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School of Dentistry

Course Descriptions

These are courses for the IUFW Allied Dental Education programs. The number of credit hours is indicated in parentheses following the course title.

Dental Auxiliary Education
  • DAE-E 351 Advanced Dental Materials Technology for Auxiliary (1-4 cr.) Lecture and laboratory course designed to teach additional concepts of dental materials and their use in intra-oral techniques. Included in instruction in DAU principles.
Dental Assisting Certificate
  • DAST-A 122 Introduction to Dentistry (1 cr.) An overview of the specialties of dentistry with specific lectures on cavity classification and nomenclature, instrument nomenclature, principles of cavity preparation, the space maintenance concept, management of the child patient, use of the rubber dam in direct and indirect pulp therapy.
  • DAST-A 162 Written and Oral Communication (1-2 cr.) Instruction and practice in gathering and organizing material for written and oral presentations to include individual and group projects in communication specifically in dental contexts.
  • DAST-A 211 Oral, Pathology, Physiology, Anatomy (1-2 cr.) A211 is an overview of the structures, functions, and selected diseases of the human body, including basic cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
  • DAST-A 212 Dental Therapeutics and Medical Emergencies (2-3 cr.) This course will present the pharmacology of medications that are commonly used by the physician and dentist and the diseases and indications for which these drugs are prescribed. Also, the class will review the systemic diseases and adverse reactions to dental treatment that can result in a medical emergency in the dental office and the armamentarium, medications, and procedures for treating these emergencies.
  • DAST-A 221 Microbiology and Asepsis Technique (1-3 cr.) A study of microbial types, oral microbiology, bloodborne diseases and infection control including procedures on instrument cleaning and sterilization, surface disinfection, use of protective barriers, waste management and hazardous materials management.
  • DAST-A 231 Dental Materials I (2-4 cr.) Lecture and laboratory course designed to require the student to utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills while incorporating mechanical, physical and chemical properties of dental materials in the clinical and laboratory setting. The role of the assistant in selection, manipulation and biological considerations of dental materials is stressed.
  • DAST-A 232 Dental Materials Lecture II (2-3 cr.) Lecture and laboratory courses designed to require student to utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills while incorporating mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of dental materials in the clinical and laboratory setting.  The role of the assistant in selection, manipulation, and biological considerations of dental materials is stressed.
  • DAST-A 241 Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition (2-3 cr.) Etiology and prevention of oral diseases.  The role of the dental assistant in the different procedures comprising an office preventive program.  The effects of major nutrients on physiologic body processes; applied nutrition in dental caries and periodontal disease.  Clinical and laboratory experiences.
  • DAST-A 242 Introduction to Advanced Dental Practice (1-3 cr.) The course will provide the student with an overview of the various dental specialties and the special instruments utilized by them.  The role of the specialty dental assistant will be addressed along with performance evaluations of skills that are allowed for dental assistants in the Indiana State Dental Practice Act.
  • DAST-A 271 Clinical Science I (4-6 cr.) A core course in dental nomenclature; historical developments in dentistry; role of assistant as member of the dental health team; dental specialties; charting the mouth; identification and utilization of instruments and equipment; principles of dental procedures and instrument transfer, isolation techniques, and asepsis procedures.
  • DAST-A 272 Clinical Science II (3-6 cr.) Clinical chairside experience, including an extramural assignment; allows for refining of student skills. A seminar provides students opportunities to share experiences.
  • DAST-A 273 Advanced Clinical Practice (4 cr.) This course provides continued performance on clinical practice experiences with patients in extramural dental offices. The students will utilize critical thinking skills and evidence-based decision making as they perform clinical treatment with their patients.
  • DAST-A 282 Practice Management, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2-3 cr.) A course designed to emphasize the role of the dental assistant in the management of a dental office through reception procedures, appointment control, record keeping, purchasing, third party reimbursement, financial systems, telephone techniques, and inventory control. Also the legal and ethical aspects of dentistry are discussed as well as interviewing techniques and resumes.
  • DAST-A 300 Special Topics in Dental Education (1-4 cr.) An advanced course for dental education majors. Supervised reading or projects on approved topics in Dentistry. Hours, subject matter, and evaluation to be determined by faculty.
  • DAST-A 301 Advanced Orthodontic Procedures (2-4 cr.) An advanced course in orthodontics for allied dental professionals. Tooth morphology, occlusion, instrumentation, intraoral procedures, appliances, cephalometric tracing, and panoramic and cephalometric radiographic techniques will be discussed. Laboratory experiences will be included.
  • DAST-A 303 Radiology Clinic I (2-3 cr.) The principles of radiation production, theories and techniques of radiographic imaging, film processing and mounting, radiation safety and radiographic interpretation are studied in this didactic and preclinical course.
  • DAST-A 305 Radiology Clinic I (1-3 cr.) Clinical application of intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs.  A continuation of the students' experience in intraoral and extraoral radiographic techniques on patients.
  • DAST-A 401 RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY CLINICAL PRACTICE (4-6 cr.)
  • DAST-A 182 Practice Management, Ethics, and Jurisprudence (2 cr.) A course designed to emphasize the role of the dental assistant in the management of a dental office through reception procedures, appointment control, record keeping, purchasing, third-party reimbursement, financial systems, and inventory control. Also, the legal and ethical aspects of dentistry are discussed.
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
  • DHYG-D 401 Clinical Supervision 1 (3 cr.) Supervisory experience in clinics and laboratories involved in teaching students enrolled in Dental Hygiene curriculum; problems incident to patient-student and instructor-student relationships.
  • DHYG-D 402 Practicum in Dental Sciences Education (3 cr.) Experience in teaching in the Department of Dental Education under the direction of a supervising instructor. Students will learn strategies in curriculum development, effective evaluation methods, teaching-learning styles, student-faculty relationships, and problem-solving strategies in a didactic setting.
  • DHYG-H 204 Periodontics (1-2 cr.) This course introduces students to the interpretation of tissue changes, the role dental hygienists process of care. An emphasis will be placed on the structures of the periodontium, etiology and manifestations of periodontal diseases.
  • DHYG-H 205 Medical and Dental Emergencies (1-2 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 211 Head & Neck Anatomy (1-3 cr.) A detailed study of the anatomy of the head and neck. Some attention is given to oral embryology and the growth of tooth structure.
  • DHYG-H 214 Oral Anatomy Histiology & Embryology (2-4 cr.) A study of the morphology, structure, function, and histology and embryology of human and surrounding tissues, including osteology of the maxilla and mandible and nerve and vascular supply of teeth and muscles of mastication.
  • DHYG-H 215 Pharmacology and Therapeutics: First Year (1-3 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 216 Chemistry and Nutrition: First Year (2-3 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 217 Preventive Dentistry: Second Year (1-3 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 218 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene (3-6 cr.) An introduction to the dental and dental hygiene professions including the basic didactic and laboratory/clinic practice for the performance of dental hygiene services.
  • DHYG-H 219 Clinical Practice I (3-5 cr.) Performance of dental services in various clinical settings. Included is didactic instruction and clinical application of dental hygiene procedures for providing patient care and an introduction to oral diagnosis.
  • DHYG-H 221 Clinical Dental Hygiene Procedures (1-3 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 240 Introduction to Dental Ethics (1-2 cr.) This course provides background in ethical issues that impact dental healthcare providers and their patients. Emphasis will be on developing critical thinking skills and evidence-based decision making. Case studies providing examples of legal and ethical issues relevant to dental patient care will be explored.
  • DHYG-H 242 Introduction to Dentistry (1-3 cr.) An overview of the field of dentistry with emphasis on the specialties in dentistry, an introduction to common dental procedures with information a hygienist needs in patient education, as well as issues related to access to dental care and the dental workforce.
  • DHYG-H 250 Local Anesthesia and Pain (1-2 cr.) This course addresses coverage management for conscious dental clients. The indications, contraindications, and pharmacology of topical anesthesia, local anesthesia, and nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation used in dentistry will be discussed. Local anesthesia techniques and the administration of nitrous oxygen sedation will be studied.
  • DHYG-H 301 Clinical Practice II (3-5 cr.) Continued performance of dental hygiene services in various clinical settings. Included is didactic instruction and clinical application of dental hygiene services for providing patient care.
  • DHYG-H 302 Clinical Practice III (3-5 cr.) H302 Clinical Practice III is a combination of clinical experiences, professional organization activities and community health education.  The didactic information obtained through the curriculum is designed to complement student's advanced clinical work and experiences.  These experiences will include evaluating patient's nutritional status and identifying treatment modifications necessary for patients with special needs.
  • DHYG-H 303 Radiology (1-3 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 304 Oral Pathology: Second Year (1-3 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 305 Radiology Clinic (1-3 cr.) Clinical application of intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs.
  • DHYG-H 306 Radiology Clinic II (1 cr.) Continuation of DHYG-H305 - clinical application of intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs.
  • DHYG-H 308 Dental Materials (1-3 cr.)
  • DHYG-H 309 Practice of Community Dental Hygiene - 2nd Year (1-3 cr.) A supervised field experience in various community settings, including dental health instruction and treatment in schools, and dental health education to community organizations.  This course is designed to cover didactic information in the first half of the course to prepare students for the National Board Examination.  During this time students are orientated to community fieldwork experiences, with the majority of service hours completed in the latter half of this course.
  • DHYG-H 320 Practice Management, Ethics and Jurisprudence (1-2 cr.) The study of the organization, administration and prudent operation of professional and financial resources for a successful dental practice in a community.
  • DHYG-H 321 Periodontics (1-2 cr.) A study of periodontal disease including the anatomy, classification, etiology, treatment, and relationship to systemic condition.
  • DHYG-H 344 Senior Hygiene Seminar (1-3 cr.) Ethics, jurisprudence, and practice management concepts including a study of state practice acts, dental hygiene employment opportunities, recall systems, and current trends in the dental hygiene profession.
  • DHYG-H 347 Community Dental Health (2-5 cr.) A study of public health principles as they relate to dentistry. The students will be introduced to those aspects of public health which enable them to plan, administer and evaluate a dental health program.
  • DHYG-H 400 Evidence-Based Decision Making (3 cr.) Evidence-based decision making (EBDM) based on scientific evidence, clinical skill and judgment, and individual patient case studies. This approach to evidence-based decision making in oral healthcare will include judicious integration of systematic assessments of scientific evidence. Foundational knowledge to implement future clinical strategies will be discussed.
  • DHYG-H 403 Advanced Community Dental Hygiene (3-4 cr.) Public health principles including care delivery system and preventive public health care at the community level.
  • DHYG-H 405 Dental Healthcare Research (3 cr.) Review of current literature related to periodontics, oral pathology, preventive dentistry and the current practices of dental hygiene.
  • DHYG-H 406 Educational Methodology in Health Sciences (1-3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to assist potential educators in the health sciences to understand current theories, concepts and methodologies in professional health science education.  Students will learn to apply effective educational strategies to match learners' needs in didactic, laboratory and clinical settings.  This course will use a variety of delivery systems including an on-line component.
  • DHYG-H 408 Practicum in Community Health (3-4 cr.) Structured practical experience in planning, supervising, coordinating and evaluating instruction in an educational setting and/or assessing, planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs.
  • DHYG-H 420 Advanced Clinical Procedures (4-5 cr.) Clinical Practice 4 is a course designed for instruction and experience in performing dental hygiene services.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Technology
  • DLTP-D 300 Specialty in Orthodontic Prosthesis (4-8 cr.) This course will give students advanced knowledge in the fabrication of orthodontic prosthesis. It will allow students to test and develop their problem solving skills by providing them with theoretical information and challenge them to convert it into practical application through construction of orthodontic appliances.
  • DLTP-D 111 History Ethics Organization (1 cr.) History and background of dental laboratory technology, including dental practice acts, work authorization, dental ethics as applicable to dental auxiliaries.
  • DLTP-D 112 Dental Anatomy (4 cr.) A study of individual tooth morphology and associated oral structures, their relationship, alignment, and function.
  • DLTP-D 113 Basic Physics, Chemistry and Dental Materials (5 cr.) The chemical and physical properties and requirements of restorative and prosthetic materials will be taught. Manipulative procedures are performed in the laboratory.
  • DLTP-D 114 Occlusion (3 cr.) The interdigitation of teeth and their relation to function, phonetics, and esthetics will be introduced. Waxing techniques to obtain these desired results will be utilized in the laboratory.
  • DLTP-D 125 Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics I (3 cr.) An introduction to the types and uses of fixed restorations and techniques of fabrication. The theories and concepts for the use of different types of restorations will be included.
  • DLTP-D 126 Orthodontic Pedodontic Appliances I (3 cr.) An introduction to the basic laboratory skills pertinent to fabrication of orthodontic and pedodontic appliances.  Special emphasis will be placed on various wire bending techniques and designs.  Students will also be introduced to the pouring and trimming of diagnostic casts.
  • DLTP-D 127 Complete Denture Prosthodontics I (4 cr.) An introduction to the setup and arrangement of artificial teeth. Waxing, investing, processing, and finishing procedures will also be taught. The basics of denture repair will be introduced.
  • DLTP-D 128 Partial Denture Prosthodontics I (3 cr.) An introduction to the theories and procedures of partial framework fabrication. The procedures of design, duplicating, waxing, investing, casting, and finishing will be introduced.
  • DLTP-D 129 Dental Ceramics I (3 cr.) An introduction to the types and uses of fixed restorations and techniques of fabrication of porcelain to metal restorations.
  • DLTP-D 215 Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics II (4 cr.) Fixed procedures are continued with emphasis on multiple unit castings. Theory and techniques to be included are pontic design, acrylic veneer design, and soldering.
  • DLTP-D 216 Ortho-Pedo Appliance II (3 cr.) The skills introduced in the basic course will be amplified. More intricate wire bending exercises will be used. Acrylic placement, basic soldering, and welding techniques will be introduced.
  • DLTP-D 217 Complete Denture Prosth II (3 cr.)
  • DLTP-D 218 Partial Denture Prosthodontics II (3 cr.) The fabrication of various designed frameworks will be utilized. The arrangement and processing of artificial teeth and the repairing of frameworks will be introduced.
  • DLTP-D 219 Dental Ceramics II (4 cr.) Porcelain to metal procedures are continued with emphasis on multiple unit restorations. An introduction to soldering techniques and porcelain jacket crowns will be included.
  • DLTP-D 320 Dental Implants (3 cr.) Dental Implant Concepts and Procedures for Fixed and Removable Prostheses will be taught. Computer-aided design of dental prosthetic restorations will be emphasized.
  • DLTP-D 321 Dental Laboratory Business Procedures (3 cr.) Practical laboratory management procedures and theories will be taught.
  • DLTP-D 400 Advance Dental Science in Dental Laboratory Technology (3 cr.) This course will highlight competencies and achievements learned during preceding laboratory practices. Students will be required to construct an e-portfolio along with a project portfolio. This portfolio will include projects, journal article critique of new dental technology practices and procedures, reflection papers, externship journals, and a dental research project.
  • DLTP-D 401 Specialty in Fixed Prosthodontics (4-8 cr.) The course will give students advanced knowledge in the fabrication of fixed prosthesis. It will allow students to test and develop their problem solving skills by providing them with theoretical information and challenge them to covert it into practical application through construction of fixed prosthesis. Computer-aided design of dental prosthetic restorations will be emphasized.
  • DLTP-D 402 Specialty in Removable Prosthodontics (4-8 cr.) This course will give students advanced knowledge in the fabrication of removable prosthesis. It will allow students to test and develop their problem solving skills by providing them with theoretical information and challenge them to convert it into practical application through construction of partial and complete dentures. Computer-aided design of dental prosthetic restorations will be emphasized.
  • DLTP-D 403 Specialty in Orthodontic Prosthesis (4-8 cr.) This course will give students advanced knowledge in the fabrication of orthodontic prosthesis. It will allow students to test and develop their problem solving skills by providing them with theoretical information and challenge them to convert it into practical application through construction of orthodontic appliances.
  • DLTP-D 405 Practical Laboratory Experience (4-6 cr.) A practicum in dental laboratory procedures in one of the five specialty areas. This practicum may be given on campus or at an extramural site.

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