Dental Hygiene (BS)

Catalog Year

2022-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

81

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Online

Accreditation

CODA

Commission on Dental Accreditation

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Required General Education

Four required general education courses must be completed before applying to the major. The fifth course must be completed before starting the Major Common Core courses in the program.

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Choose 3 Credit(s).

Overview of the nature and characteristics of human societies; the structure and processes of social life; impact of social forces on individuals and groups; interdependence of society and the individual; emphasis on cultural diversity and globalism.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A critical description and analysis of selected social problems, with an emphasis on the sociological perspective, critical thinking, roots of group inequality, and exploration of solutions and alternatives to existing social problems.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Choose 3 Credit(s).

A course designed to improve students' understanding in communication, including the areas of interpersonal, nonverbal, listening, small group and public speaking.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1B

A course in communication principles to develop skills in the analysis and presentation of speeches.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1B

Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).

Basic descriptive and inferential statistics used in the analysis of sociological data.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-04

An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P. 

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04

Prerequisites to the Major

Nutrition - Choose 3 Credit(s). Must be completed before starting the Major Common Core courses in the program.

An introductory nutrition class which emphasizes the scientific method and natural science principles from biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences to explain the relationships between food and its use by the human body for energy, regulation, structure, and optimal health. GE-3 non-lab

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

The science of six nutrient classes, including digestion through metabolism, and application of nutrition knowledge to clinical care, including weight control and common chronic conditions requiring nutrition therapy.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 106 or CHEM 111

Science Prerequisites - *Any three courses in Biology and Chemistry must be completed before applying to the major. The fourth course must be completed before starting the Major Common Core courses in the program.

Biology I

Systems approach to the structure of the human body. The course is designed for students majoring in biology or health related programs. Lab included.

Prerequisites: none

An introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. Lab included. Prereq: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201 

Goal Areas: GE-03

Biology II - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. Designed for majors that do not require a strong medical and research emphasis. Includes an active learning laboratory to facilitate learning the complex lecture material.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201

Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201

Chemistry - Choose 3 - 5 Credit(s).

This course covers fundamental concepts required to understand the general chemistry in living organisms. This is a non-laboratory class. This chemistry course will not prepare students for any Chemistry course at or above the 200 level.

Prerequisites: Student must demonstrate math placement requirements at or above MATH 112 in the placement chart. See Mathematics for details.

Goal Areas: GE-03

This course is an introduction to organic chemistry and biological chemistry. The laboratory will reinforce lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 106 or high school chemistry 

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Dental Hygiene Prerequisites - DHYG 100 and one additional DHYG course must be completed before applying to the major. The second and third course must be completed before starting the Major Common Core courses in the program.

Dental Hygiene

This course will give the student an introduction to Dental Hygiene as a profession and career. Exploration of dental hygiene practice and an overview of the dental hygiene curriculum and conceptual framework will be covered.

Prerequisites: none

Head and Neck Anatomy is the study of the hard and soft tissues of the head and neck including bones, muscles, nerves, blood supply, glands and how they function. Oral Histology is the study of cells and cell layers which compose basic tissues, oral mucosa, gingival and dentogingival tissues, orofacial structures, enamel, dentin and pulp.Prereq: Admission into the Dental Hygiene Program

Prerequisites: none

Pharmacology is the study of drugs used in dentistry or medicine for the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of disease.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 106 or CHEM 111

This course includes the study of the permanent, mixed and primary dentitions including each individual tooth's morphology, function and occlusion.

Prerequisites: none

Major Common Core

This course includes an introduction to dental terminology and clinical aspects of dental hygiene treatment including care and use of equipment/instruments, infection control and preparation of patient records.

Prerequisites: none

This course will teach the operative techniques needed to perform oral prophylactic procedures and health education through laboratory/clinical practice.

Prerequisites: none

This course includes production of dental radiographs, physics of x-radiation, biologic effects, interpretation, processing, mounting, and laboratory practice on mannequins and patients. Special attention is given to infection control, safety precautions, and patient selection.

Prerequisites: none

This course is the first of two courses that studies the fundamental elements, purposes and uses of dental materials in the modern dental office. In addition it will give the dental hygiene student a fundamental understanding and skill level of basic dental assisting techniques utilized in the dental office.

Prerequisites: none

This course is the second of two courses that studies the fundamental elements, purposes and uses of the materials used in the modern dental office. The student will develop laboratory or clinical competency in functions using dental materials that are legal duties for Minnesota dental hygienists.

Prerequisites: none

This course will include a study of supporting tooth structures, identification, classification, etiology, progression and treatment of periodontal diseases.

Prerequisites: none

This course will study the normal anatomical features from intraoral and extraoral radiographs. Students will then use this knowledge to intrepret what is seen on radiographs to discern normal from abnormal. Intrepretation of dental caries, periodontal disease and pathology are among the topics this course will cover.

Prerequisites: none

Oral Embryology encompasses development of human body from conception through birth, with a focus on development of the face and hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Oral Pathology addresses the causes and mechanisms of disease with special emphasis on common oral lesions and neoplasms, stressing their etiology and clinical manifestations.

Prerequisites: none

This course provides an opportunity for dental hygiene students to develop their roles as educators, clinicians, consumer advocates, change agents, researchers, and administrators in a clinical setting.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to reinforce topics covered in DHYG 311 through the use of advanced case studies. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based decision making. Also designed to collaborate with clinic needs as identified in DHYG 331.

Prerequisites: none

This course offers the student continued practice of dental hygiene treatment procedures in the Minnesota State Mankato Dental Clinic.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to equip the dental hygiene students with the skills necessary to manage a dental computer software program. A focus on networking, dental resourse codes and insurance protocol will also be covered.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to be a study of the fundamental elements, purposes, and uses of local anesthesia for the dental hygienist.

Prerequisites: none

This course offers the student continued practice of dental hygiene treatment procedures in the Minnesota State Mankato Dental Clinic. It includes several mandatory off-campus experiences.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on clinical procedures, educational techniques and legal and ethical issues as they apply to the patient- dental hygiene provider relationship.

Prerequisites: none

The course is designed to be a study of the fundamental elements, purposes and uses of nitrous oxide sedation in the practice of dental hygiene. This course meets the educational criteria established by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.

Prerequisites: none

This course introduces second year dental hygiene students to the disciplines and basic principles of community dental health, epidemiologic methods and biostatistical measurement analysis. Preventive oral health measures and program development is included to provide a background for the practical application of dental public health methods to the community. This course is an upper division writing intensive course for the traditional dental hygiene program.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on legal and ethical issues as applied to the patient dental hygiene provider relationship.

Prerequisites: none

Didactic and clinical study of etiology, diagnosis, preventive and therapeutic procedures involved with periodontal disease.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to prepare the dental hygiene student in the use of new technologies in the modern dental office. Students will learn to integrate these new technologies into the teledentistry model.

Prerequisites: none

This course offers the student continued practice of dental hygiene treatment procedures in the Minnesota State Mankato Dental Clinic. It includes several mandatory off-campus experiences.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on the development of a personal sense of responsibility for the well-being and development of one's workplace from an employee perspective.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on the role of dental hygiene practitioners in promoting optimal oral health at the individual level and in the community.

Prerequisites: none

The course is designed to provide the dental hygiene practitioner with a survey of common medical disorders that may be encountered in a dental practice. The medical problems are organized to provide a brief overview of the basic disease process, etiology, incidence, prevalence, behavior characteristics, medications and oral manifestations commonly presented by the dental patients. As a result of the accumulation of evidence based research, the dental hygiene practitioner will be provided with an understanding of the disease, recognize the severity of the common medical disorders and make a dental management decision providing the patient with the highest possible level of oral health.

Prerequisites: none

The first of two clinical courses designed to utilize the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation process in a community based setting. This course will address efforts to reduce incidence and severity of oral diseases resulting in improved access to community oral health in complex cases.

Prerequisites: none

This is the second of two clinical courses designed to utilize the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation process in a community based setting. This course will address efforts to reduce incidence and severity of oral diseases resulting in improved access to community oral health in complex cases.

Prerequisites: none

This course meets the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry for dental hygienists and assistants to legally perform new expanded duties including the placement, contouring and adjustment of amalgam, glass ionomer and composite restorations and the placement and adjustment of stainless steel crowns.

Prerequisites: none

General Electives

Study Abroad - Choose 0 - 6 Credit(s). These courses are optional and may not be offered each year/semester.

Concepts of Global Citizenship and Intercultural Competency are desired attributes of future health care professionals. Students will self-assess their cultural knowledge in preparation for international travel. Interacting with individuals from different cultural backgrounds will provide the opportunity for students to become aware of their own cultural understanding and improve critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Through travel and experiential learning, the students will begin to develop the capacity to identify, discuss and reflect upon the ethical challenges presented in political, social, and personal lives to understand diverse world views of social justice and common good.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Gold

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to first hand experience in providing dental hygiene services through a study abroad opportunity. This course centers on an international week long service learning project in a foreign country. Most of our time and effort will be spent providing dental hygiene treatment. This course will also address ethics, cultural issues, standard of care issues, as well as challenges in providing dental hygiene care in a foreign country.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Other Graduation Requirements

Online Dental Hygiene Program
Program restricted to licensed dental hygienists and students in a 2-year dental hygiene program. See admission policy for details.

Identify clinical skills and knowledge needed to improve effectiveness as a dental hygienist. Areas addressed: ultrasonic implementation using multiple types of devices, risk factor analysis, comprehensive treatment planning, Periscope (endoscope), carbide/diamond files, advanced instrumentation techniques, patient management, case presentation.

Prerequisites: none

Topics included but not be limited to: advanced practice models to expand oral health services, including restorative procedures; counseling regarding smoking cessation; recent medical advances in the field of dentistry and legal and policy issues currently impacting dental hygiene.

Prerequisites: none

Assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the impact of emerging dental technology. Topics include dental practice software management, digital radiography, intro-oral cameras, patient education software, lasers in dentistry, and internet information sources for both practitioners and patients.

Prerequisites: none

Leadership preparation in the delivery of oral health care in the public health model. Emphasis will be placed on defining oral health problems and solutions, community planning, implementation and evaluation based on the oral health objectives of Healthy People 2010.

Prerequisites: none

Examines educational methods needed for effective dental hygiene instruction. Topics addressed within this course will include learner and context analysis, performance objectives, assessment instruments, instructional strategies, formative and summative evaluations. Emphasis will be placed on competency based instruction.

Prerequisites: none

Evidence based dental management of patients with medical disorders encountered in dental practice. Provides an overview of basic disease processes, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and accepted medical therapies utilizing human needs model to formulate a dental hygiene care plan.

Prerequisites: none

Combines the sciences and knowledge in the discipline of dental hygiene that permits systhesis and application of periodontal treatment techniques. Surgical and aggressive management of medically compromised periodontal patients will be addressed in this course.

Prerequisites: none

Provides student awareness of the American Dental Hygienists' Research Agenda and prepares students on the methodology of research. Includes strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods while developing methodological skills and proficiencies related to research.

Prerequisites: none

Demonstration of oral health delivery in community based clinics embracing oral health promotion efforts as a methodology. Increasing demand for care, dental services and prevention resulting in reduction of oral diseases and improved community oral health.

Prerequisites: DHYG 444 

Applies content from Principles of Educational Methods to support the role of dental hygiene educator in didactic and clinical instruction. Active participation in course design, delivery and evaluation in classroom, on-line or clinical format with emphasis on competency based instruction.

Prerequisites: DHYG 445 

This course is designed to facilitate critical thinking skills related to drugs used in dentistry and medicine with emphasis placed on the impact of the dental hygiene diagnosis.

Prerequisites: none

Minor

None

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 16 Credits

This course will give the student an introduction to Dental Hygiene as a profession and career. Exploration of dental hygiene practice and an overview of the dental hygiene curriculum and conceptual framework will be covered.

Prerequisites: none

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

Overview of the nature and characteristics of human societies; the structure and processes of social life; impact of social forces on individuals and groups; interdependence of society and the individual; emphasis on cultural diversity and globalism.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P. 

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04

Systems approach to the structure of the human body. The course is designed for students majoring in biology or health related programs. Lab included.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 17 Credits

A course designed to improve students' understanding in communication, including the areas of interpersonal, nonverbal, listening, small group and public speaking.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1B

This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

This course is an introduction to organic chemistry and biological chemistry. The laboratory will reinforce lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 106 or high school chemistry 

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Head and Neck Anatomy is the study of the hard and soft tissues of the head and neck including bones, muscles, nerves, blood supply, glands and how they function. Oral Histology is the study of cells and cell layers which compose basic tissues, oral mucosa, gingival and dentogingival tissues, orofacial structures, enamel, dentin and pulp.Prereq: Admission into the Dental Hygiene Program

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 15 Credits

This course includes the study of the permanent, mixed and primary dentitions including each individual tooth's morphology, function and occlusion.

Prerequisites: none

An introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. Lab included. Prereq: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201 

Goal Areas: GE-03

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Pharmacology is the study of drugs used in dentistry or medicine for the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of disease.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 106 or CHEM 111

The science of six nutrient classes, including digestion through metabolism, and application of nutrition knowledge to clinical care, including weight control and common chronic conditions requiring nutrition therapy.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 106 or CHEM 111

Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Third Year

Fall - 17 Credits

This course includes an introduction to dental terminology and clinical aspects of dental hygiene treatment including care and use of equipment/instruments, infection control and preparation of patient records.

Prerequisites: none

This course will teach the operative techniques needed to perform oral prophylactic procedures and health education through laboratory/clinical practice.

Prerequisites: none

This course includes production of dental radiographs, physics of x-radiation, biologic effects, interpretation, processing, mounting, and laboratory practice on mannequins and patients. Special attention is given to infection control, safety precautions, and patient selection.

Prerequisites: none

This course is the first of two courses that studies the fundamental elements, purposes and uses of dental materials in the modern dental office. In addition it will give the dental hygiene student a fundamental understanding and skill level of basic dental assisting techniques utilized in the dental office.

Prerequisites: none

This course will include a study of supporting tooth structures, identification, classification, etiology, progression and treatment of periodontal diseases.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to equip the dental hygiene students with the skills necessary to manage a dental computer software program. A focus on networking, dental resourse codes and insurance protocol will also be covered.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 14 Credits

This course is the second of two courses that studies the fundamental elements, purposes and uses of the materials used in the modern dental office. The student will develop laboratory or clinical competency in functions using dental materials that are legal duties for Minnesota dental hygienists.

Prerequisites: none

This course will study the normal anatomical features from intraoral and extraoral radiographs. Students will then use this knowledge to intrepret what is seen on radiographs to discern normal from abnormal. Intrepretation of dental caries, periodontal disease and pathology are among the topics this course will cover.

Prerequisites: none

Oral Embryology encompasses development of human body from conception through birth, with a focus on development of the face and hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Oral Pathology addresses the causes and mechanisms of disease with special emphasis on common oral lesions and neoplasms, stressing their etiology and clinical manifestations.

Prerequisites: none

This course provides an opportunity for dental hygiene students to develop their roles as educators, clinicians, consumer advocates, change agents, researchers, and administrators in a clinical setting.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to reinforce topics covered in DHYG 311 through the use of advanced case studies. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based decision making. Also designed to collaborate with clinic needs as identified in DHYG 331.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to be a study of the fundamental elements, purposes, and uses of local anesthesia for the dental hygienist.

Prerequisites: none

Didactic and clinical study of etiology, diagnosis, preventive and therapeutic procedures involved with periodontal disease.

Prerequisites: none

Fourth Year

Fall - 13 Credits

This course offers the student continued practice of dental hygiene treatment procedures in the Minnesota State Mankato Dental Clinic. It includes several mandatory off-campus experiences.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on clinical procedures, educational techniques and legal and ethical issues as they apply to the patient- dental hygiene provider relationship.

Prerequisites: none

The course is designed to be a study of the fundamental elements, purposes and uses of nitrous oxide sedation in the practice of dental hygiene. This course meets the educational criteria established by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.

Prerequisites: none

This course introduces second year dental hygiene students to the disciplines and basic principles of community dental health, epidemiologic methods and biostatistical measurement analysis. Preventive oral health measures and program development is included to provide a background for the practical application of dental public health methods to the community. This course is an upper division writing intensive course for the traditional dental hygiene program.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on legal and ethical issues as applied to the patient dental hygiene provider relationship.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to prepare the dental hygiene student in the use of new technologies in the modern dental office. Students will learn to integrate these new technologies into the teledentistry model.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on the role of dental hygiene practitioners in promoting optimal oral health at the individual level and in the community.

Prerequisites: none

The first of two clinical courses designed to utilize the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation process in a community based setting. This course will address efforts to reduce incidence and severity of oral diseases resulting in improved access to community oral health in complex cases.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 12 Credits

This course offers the student continued practice of dental hygiene treatment procedures in the Minnesota State Mankato Dental Clinic. It includes several mandatory off-campus experiences.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on the development of a personal sense of responsibility for the well-being and development of one's workplace from an employee perspective.

Prerequisites: none

The course is designed to provide the dental hygiene practitioner with a survey of common medical disorders that may be encountered in a dental practice. The medical problems are organized to provide a brief overview of the basic disease process, etiology, incidence, prevalence, behavior characteristics, medications and oral manifestations commonly presented by the dental patients. As a result of the accumulation of evidence based research, the dental hygiene practitioner will be provided with an understanding of the disease, recognize the severity of the common medical disorders and make a dental management decision providing the patient with the highest possible level of oral health.

Prerequisites: none

This is the second of two clinical courses designed to utilize the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation process in a community based setting. This course will address efforts to reduce incidence and severity of oral diseases resulting in improved access to community oral health in complex cases.

Prerequisites: none

This course meets the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry for dental hygienists and assistants to legally perform new expanded duties including the placement, contouring and adjustment of amalgam, glass ionomer and composite restorations and the placement and adjustment of stainless steel crowns.

Prerequisites: none