or after clinic.  Those students who have children or who anticipate an emergency situation should give caretakers and family members the office phone number (806-354-6050) or Mrs. Leonard the clinic supervisor at 467-3099 and have calls directed to her first. She will then act accordingly to inform the student.  Patient care should not be interrupted unless a student is alerted from the office regarding an emergency.  Your children will not be allowed in the clinic.  Please, no exceptions.

TalEval & Blackboard

Students can communicate with clinical faculty and check their progress in clinic through the web based system TalEval. Blackboard is a web-based learning management system provided by Amarillo College.  Students can access their grades through blackboard as well as many resources for this course.

Mailboxes

Each student is assigned a mailbox located inside the student locker room.  Students are required to check his/her mailbox daily for various communication from the faculty. Faculty will also correspond via email and announcements on Amarillo College Blackboard.

Bulletin Board

First and second year dental hygiene students have designated areas on a common bulletin board inside the student locker 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 Clinic 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)  Clinic Coordinator   (3)  Department Chair/Program Director  (4)  Dean of Health Sciences  (5) Vice President of Academic Affairs (6) College President.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

General Clinic Guidelines

• 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 who meets the criteria for WREB and/or CRDTS or another regional clinical board in order to pursue licensure to practice dental hygiene.
• 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/competencies in order to graduate from the Dental Hygiene Program at Amarillo College.
• In a competency based clinical system, dental hygiene students are expected to demonstrate the mastery of skills along a progressive continuum toward entry-level competence.  Once you have demonstrated mastery of a skill you are expected to maintain that level of mastery.  Each skill assessment serves as the foundation for your continued skill development.  Therefore, your maintenance of the base skills will be evaluated on a continual basis.
• Each error for Clinic I will count as minus 5 point deduction per error on the competency evaluations, and screening evaluations.  Sealant placement will be graded as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.  Radiographs will be graded as outlined in the Program Manual, and must be critiqued at the time of the appointment and turned in at the end of the appointment..   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.
• The course will also consist of quizzes and other online/computer assignments.  Quizzes may or may not be announced in advance.  Quiz and online/computer assignment grades will be a part of the end-product evaluation.  All grades will be counted and will not be dropped.
• Critical Errors may drop a student’s grade.  Examples of critical errors may include but are not limited to:  breach of infection control, critical medical history error, unprofessional conduct, dishonesty, a breach of confidentiality, and arguing with a faculty or staff member.

 Minimum Number of Successful (75% or greater) Learning Experiences Required for Clinic I: 

Clinic I Course Requirements

Minimum Number of Required Case Types:			Minimum Number of Patient Care Experiences:
11	Case Type A	Perio I	1	Child Patient (age 12 and under)
4	Case Type B	Perio II	2	Adolescent Patient (age 13-17)
			2	Adult Patient (age 18 and up)
			1	Geriatric Patient (age 65 and up)
			1	Special Needs Patient

Comprehensive Dental Hygiene Services
Services	Minimum Requirements	Competency Required
Air Polishing Competency	1	Yes
Coronal Polishing Competency	1	Yes
Fluoride Competency	1	Yes
Desensitizing Competency	1	Yes
Ultrasonic Standard Straight Insert Competency	1	Yes
Sealants	8	Yes
BWX	5	Yes
Pano	5	Yes
Other Additional Competencies
Ethics Chapters	1	Yes
Professionalism Chapters	1	Yes
Medical Emergencies	1	Yes
Journaling	1	Yes
Entrance Exam	1	Yes
Exit Exam	1	Yes

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

AC Dental Hygiene Rotation Assignments:

Rotations that will be evaluated by faculty and kept in your blue folder:

It is your responsibility to bring your blue folder to your rotation and return it to the file box when your rotation is over.

• Office Assistant
• Sterilization
• Dental Assistant  

Rotation that will be Evaluated as Patient Care Assessment point value =5

• Screening Rotation

Rotation that will be evaluated by Clinical Faculty as Patient Care in TalEval:

• Chair Side Observation Rotation

Clinic Requirements and Grading Criteria

Please see the Grading Criteria in the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic Manual Regarding TalEval Grading System.  You may also refer to https://taleval.com/signin/aspx for more information.

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

Patient Treatment/TalEval IA                                                 35% Patient Treatment/TalEval IB                                                 35% Screening Assessments                                                            10% Radiographs                                                                           10% Competencies/Quizzes/Rotations                                           10%

 

Critical errors may drop a student's grade.  Examples of critical errors may include:  breach of infection control, critical Medical History error, dismissing or re-appointing a patient without faculty approval, unprofessional conduct toward a patient, student, or faculty/staff member, a breach of confidentiality, scheduling a fictitious patient(s) or phone number (s), canceling or moving a patient without the patient's permission and or faculty member, failure to accept a patient assignment from the front office supervisor and/or faculty, clocking in or out of the clinic/lab for a classmate.  

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. 

Radiograph Procedures:

5 Panoramic Radiographs (Competency Level of 75% or above)  Radiographs will be graded as outlined in the Program Manual.  Radiographs must be critiqued at the time of the appointment and are due at the end of the appointment. 

Ethics Chapters:  3,4,5. Quizzes will be Available in Blackboard and must be completed by May 3, 2018.

Professionalism Chapters:  4,5,6,7. Quizzes will be Available in Blackboard and must be completed by May 3, 2018.

Medical Emergency Chapters: 1,2,3,4. Quizzes will be Available in Blackboard and must be completed by May 3, 2018.

Journaling & Discussion Boards:  You will be responsible to Journal after every assigned clinical session.  Tuesdays Journal will be due every Wednesday at Midnight. Thursdays Journal will be due every Friday at Midnight.  Rubric for journaling is in Blackboard.  Journaling is mandatory in this course and will go towards a collaborative quiz grade.

Entrance Exams:  Will be completed by faculty utilizing the Evaluation Tool in Blackboard.  This evaluation must be completed by February 22, 2018.

Exit Examinations:  Will be completed by faculty utilizing the Evaluation Tool in Blackboard.  The evaluation must be completed by May 3, 2018.

All students are required to complete both an Entrance and Exit Examination with a competency level of 75% or higher in order to progress to Clinic II.  The examinations will include the demonstration of skills utilizing the following instruments:

Explorer 11/12	Nevi 4	H6/H7
Periodontal Probe	Nevi 2	204S
Barnhart 5/6	Mini Gracey 1/2	Gracey 13/14
YG 7/8	Gracey 11/12	Gracey 17/18

A student who does not achieve 75% competency on the Entrance and/or  Exit Examination must complete mandatory remediation and an opportunity to retest until 75% competency is achieved.  However, the original exam score will be counted in computation of the final grade.

 

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 course sessions regularly and promptly.  Without question, the clinical faculty expects each student to be present at each clinic/rotation assignment.  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 rotation(s) must be reported to the Clinic Coordinator first via email (Amanda Lester-Chisum> ajlester21@actx.edu) and then the Clinic Supervisor via email (Mitzi Leonard >m0067781@actx.edu), and also to Ms. Rachel Rubalcaba >r0128000@axtx.edu.    Mrs. Leonard’s number is 467-3099, and Ms. Rubalcaba's number is the same as the office 354-6050.   Each student is required to complete a minimum number of clinic hours and requirements in order to graduate from the dental hygiene program.  If a student does not report an absence, the student will be required to type a two page report on professionalism and turn in to the Clinic Coordinator as well as a Critical Error.   A Critical Error in TalEval will be given for each day the paper is late.   The deadline for submission of the paper is no later than 24 hours after the absenteeism.

Absences will be monitored and evaluated to determine a student's final clinic 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.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each clinic and rotation session.   Students who are not present when attendance is taken in Morning Report will be counted as absent.  A student will receive 2 bonus points to the final clinic grade for perfect attendance.  Arriving late or leaving clinic/rotation early will result in a critical error in TalEval. (Item #122)  In clinic, students must log in to the computer no later than 8:30 am and log out no earlier than 12:00 pm.  After lunch the student must log back in no later than 12:45 pm and log out no earlier than 4:00 pm as a record of his/her attendance.  Student’s that do not log in or out of Eaglesoft correctly will need to email Mrs. Leonard and request a correction.  You are allowed 5 corrections in a semester before you will receive 1 absent for the sixth correction.   Also, students who leave early without special permission from a faculty member will be counted as absent.  The clinic supervisor will monitor student time logged in at the computers in the clinic and will report this information to the faculty.  

Absences Defined:

• Critical Error in TalEval> Late= arriving after 8:30am but before 9:00am or after 12:45 but before 1:00pm.
• Absence in Blackboard>Absence=arriving after 9:00am or 1:00pm to begin patient care, or not present at all.

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

This website was created to assist Amarillo employees and students.  Many times, students come to us with individual concerns/situations that need to be addressed in order for the student to be successful in school.

This website can be used to find those needed resources for our students and their families.  Feel free to copy any of this information for a student and to refer students as needed.

Our goal is to provide as much information as possible for employees and students to be able to access campus and community resources when needed.  There are many more resources in this community that are not listed on these pages.  Some of these agencies and programs will change; so if you call and cannot get assistance or cannot access a broken link, please contact me for more updated information.

This website will be udpated as often as possible; therefore most will be current.  If the resources listed do not serve the needs you have or if you have any questions concerning this website, please call or email:  Jordan Herrera, LMSW, Coordinator of Social Services, 806-371-5439, http://jordan@actx.edu.