Dental Hygiene Certificate (DHCT)

Course descriptions in school catalogs and the Course Search are correct at the time of publication. See myUTH for more recent course information and to register for courses.

DHCT 2101  Pre-Clinical Technique  (5 Credits)  
5 credit hours (3 lec., 6 lab) An introduction to the basic theories, principles, and procedures used in dental hygiene practice, with primary emphasis on the techniques of instrumentation used in performing diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic services. The dental hygiene student will have an opportunity to practice these techniques on manikins and student partners in the clinic. Letter Graded
DHCT 2103  Oral Disease Prevention I  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (3 lec., 1 lab) A course designed to provide the student with the background knowledge to assess patient oral health needs, to select appropriate preventive strategies, and to present information and demonstration techniques for effective patient education. Course Fee $25 Letter Graded Course fee: $25.00
DHCT 2105  Dental Radiology I  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours (2 lec., 1 lab) An introduction to the production and emission of dental x-radiation, safety precautions, and the exposure processing and interpretation of dental radiographs. Letter Graded
DHCT 2107  Head and Neck Anatomy  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours (2 lec) A study of the anatomic structures of the head and neck. Emphasis is placed on the muscles of mastication, salivary glands, and the vascular, lymphatic, and nerve supply to the head and neck as it relates to the clinical practice of the dental hygienist. Course Fee $100 Letter Graded Course fee: $100.00
DHCT 2108  Oral Histology and Embryology  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours (2 lec.) A study of the embryology and microscopic anatomy of human tissues with emphasis on the formation of the face, oral cavity, and dental structures. Clinical relevance will be stressed for applicability to pathology and periodontology. Letter Graded
DHCT 2109  Dental Anatomy  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (2 lec., 2 lab) The essentials of nomenclature, anatomical form, structure and function of the permanent teeth, with some study devoted to primary teeth, is presented. Laboratory practice includes identification of natural extracted teeth, the reproduction of tooth forms to emphasize morphology and functional relationships, and the adaptability of clinical instrument to root structures of varying topography. Letter Graded
DHCT 2201  Clinical Practice I  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (10 clinic) Prerequisite: DHCT 2101 and DHBS 2105. This introductory clinical course offers the student individual instruction and clinical practice in all phases of providing basic dental hygiene services. Letter Graded
DHCT 2202  Clinical Seminar I  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (3 lec.) A continuation of information designed to provide an opportunity to enhance performance of procedures in a clinical setting. Emphasis will be place on patient management, care of appliances, caries recognition, pulp testing, and desensitization. Periodontal nomenclature and clinical characteristics of periodontal tissues in health and disease will be introduced. Letter Graded
DHCT 2205  Dental Radiology II  (1 Credit)  
1 credit hour (1 lec., 1 lab) An introduction to supplemental intra-oral techniques and basic extra-oral radiographic techniques including patient/film positioning and the resulting film. Diagnostic information and normal radiographic anatomy of these various views will be presented. Letter Graded
DHCT 2206  General Oral Pathology  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (3 lec.) An introduction to diseases affecting the oral region, including the principles of inflammation and healing, developmental disturbances, the pathology of dental caries, dental and oral abnormalities, bacterial, viral and mycotic diseases, oral injuries, and neoplasms. Premalignant lesions and their differences from common benign conditions are emphasized. Letter Graded
DHCT 2209  Dental Emergencies  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours (2 lec, 1 lab) This course provides the student the opportunity to study dental office emergencies with emphasis on prevention, prompt recognition, and effective emergency care. Laboratory instruction will provide experience in monitoring vital signs, recognizing and handling emergency situations, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Letter Graded
DHCT 2210  Oral Disease Prevention II  (1 Credit)  
1 credit hour (1 lec. 1 lab) This course provides the dental hygiene student with opportunities to apply principles of plaque control, patient education, and disease prevention. In addition to lectures, learning activities will include problem-based learning and case presentations. Letter Graded
DHCT 2211  Periodontology  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (3 lec.) This course includes advanced study in periodontics as it relates to dental hygiene practice. Emphasis will be placed on etiology and pathology of periodontal diseases, diagnostic work-up, advanced principles of instrumentation, prevention, and treatment of periodontal diseases and occlusal disorders, and clinical case discussion. Letter Graded
DHCT 2300  Clinical Seminar II  (1 Credit)  
1 credit hour (2 lec.) Root morphology, advanced root planning, and ultrasonic scaling, amalgam polishing, and sealants will be emphasized in this course, along with patient management techniques when performing advanced instrumentation skills. Letter Graded
DHCT 2301  Clinical Practice II  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (21 clinic) Prerequisite: DHCT 2201/DHBS 3201 This course provides the opportunity for additional clinical treatment for patients and skills development. Letter Graded
DHCT 2305  Periodontology I  (1 Credit)  
Periodontology I Letter Graded
DHCT 2306  Dental Materials  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (2 lec. 2 lab) This course address characteristics, properties, manipulation, and evaluation of various materials utilized in dental procedures along with chair-side assisting principles and techniques. Emphasis is placed on the laboratory procedures performed and materials used by the dental hygienist. Letter Graded
DHCT 3301  Clinical Practice III  (4 Credits)  
4 credit hours (14 clinic) Prerequisite: DHCT 2301/DHBS 3501. This course is an introduction to advanced instrumentation procedures, including root planning and ultrasonic scaling, and the practice of basic and advanced techniques at chair-side. Rotations to other departments in the School of Dentistry and Texas Medical Center will be introduced. Patient management and professionalism are stressed in this stage of clinical development. Letter Graded
DHCT 3302  Clinical Seminar III  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours (2 lec.) Root morphology, advanced root planning, and ultrasonic scaling, amalgam polishing, and sealants will be emphasized in this course, along with patient management techniques when performing advanced instrumentation skills. Letter Graded
DHCT 3303  Community Dental Health  (3 Credits)  
3 credit hours (3 lec.) This course is an introduction to the tools of epidemiology and biostatistics, and includes the critical analysis of scientific literature and the methods and materials necessary to teach dental health to individuals and groups. As community health promoters, the student will have an opportunity to address and attempt to resolve critical issues in the current delivery system. Course Fee: $20 Letter Graded Course fee: $25.00
DHCT 3308  Pharmacology  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours. (2 lec.) This course is a study of the action use and effect of commonly used drugs on the human body. Emphasis is placed on the practical evaluation of drugs utilized by the dentist, and drugs being taken by dental patients and their effect on treatment. Letter Graded
DHCT 3309  Periodontology II  (2 Credits)  
Periodontology II Letter Graded
DHCT 3310  Applied Nutrition  (1 Credit)  
1 credit hour (1 lec.) This course is a dental-related study of nutrition. Interrelationships of the diet and oral health will be addressed. A case-based approach will be utilized to demonstrate the crucial connection between systemic health, nutrition and oral health. Letter Graded
DHCT 3311  Special Needs Patients  (2 Credits)  
2.0 credit hours This course is designed to provide the student with information on interventions and patient management strategies for patients who are medically compromised or have unusual health factors. The course will emphasize the assessment, identification of the needs and oral manifestations of certain acute and chronic diseases/conditions, planning individualized dental hygiene treatment and implementation of modifications to clinical techniques and patient counseling. The student will have the opportunity to discuss ethical concerns for treatment options for medically complex patients. Letter Graded
DHCT 3401  Clinical Practice IV  (4 Credits)  
4 credit hours. (14 clinic) Prerequisite: DHCT 3301/DHBS 4301. These clinical sessions combine both basic and advanced dental hygiene skills with time management techniques essential for private practice. Root planning, sealant application, ultrasonic instrumentation, amalgam polishing, and nutritional counseling will be emphasized. Rotations to other departments will be continued. Letter Graded
DHCT 3402  Clinical Seminar IV  (2 Credits)  
1 credit hours (2 lec.) This course will provide an opportunity for the student to clarify values and discuss treatment of special needs patients. The student will discuss professional ethics, laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, malpractice, and liability. Letter Graded
DHCT 3403  Community Dental Health Practice  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours (1 lec., 3 lab/field experiences) Prerequisite: DH 3303. This course is continuation of Community Dental Health, with an opportunity for the student to perfect skills in communication and motivational techniques, principles of learning-teaching, and media preparation and presentation through didactic and extra-mural experiences. Letter Graded
DHCT 3406  Applied Oral Pathology  (1 Credit)  
1credit hour (1 lec.) Cases of unknown oral pathology are presented, in which the student's objective is to obtain a complete history, formulate a differential diagnosis, and propose a rational approach for evaluation and treatment of the patient. Letter Graded
DHCT 3407  Current Applications in Dental Hygiene  (1 Credit)  
2 credit hour (1 lec.) This course is designed to integrate dental hygiene theory and practice with biomedical sciences in order to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to help maximize student performance on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Letter Graded
DHCT 3408  Practice Management  (2 Credits)  
2 credit hours (2 lec.) This class is primarily discussion of employment techniques, office and staff communication, and practice management. The student will have an opportunity to make a professional presentation of dental-related techniques and procedures. Letter Graded