DENT 123: Healthcare for the Dental Patient

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 2
Total Contact Hours: 36
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: DENT 100 or concurrent enrollment.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Fundamental skills involved in assessing the dental patient's health, the effect on dental treatment and the adjustments to dental treatment needed to protect the physical welfare of the patient. This class provides instruction on health history, vital signs, recognition and management of medical emergencies, and pharmacology (including drug/opioid addiction). 36 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • demonstrate the ability to obtain an accurate and complete health history and vital signs from a patient
  • demonstrate knowledge of common physical conditions and how they may affect dental treatment and/or the oral cavity
  • demonstrate knowledge of the nutrients, their function, food sources and relationship to physical and oral health
  • demonstrate knowledge of common medical/dental emergencies and their management
  • identify the basic principles of pharmacology (including drug/opioid addiction)

Major Course Content

  1. Patient Information and Assessment
    1. Purpose of health histories
    2. Content of health history
    3. Legal issues
    4. Patient appraisal
  2. Vital Signs
    1. Blood pressure
    2. Pulse
    3. Respiration
    4. Temperature
  3. Medical Emergencies
    1. Office preparation
    2. Emergency equipment
    3. Common medical emergencies
    4. Management of emergencies
    5. Dental emergencies
  4. Pharmacology
    1. Introduction
      1. Drug names
      2. Administration and forms
      3. Drug actions
      4. Legal aspects
      5. Common drugs
      6. Prescription writing 
      7. Sources of information
      8. Drug/Opioid addiction

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Assigned reading, including professional articles related to each topic.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

After reading given articles on topics related to course content including diabetes, blood pressure and nutrition, write a one-page summary.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments outside of the regular class time:
Study Answer questions based on text and lecture Practice skills Read required materials After reading given articles on topics related to course content including diabetes, blood pressure and nutrition, write a one-page summary.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture