Below are the Dental Hygiene program specific required courses that have prepared me for a career as a registered dental hygienist.
Course descriptions are taken directly from New York City College of Technology Dental Hygiene website.
| Principles of Dental Hygiene Care I | An introduction to the didactic concepts and clinical techniques and principles involved in the practice of dental hygiene. Emphasis is on the principles of optimal patient care including aseptic techniques, patient assessment, personal oral hygiene and plaque control, fundamentals of instrumentation and related body mechanics, principles of instrument sharpening and emerging modalities. |
| Oral Anatomy | A study of head and neck anatomy with an emphasis on the structures of the oral cavity. |
| Histology and Embryology | Developmental and microscopic anatomy of the elementary tissues. Embryologic development of the teeth and oral cavity. Comprehensive study of teeth, their supporting tissues and microscopic anatomy. |
| Principles of Dental Hygiene Care II | A continuation of the study of the principles and techniques involved in the practice of dental hygiene as introduced in DEN 1100L. All aspects of adult care will be presented in lectures and in clinical practice. |
| Periodontics | This course introduces the basic and advanced concepts, as well as current treatment modalities of periodontal therapy. |
| Dental Radiology | Dental radiology provides the student with the knowledge and experience necessary to work efficiently and safely with x-radiation and radiographic equipment in the dental environment. This course is designed to perfect performance in specific intraoral radiographic techniques and interpretation skills. |
| Principles of Dental Hygiene Care III | Advanced didactic material and clinical experience. The instructor serves as a group facilitator who assists the student in developing an appreciation for the concepts, topics and procedures related to the clinical experience and in integrating the material into the practice of clinical oral hygiene. |
| Oral Pathology | Basic principles of pathology, with special reference to diseases of the oral cavity and contiguous structures and their clinical considerations in dental hygiene treatment. |
| Pharmacology | Pharmacological action of drugs on functions of the body. Therapeutics of drugs commonly employed in dental practice. |
| Dental Materials | The study of sources, physical and chemical characteristics of materials used in dentistry. |
| Principles of Dental Hygiene Care IV | Continuation of the principles and techniques involved in the practice of dental hygiene as introduced in DEN 1100, DEN 1200 and DEN 2300. Using the knowledge and skills acquired in this and previous semesters, the student will assess each patient assigned, formulate a treatment plan, complete treatment and evaluate results. |
| Introduction to Public Health | The dental hygienist’s role as an educator and resource person in the field of public and community health is examined. Field experience and participation in dental education programs are included. |
| Microbiology | The fundamentals of microbiology. Lectures focus on the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, interaction between the microbe and the host, and human diseases. Laboratory sessions focus on pure culture techniques, methods of staining and the microscopic, colonial and biochemical identification of saprophytic organisms. |
| Nutrition | The nutrition constituent of foods, their metabolism and role in the body with emphasis on specific health problems, especially those involving nutritional deficiencies. |
