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Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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
Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
DHYG-2153-001 Dental Hygiene Practice
Emphasis on the laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, moral standards and the ethical standards established by the dental hygiene profession. Practice settings for the dental hygienist, office operations and preparation for employment.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
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:
Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me
You can also contact 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.
(1 sem hr; 1 lec)
On Campus Course
Students are required to have the most current edition of textbooks.
Technical Skills and Requirements
Students will need access to a laptop, computer, or tablet for quizzes, tests, and assignments.
Students are required to have regular, reliable access to a stable internet connection.
Students need to be proficient in sending and receiving emails with attachments, uploading documents, and participating in discussion boards.
Students are responsible for bringing their tablets or laptops to every class session. Please have the battery charged and ready to go. Students will need to ensure that the Respondus Lockdown Browser has been installed on the computer on the first day of class.
Utilize CTL resources for technical help. CTL Student Help Center: (806) 371-5992 or ctlstudenthelp@actx.edu
Communication
The best way to contact me is through your student email in Blackboard. I will check my emails Monday-Friday first thing in the morning and throughout the day as time allows. I will respond to your email within 24 hours. I will answer emails sent over the weekend the following Monday morning. Please remember the use of netiquette when corresponding to faculty, staff, and peers.
Other Supplies
Course Meeting Day and Time
Thursday 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Jones Hall Room 111)
Changes to the Syllabus and the Course: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the Syllabus and the course as deemed necessary. Any changes will be posted on the course's Blackboard Announcements page, and students will be notified by email.
End-of-Course Outcomes
Explain the Dental Practice Act governing the dental and dental hygiene profession; evaluate ethical and moral issues affecting dental hygiene practice; describe traditional and non-traditional dental hygiene practice settings; and prepare for employment.
Chapter Objectives
Chapter 1: Risk Management
After reading Chapter 1, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Describe the concept of risk management and its place in dental hygiene.
2. Identify strategies that can be used to identify and reduce risk in dental practice.
3. List the recommended dental record-keeping elements and describe practices to consider in maintaining dental documentation.
4. Distinguish between paper and electronic dental record keeping.
5. Discuss the role of verbal and nonverbal communication in the patient-provider relationship.
6. Explain how dental hygienists should manage their professional credentials and competency.
7. List recommendations for the appropriate use of social media, personally and professionally.
Chapter 2: Ethics and Professionalism
After reading Chapter 2, the dental hygiene student should be able to:
1. Describe the role of the dental hygienist in healthcare.
2. Explain the relationship between the healthcare provider and the patient.
3. Describe the aspects of a true profession as they apply to dentistry and dental hygiene.
4. Explain interprofessionalism and its impact on healthcare education and practice.
5. Discuss the theory of competence and skill acquisition for the dental hygienist.
6. Compare educational competencies and practice standards.
7. Identify the traits of a professional dental hygienist.
Chapter 3: Ethical Theory and Philosophy
After reading Chapter 3, the dental hygienist will be able to:
1. Explain the main components of moral growth.
2. Describe the theories of moral development and the role of cognitive growth.
3. Discuss the character and the contribution of character development to ethical conduct for the healthcare provider.
4. Compare the three theories of ethical thinking and give examples of each from oral health care.
Chapter 4: Ethical Principles and Values
After reading Chapter 4, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Identify the four fundamental ethical principles
2. Define autonomy, confidentiality, societal trust, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity.
3. Describe the difference between a choice and an ethical dilemma.
4. Explain the role of principles in the decision-making process of the dental hygienist.
5. Identify the components of informed consent.
6. Discuss the three types of informed consent.
7. Compare the values and ethical concepts that support the principles of ethics.
Chapter 5: Codes of Ethics
After reading Chapter 5, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Discuss the role of a code of ethics for the healthcare professions.
2. Explain the value of a professional code of ethics to the lay public.
3. Describe how a code of ethics can assist in the professional duty of self-regulation.
4. Compare the 1927 version and the current version of the ADHA Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists.
5. List and describe the nine sections identified under the Standards of Professional Responsibilities of the Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists.
6. Be familiar with the code of the American Dental Association.
Chapter 6: Ethical Decision-Making in Dental Hygiene and Dentistry
After reading Chapter 6, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Describe the difference between an issue of right and wrong and a true ethical dilemma.
2. Identify the goal of ethical decision-making in dental hygiene.
3. List the six steps provided in the ethical decision-making model.
4. List and discuss common ethical dilemmas for dental hygienists.
5. Apply the decision-making model to a hypothetical situation.
Chapter 7: Social Responsibility
After reading Chapter 7, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Describe the dental hygienist's role in meeting the public's oral healthcare needs.
2. Relate the importance of the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health to the profession of dental hygiene.
3. List several facts about oral health disparities in America.
4. Describe the issue of access to care and social responsibility.
5. Describe dental therapists and their role in addressing access to dental care.
6. Identify several strategies a dental hygienist can implement to strive for social justice.
Chapter 8: Society and the State Dental Practice Act
After reading Chapter 8, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Describe the state's role in governing healthcare professions.
2. Identify the provisions likely to be included in state statutory law for dental hygiene practice.
3. Describe the different categories of licenses available for dental hygiene licensure.
4. List why a dental hygiene license may be denied, suspended, restricted, or revoked.
5. Compare and contrast direct supervision, indirect supervision, general supervision, and independent practice.
6. Recognize the responsibility of the dental hygienist for understanding and observing the state statutory and regulatory provisions.
Chapter 9: Dental Hygienist-Patient Relationship
After reading Chapter 9, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Describe the professional obligation between the dental hygienist and the patient.
2. Recognize the difference between civil and criminal law in the United States.
3. Compare intentional torts and persons, intentional torts and property, and unintentional torts of negligence.
4. List and evaluate the rights and responsibilities of the dental hygienist in the provider-patient relationship.
5. State the patient's responsibilities when receiving oral health care.
6. Describe the elements of informed consent.
7. Define malpractice and contributory negligence.
Chapter 10: Dental Hygienist-Dentist Employer Relationship
After reading Chapter 10, the dental hygiene student will be able to:
1. Describe the legal parameters of the employer-employee relationship and state the two general employment categories.
2. Identify the recommended strategies for preparing for a dental hygiene employment interview.
3. List the items that can and cannot legally be asked during the application and interview process for a dental hygiene position.
4. Describe the federal laws prohibiting discrimination and protecting worker safety.
5. Explain the concepts of sexual harassment and hostile work environment in the dental practice setting.
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners Rules and Regulations
The student will know that these objectives have been completed if they earn a final course grade of "C" or higher, as evaluated by the instructor.
The standard for the objectives may be one or any combination of the following:
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".
The Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program has specific policies regarding student conduct, which may be implied or written. The course syllabi and program manual are sources for particular 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 while in the dental hygiene program. Professionalism includes appearance, asepsis, patient management, peer, faculty, and staff interaction, and documentation. Guidelines for professionalism and professional appearance are discussed in the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program Manual. Professionalism will be evaluated continually throughout the program.
Students will exhibit professional maturity and an acceptable level of clinical judgment, as determined by the faculty. Unprofessional behavior may be defined as a continual pattern of misconduct and/or an egregious act that endangers the health of patients, students, faculty, and/or the college. Documentation may also include reporting via the Amarillo College Student Behavior Alert form with the college.
Students must be competent in applying the principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and professional responsibility as they pertain to patient care. Dental hygienists should understand and practice moral behavior consistent with the professional code of ethics throughout their educational experiences. Below are representative examples of professional standards that are not inclusive:
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 must constantly 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 exceptional circumstances, dental hygiene professionals have a clear duty to maintain the confidentiality of ALL patient information.
Breach of duty to hold such information in the strictest confidence may result in liability for the individual student, including fines, imprisonment, and dismissal from the program. The American Dental Hygienists' Association has published the following statement: All dental hygiene professionals (including students) must always follow the "Code of Ethics."
"We respect the confidentiality of client information and relationships to demonstrate our value on individual autonomy. We acknowledge our obligation to justify any violation of confidence."
Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy
Cell phones and other electronic devices may detract from the learning environment. Students will put their phones on silent and leave them out of view before entering the classroom. Personal cell phone use is not permitted in the classroom. Cell phones may be checked at designated break times. Students who choose to violate the cell phone policy in class will receive a 0 for the work assigned for the day.
Mailboxes
Each student is assigned a mailbox inside the locker room. Students are required to check their mailboxes daily for various communications from the faculty.
Bulletin Board
First and second-year dental hygiene students have designated areas on a shared 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: (806) 354-6050
Amarillo College Police: (806) 371-5163
Academic Grievance Procedure
A student who has a grievance concerning an academic course in which they are 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/Division Committee (5) Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs (6) Vice President of Academic Affairs and (7) College President in that order.
The final course grade will be computed as follows:
Weekly Chapter Tests: 30%
Homework Assignments: 10%
Resume: 10%
Mid-Term Exam: 25%
Final Examination: 25%
The following course grade scale applies throughout this course:
A = 93-100
B = 83-92
C= 75-82
F= Below 75
Note: A " D " grade is impossible in this course.
To pass the course, a student must achieve a final grade of 75% and meet all requirements for the course.
Course Requirements and Learning Activities:
Assignments are designed to help you with the subject matter of this course. The course calendar and related handouts indicate all assignments' due dates and times. Students need to make note of these dates and times with consideration that late assignments will not be accepted, and a zero will be issued for a late submission.
Assignments and Examinations
The course will consist of weekly chapter tests, homework assignments, professional resume preparation utilizing the AC Career Services, a mid-term exam, and a final examination.
Faculty Assistance
All students are considered mature enough to seek the course director's assistance and monitor their progress in meeting course requirements. If you have any questions concerning assignments, content, etc., or a problem that warrants instructor help, please do not hesitate to call or email me to schedule an appointment. I prefer to work with a scheduled appointment to devote the time and attention necessary to meet each student's needs.
Make-up Policy for Missed Work
Suppose a student is absent on the day a significant examination is given. In that case, the student may make up the missed work as follows: The student must arrange with the instructor to reschedule the examination within 24 hours of returning from the absence.
Electronic Testing Procedures:
In this course, all tests will be administered electronically through the Blackboard Ultra platform. Students must bring their own fully charged tablets or laptops to each scheduled test to facilitate a smooth testing process. Testing will utilize the Respondus LockDown Browser, so please ensure it is installed on your device beforehand. All students must submit their completed tests on Blackboard before closing their laptops and leaving the classroom. Failure to submit within the designated time frame may result in a grade penalty. Upholding academic integrity is paramount in this course, and any form of cheating, plagiarism, or unauthorized collaboration during tests will be strictly addressed under the AC Rights and Responsibilities policies. By participating in electronic testing, students acknowledge and agree to comply with these procedures.
Attendance Policy
"Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the student's responsibility to attend class according to the course's requirements as established by the instructor." (Amarillo College Student's Rights and Responsibilities Publication). Absences will be monitored and evaluated to determine the student's final course grade. A student with less than 90% attendance in class or lab may fail the course. Student absenteeism jeopardizes the completion of the course. The instructor will take a roll for each class and note absences for each student. Students who are not present for roll call are counted absent. Students must report any anticipated class/lab absence to the instructor. A student who leaves class or lab early is counted absent.
A student will receive ONE bonus point to the final grade for perfect attendance with a prior passing minimum average of 75%.
DHYG 2153 - Dental Hygiene Practice
2025 Spring Semester
Month
| Day | Chapter and Topics Covered |
January | 16 | Review the Course Syllabus and Overview of the Course Reading: Chapter 1: Risk Management Complete Homework Assignments |
January | 23 | Chapter Test 1 Reading: Chapter 2: Ethics and Professionalism Complete Homework Assignments |
January
| 30 | Chapter Test 2 Reading: Chapter 3: Ethical Theory and Philosophy Complete Homework Assignments |
February | 6 | Chapter Test 3 Reading: Chapter 4: Ethical Principles and Values Complete Homework Assignments |
February | 13 | Chapter Test 4 Reading: Chapter 5: Code of Ethics Complete Homework Assignments |
February | 20 | Chapter Test 5 Reading: Chapter 6: Ethical Decision-Making in Dental Hygiene and Dentistry Complete Homework Assignments |
February 29 | 27 | Chapter Test 6 Reading: Chapter 7: Social Responsibility Complete Homework Assignments |
March | 6 | Chapter Test 7 Reading: Chapter 8: Society and the State Dental Practice Act Complete Homework Assignments |
March | 13 | Spring Break
|
March | 20 | Mid-Term Exam Chapters 1-8 |
March | 27 | Reading: Chapter 9: Dental Hygienist - Patient Relationship Complete Homework Assignments |
April | 3 | Chapter Test 9 Reading: Chapter 10: Dental Hygienist-Dentist Employer Relationship Complete Homework Assignments |
April | 10 | Chapter Test 10 Reading: Dental Practice Act Complete Homework Assignments Practice Case Studies and Testlets |
April | 17 | Reading: Dental Practice Act Complete Homework Assignments Practice Case Studies and Testlets Resume Due |
April | 24 | Reading: Dental Practice Act Complete Homework Assignments Practice Case Studies and Testlets |
May | 1 | Reading: Dental Practice Act Complete Homework Assignments Practice Case Studies and Testlets |
May | 5 | Comprehensive Final Exam Jones Hall Room 111 1:00 - 4:00 pm
|
The Amarillo College Catalog
The Amarillo College Academic Catalog can be viewed at: http://catalog.actx.edu.
https://www.actx.edu/resources/
This website can be used to find those needed resources for Amarillo College students and their families.
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, Jordan Herrera, for more updated information.
The website will be updated 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, jordan@amarillocollege.com
01/06/25 2:00 PM
01/13/25 7:44 PM