DENT 204: Preventative Clinical Procedures

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 1
Total Contact Hours: 40
Lecture Hours : 12
Lab Hours: 28
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 24
Total Student Learning Hours: 64
Prerequisite: DENT 102, DENT 104, DENT 121, DENT 122, DENT 123; DENT 203 or concurrent enrollment; Students must complete 180 hours of rotation in general dentistry during DENT 203 prior to starting this class.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course covers those duties requiring clinical competence for the RDA: coronal polishing, pit & fissure sealants and mouth mirror inspection. 12 lecture hours, 28 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Recognize and analyze deficiencies in preclinical and clinical procedures, making appropriate corrections to their work.
  • Assemble armamentarium for and complete the coronal polishing procedure in a proficient and timely manner according to State Board of California criteria on three acceptable patients and pass the Coronal Polishing written exam with a 75% or better score.
  • Assemble armamentarium for and complete a fluoride treatment on one acceptable patient according to stated criteria, after coronal polishing.
  • Apply sealants according to State Board of California criteria and pass the Sealant written exam with a score of 75% or better.
  • Assemble armamentarium for and complete an intra- and extra-oral exam, application of topical anesthetic and take an intraoral photo to stated criteria.

Major Course Content

  1. Coronal Polishing
    1. Objective of Coronal Polishing
    2. Identification of stains and plaque
    3. Instrumentation principles
    4. Characteristics of polishing agents
    5. Procedure
  2. Application of Topical Fluoride
    1. Role of fluoride
    2. Types of fluoride
    3. Procedure
    4. Precautions
  3. Pit and Fissure Sealants
    1. Anatomy Review
    2. Indications and Contraindications
    3. Materials
    4. Bonding Agents
    5. Preparation of teeth for bonding
    6. Procedure
    7. Use of automated caries detection devices
  4. Mouth Mirror Inspection
    1. Purpose
    2. Normal anatomical structures
    3. Deviations from normal
    4. Procedure
  5. Topical Anesthetic
    1. Uses and benefits
    2. Common preparations
    3. Precautions
    4. Armamentarium
    5. Procedure
    6. Injection sites

Lab Content

  1. Coronal Polishing
    1. Identification of stains and plaque
    2. Instrumentation
    3. Preclinical Procedure
    4. Clinical Procedure
  2. Application of Topical Fluoride
    1. Role of fluoride
    2. Types of fluoride
    3. Procedure
    4. Precautions
  3. Pit and Fissure Sealants
    1. Anatomy Review
    2. Indications and Contraindications
    3. Materials
    4. Bonding Agents
    5. Preparation of teeth for bonding
    6. Procedure
    7. Use of automated caries detection devices
  4. Mouth Mirror Inspection
    1. Purpose
    2. Normal anatomical structures
    3. Deviations from normal
    4. Procedure
  5. Topical Anesthetic
    1. Uses and benefits
    2. Common preparations
    3. Precautions
    4. Armamentarium
    5. Procedure
    6. Injection sites

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

One page summary on oral cancer / screening (incidence, prevention, patient education, procedure).

Examples of Outside Assignments

1. Explore given website on oral cancer 2. Label and color fissures, ridges, cusps etc of teeth that are commonly sealed with pit and fissure sealants. 3. Answer study questions related to each topic. Examples include: describe the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic stain; describe the appearance of enamel that has been properly etched; what are the most common areas for oral cancer to occur; describe the appearance of healthy attached gingiva; explain the most important factor in sealant retention.

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture, Online Education Lecture