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Dental Hygiene
Registered dental hygienists are licensed oral health care professionals. Dental hygienists provide preventive services that limit the extent of cavities and periodontal disease, as well as promote the overall health and well-being of the oral environment and head and neck region.
The dental hygiene program is accredited until 2010 by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
To be eligible for admission, candidates must have:
* Students enrolled in a quarter academic calendar must complete the required sequence of courses which are equivalent to University of Mississippi courses. ** One course in anatomy plus one course in physiology or anatomy and physiology combined for two courses.
In addition to tuition, students should be prepared to spend $1,500 the first year and $800 the second year at the University of Mississippi Medical Center for necessary books, uniforms and instruments. Additional expenses include a specific laptop computer, which is required the first year for the students’ clinical experiences, approximate cost $2,200; and licensure testing fees during the senior year, approximately $1,300. Specified laptop computers are ordered for the students upon acceptance into the program and should not be purchased in advance.
Following satisfactory completion of all requirements students will be awarded the bachelor of science in dental hygiene from the University of Mississippi and will be eligible to apply to sit for national and state or regional board clinical examinations for certification and licensure as registered dental hygienists. Click here for the 2009 application.
One class is admitted each fall. Application deadlines vary from program to program and are subject to change. For information regarding the application deadline, contact (601) 984-1080. All applicants pay a nonrefundable application fee of $25. Applications may be obtained from the Office of Student Records and Registrar, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39216-4505. Applications for Financial Assistance Applications for financial assistance and a packet containing the Student Financial Aid Handbook and other information will be sent to applicants accepted for admission upon receipt of the required deposit and letter of acceptance. A student should not apply for loans until an official letter of acceptance has been received. Applicants who will need financial assistance should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Students wishing to apply for aid at UMMC must: apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) online at www.pin.ed.gov , complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov (using UMMC's Federal School Code number 004688), and complete Entrance Counseling online at www.nelliemae.com . This must be done prior to 31 March in order to be eligible for priority consideration for financial aid. Since verbal and written communication skills are vital to success in the academic programs in the School of Health Related Professions, applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination and to demonstrate competence in written and spoken English. Information on the TOEFL examination may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540.
Preference is given in admission to programs to qualified applicants who are legal residents of Mississippi. Disclaimer Please Note: Prospective students should contact the Office of the Student Records and Registrar or the SHRP Department (see Contacts) for current information regarding application information, prerequisites, program requirements, or tuition and fees.
Professional
Course of Study in Dental Hygiene CURRICULUM Required courses and course descriptions are summarized below:
JUNIOR YEAR
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
DH 301 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH. An introduction to research design emphasizing systematic investigation involving human subjects as it relates to data collection, analysis and interpretation of findings. Emphasis is on critical review of dental hygiene literature studies and their application to clinical practice. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH305. PATIENT CARE SERVICES. This course focuses on the application of dental hygiene theory, periodontal instrumentation, oral health education; and assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care ser-vices. Corequisite: DH318 (2 semester hours) (0-2-0) DH 306. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN THE DENTAL OFFICE. A comprehensive study in the prevention, management, recognition, treatment, and disposition of medical emergencies will be presented. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 312. ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION. An introductory study of methods and materials used in teaching oral health with emphasis on plaque control and patient risk assessment. Familiarization with common dental intraoral procedures and motivational techniques are included. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 313. RADIOLOGY. Didactic portion includes the physics, generation, biology, safety, and imaging principles of ionizing radiation used in dentistry. Techniques for exposure, processing, evaluation, and interpretation of normal and abnormal structures are taught for both digital and film-based image capture. In the laboratory paralleling technique and panoramic surveys are emphasized. (4 semester hours) (3-1-0) DH 315 ORAL HISTOLOGY, EMBRYOLOGY AND DENTAL MORPHOLOGY. Study of the histology of teeth and surrounding structures; the elements of embryology, specific to the development of the structures of the head and neck; and dental anatomy and physiology with focus on tooth development, anatomical differences and basic dental occlusion. (5 semester hours) (4-1-0) DH 318. DENTAL HYGIENE THEORY. The theory of dental hygiene, infection control standards, and dental hygiene process of care is taught with emphasis on the parts of the dental hygiene assessment and instrumentation. Corequisites: DH305 (4 semester hours) (3-1-0) DH 321. HEAD AND NECK ANATOMY. This course presents a detailed study of the skeletal, muscular, vascular and neural features of the head and neck. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH326. PATIENT CARE THEORY I. This course will expand on dental hygiene theory and clinical procedures through lecture and laboratory sessions. Ethics and ethical dilemmas related to dental hygiene and healthcare, additional clinical instrumentation techniques and application of auxiliary procedures will be covered. Prerequisites: Fall Junior year courses. (2 semester hours) (1-1-0) DH 327. PATIENT CARE I. The focus will be on the development and application of clinical skills in assessment, care plans, implementation and evaluation of care. Corequisite: DH326 (2 semester hours) (0-0-2) DH 331. PERIODONTICS I. This course provides an introduction to periodontics. The focus is on biological and clinical aspects of periodontology including histopathology, etiology and diagnosis and treatment planning of periodontal diseases. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 336. BIOMATERIALS OF DENTISTRY. This course is designed to introduce the student to biomaterials employed in dentistry. Techniques and materials utilized in the clinical environment will be practiced in the Dental Hygiene Theory I lab. Prerequisites: All courses in previous semester. Corequisites: All courses in junior spring semester. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 405. PATIENT CARE II. In this course the student will expand on the application of patient care to a diversified population. Emphasis will also be on establishing competence in preventive and therapeutic procedures. Prerequisites: DH326 and DH327 Corequisite DH418 (3 semester hours) ( 0-0-3) DH 412. PHARMACOLOGY. This course is a basic introduction to drug actions and their mechanisms when introduced to the body under specific conditions and the reactions of the body to these drugs. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0) DH 416. ORAL PATHOLOGY. This is a study of the definition, distribution, causality, resolution, and outcomes of pathological conditions affecting the head and neck with emphasis on the oral and perioral areas. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0). DH 418. PATIENT CARE THEORY II. The clinical and case management of patients with special needs will be presented, with continued discussion on ethical issues. Prerequisites: All courses in previous semester. Co-rerequisites: All courses in the senior fall semester. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 429. PRACTICE MANAGEMENT. This course will cover dental office practice and procedures; the importance of business methods in a profession, record systems including computer applications, accounting and collection of fees, resume development and interviewing skills. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0) DH 431. PERIODONTICS II. This course will build on the foundation knowledge presented in Histology and Periodontology with emphasis on recognition, therapeutic surgical and non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease. Prerequisites: DH331 and DH327 (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 432. PATIENT CARE THEORY III. This course will continue to present theoretical, practical and ethical concepts in dental hygiene. Content on dental specialties and dental/dental hygiene jurisprudence will be studied. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 433. PATIENT CARE III. This course is a continuation of comprehensive Patient Care Services with emphasis on establishing entry-level competence in preventive and therapeutic procedures. (4 semester hours) (0-0-4) DH 435. COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH I. An introduction to the history, principles, and ethics of dental public health. Included are theories and techniques of health promotion and disease prevention, distribution of oral diseases, principles of dental epidemiology, and the use of dental indexes. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 436. ORAL HEALTH ISSUES. This course provides an investigation of oral health issues through literature reviews on specific topics. (2 semester hours) (2-0-0) DH 437. COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH II. This course will provide a continuation of the didactic knowledge and skills obtained in DH435 Community Dental Health I. Selected readings, discussion and practical experiences related to planning, implementation and evaluation of the teaching/learning process in community settings will occur. (2 semester hours) (1-1-0) HS 490. SPECIAL TOPICS: Interdisciplinary elective. Content varies. Consent of the student’s professional department is required. (Credit hours to be assigned)
American
Dental Hygienists' Association |
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Copyright © 2004 The University of Mississippi Medical Center. All Rights Reserved. This page last modified on June 23, 2008 |
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Dental hygienists assess general and oral health by using a variety of diagnostic aids (comprehensive health histories, head, neck and oral examinations, radiographs and indices). Using the information obtained from the assessment process, the hygienist develops a care plan in conjunction with the patient’s goals and needs, provides oral health education and performs preventive (fluorides, sealants) and therapeutic services (non-surgical periodontal therapy) according to individual needs. Baccalaureate graduates are employed as clinical practitioners, educators, researchers, administrators, managers, preventive program developers, and consultants. Registered (licensed) dental hygienists practice according to the requirements of individual state dental practice acts.