Community Dentistry Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
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 Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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.

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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.

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-1215-001 Community Dentistry

Prerequisites

Course Description

The principles and concepts of community public health and dental health education emphasizing community assessment, educational planning, implementation and evaluation including methods and materials used in teaching dental health education in various community settings.

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:

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.

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 1 lec 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Students are required to have the most current edition of textbooks.

1. Dental Public Health and Research-Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist,  Christine Nielsen Nathe, 4th edition, Pearson, 2017
2. Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing

Supplies

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.

Computers can break, servers can crash, and electric power can go out. It is your responsibility to identify solutions for unexpected catastrophes by thinking ahead about solutions to potential problems. Possible solutions for each of the above scenarios include using a friend or relative's computer and accessing a computer in one of the computer labs on campus. Students will be responsible for bringing their tablets or laptops to every class session. Please have the battery charged up and ready to go. Students will need to ensure that the Respondus Lockdown Browser has been installed on the computer.

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

1. Library Card for AC and/or city library

2. Computer and Internet  Access, Printer, Print Cartridges

3. Index Cards, Paper, Pens, Markers

4. Additional Materials as Needed
 

Student Performance

Course Meeting Day and Time

        Tuesday     1:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Jones Hall Room 111)

End-of-Course Outcomes

Design a dental hygiene program plan that meets the needs of a target population; categorize the governmental, sociological, environmental, and cultural concerns of the community; and describe the principles and concepts of community public and dental health education and evaluation.

Participation and Instructor Help

Learning activities in this course are designed to enhance the understanding of concepts. As a student, you are expected to prepare in advance for these sessions and to participate in an appropriate manner. All students are considered mature enough to ask questions and to seek help and assistance from faculty and encouraged to ask questions during class sessions.

Course Objectives

Chapter One:  Dental Public Health:  An Overview

1.  Define public health

2.  Describe the evolution of public health science and practice

3.  Define dental public health

4.  Describe factors affecting dental public health

Chapter Two:  The Prevention Movement

1.  Describe the history of dental hygiene in relation to dental public health

2.  Define the historical development and mission of the American Dental Hygienists' Association

3.  List and describe the current public health preventive modalities practiced today

4.  Defend the need for preventive modalities in dental public health practice

Chapter Three:  Dental Care Delivery in the United States

1.  Describe the state of dental health in the United States

2.  Identify the government agencies related to dental hygiene

3.  Compare the functions of federal, state, and local government in dental care delivery

4.  Describe dental workforce issues

5.  Define need, supply, demand, and utilization

Chapter Four:  Dental Hygiene Care Delivery in the Global Community

1.  Describe the evolution of dental hygiene in countries other than the United States

2.  Identify global oral health challenges and the positioning of dental hygiene care

3.  Describe the global workforce distribution and access to dental hygiene care

4.  Explain global dental hygiene education and work roles

5.  Explain professional regulation models

6.  Describe portability of licensure and other professions providing care

7.  List and define the intentional professional organizations involving dental hygiene

Chapter Five:  Financing of Dental Care

1.  Describe current methods of payment for dental care

2.  Define and apply terminology associated with financing dental care

3.  Identify the different insurance plans available for dental care

4.  Describe the role of the government in financing dental care

Chapter Six:  Federal and State Legislation Affecting Dental Hygiene Practice

1.  Explain the legislative process in the United States

2.  Identify the major bodies of the law in the United States

3.  Describe the entity responsible for the regulation of the dental hygienist

4.  Advocate for the utilization of a dental hygienist without restrictive barriers

5.  Describe the legislative  initiative affecting dental hygienists in the United States

Chapter Seven:  Advocacy for Dental Care

1.  Identify four roles that the dental hygienist can assume as an agent of change

2.  Describe the various levels of change agent performance

3.  Utilize tools and resource models to implement change

4.  Identify the role of the change agent in policymaking

5.  Promote partnership  and coalition development

6.  Describe inter-and intraprofessional collaborations

7.  Identify components of grant writing

Chapter Eight:  Dental Health Education and Promotion:

1.  Define dental health education and promotion

2.  Describe health education and promotion principles

3.  Describe the involvement of the population's  values in behavior

4.  Outline different learning and motivation theories

Chapter Nine:  Lesson Plan Development

1.  Explain the dental hygiene process of care

2.  Describe the process of lesson plan development

3.  Develop goals and objectives for a lesson plan

4.  Describe learning levels and domains

5.  Identify and describe teaching methods

6.  Identify characteristics of an effective teacher

7.  Develop a lesson plan

Chapter Ten:  Target Populations

1.  Define target populations to whom dental hygienists may provide services

2.  Describe faith-based initiatives

3.  Define target profiles

4.  Identify barriers to dental hygiene care

5.  Identify governmental resources for target populations

Chapter Eleven:  Cultural Competency

1.  Describe how cultural values regarding health care can affect oral health habits

2.  Identify how culture influences people

3.  Describe cultural diversity in the United States

4.  Define cultural competency and its significance in treating a culturally diverse population

Chapter Twelve:  Program Planning

1.  Define the dental hygiene process of care program planning paradigm

2.  Describe the various program planning paradigms

3.  Describe various dental public health programs

4.  Develop a dental public health program plan

Chapter Thirteen:  Program Evaluation

1.  Describe the mechanisms of program evaluation

2.  Compare qualitative and quantitative evaluation

3.  Identify various dental indexes and define their  purposes

4.  List the governmental evaluation resources for oral health

Chapter Fourteen:  Research in Dental Hygiene

1.  Explain the purpose of dental hygiene research

2.  Describe the role of research in dental hygiene

3.  Discuss the use of evidence-based practice in dental hygiene

4.  Explain the connection between research and private practice

5.  Describe the role of research in professional development

Chapter Fifteen:  Ethical Principles in Research

1.  Describe the evolution of ethics in research

2.  Define common ethical principle  terminologies

3.  Describe the role of ethics in research

4.  Identify the role of government and private entities in research

Chapter Sixteen:  The Research Process

1.  Describe and compare various research approaches

2.  Describe various research designs used in oral epidemiology

3.  Describe methods used to conduct research studies

4.  List the parts of a research design

Chapter Seventeen:  Biostatistics

1.  Define and describe data analysis and interpretation

2.  Identify data by their type and scale of measurement

3.  Define and describe descriptive, correlation, and inferential statistics

4.  Select and compute appropriate measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion for various types of data

5.  Describe and construct frequency distributions and graphs for various types of data

6.  Identify and describe a study's research (alternate) hypothesis, null hypothesis, and the process involved with making a statistical decision

7.  Interpret correlation statistics

8.  Select appropriate inferential statistical tests for various types of data

9.  Interpret research results

Chapter Eighteen:  Oral Epidemiology

1.  Define oral epidemiology and describe the uses of epidemiology

2.  Relate epidemiology to evidence-based practice

3.  Define common epidemiologic terms

4.  Relate measurement to epidemiology

5.  List and describe various publications that report oral epidemiology in the United States

6.  Apply surveillance data to the planning of strategies to improve oral health

7.  Compare and contrast various types of epidemiologic studies and the usefulness of the results of the studies

8.  Describe ways to increase the validity of epidemiologic research methods

Chapter Nineteen:  Current Oral Epidemiological Findings

1.  Describe the current epidemiological issues of disease and conditions

2.  Describe the current risk factors of diseases

3.  Describe prevention by dental care utilization

Chapter Twenty:  Evaluation of Scientific Literature and Dental Products

1.  Describe how to evaluate dental care products

2.  Defend the dental hygienists' value in advocating the use of effective dental care products and treatment modalities

3.  Educate the public in evaluating dental care products

4.  Effectively critique dental research reported in dental and lay publications

Chapter Twenty One:  Careers in Dental Public Health

1.  Describe dental public health careers

2.  Identify various governmental careers in dental public health

3.  Define dental hygiene positions in a variety of settings

Chapter Twenty Two:  Strategies for Creating Dental Hygiene Positions in Dental Public Health Settings

1.  List the populations most in need of dental hygiene care

2.  Describe the paradigm for creating a dental hygiene position

3.  Develop a protocol for a newly developed dental hygiene position

Chapter Twenty Three:  Dental Public Health Review

1.  Describe the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination dental public health format

2.  Identify topics that may appear on this examination

3.  Identify strategies for studying for the dental public health section of the boards

4.  Review sample test items

5. Utilize critical thinking skills to take a mock NBDHE examination consisting of community cases for practice and increase the level of personal confidence in preparing for the NBDHE

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

The Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program has specific policies that apply to student conduct within the program. These policies may be implied or written. The course syllabi 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 while in the dental hygiene program. 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 Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program Manual. Professionalism will be evaluated on a continual basis throughout the program.

Students will exhibit professional maturity and an acceptable level of clinical judgment as determined by faculty. 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. Documentation may also include reporting via the Amarillo College Student Behavior Alert form with the college.

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 the educational experiences. Below are representative examples of professional standards which are not inclusive:

• Students concerned with excellence in learning rather than just meeting minimal criteria.
• Students maintain composure, dealing with conflict in a constructive manner.
• Students exhibit 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 by another faculty member.

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 the confidentiality of ALL patient information.  

Breach of 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. The American Dental Hygienists' Association has published the following statement which all dental hygiene professionals must always follow "Code of Ethics."

"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."

Mandatory Skills Building/Tutoring

To increase student success in the DHYG courses and assist students with 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. 

Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

Cell phones and other electronic devices may detract from the learning environment; For this reason, phones should be silenced and put away out of view before entering the classroom. The personal use of cell phones during class is not permitted. Cell phones may be checked at designated break times. Students who choose to violate the cell phone policy in class will receive a 0 in the grade book for the day.  

Mailboxes

Each student is assigned a mailbox located inside the student locker room. Students are required to check their mailbox daily for various communication 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 he or she is enrolled is directed to appeal in the following order to the:  (1)  Instructor (2)  Department Chair/Program Director (3)  Assistant Dean of Health Sciences (4) Dean of Health Sciences (5) Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs (6) Vice President of Academic Affairs and (7) President in that order.

Grading Criteria

Course Requirements and Learning Activities

The due date and time for all assignments are indicated in the course calendar and related handouts.  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, a mid-term exam,  community lab projects, homework assignments which include adaptive quizzing, online CE assignments from the Crest website www.dentalcare.com and a community dentistry Mock-Board final examination.   Refer to the course calendar for the schedule of material to be covered and the examination dates. Also, please note the provisions of the Make-Up Policy in this syllabus for missed examinations. 

Specific instructions  and rubrics  regarding Lab Project Assignments and due dates  are located in the Content Section of your Blackboard and include the following:

• Interdisciplinary/Inter-Professional Communication Project 
• Self Project ( Must get prior faculty approval before proceeding with the project) and Presentation 
• Epidemiology Research Paper
• Community Service Lab Project Hours and Journal

Grading Criteria

• Chapter Tests,  20%
• Community Service Lab Projects and Journal 15%
• Epidemiology Research Paper 10 % 
• Development of a Community Dental Health Program (Self-Project) 15%
• Homework Assignments  5%
• Mid-Term Exam  20%
• Final Exam (Community Mock Board)  15 % 

The following grade scale applies through this course:

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

In order to pass the course, a student must achieve a final grade of 75% and meet all requirements for the course. 

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy

The Tutoring for Success Policy applies to any student whose grade or performance falls below a minimum of 75% on any assigned assessment. The student will be required to complete mandatory remediation assigned by the course instructor.  A student will receive a remediation ticket with the instructor keeping the duplicate copy. Students will be required to complete a hand-written adaptive quiz assignment and turn it in the following week after being assigned. Remediation will not change the student's grade. The initial grade will stand. The purpose of remediation is to strengthen the content area the student failed.  

Make-up Policy for Missed Work
If a student is absent on the day when a major examination is given, the student may make up the missed work as follows:

1. 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.
2. The missed work must be made up within TWO Amarillo College school days where the day ends at 4:00 pm.
3. The makeup work may earn a maximum of 80% of the original point value.

Attendance

"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).  Absences are 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 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%. 

Calendar

Additional Information

Dental Hygiene Laboratory Manager

Ashlie Lang, RDH, BS