Department of Dental Hygiene

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on dental caries meets the requirements for the Arizona State Affiliated Dental Hygienist in the area of prevention.

What’s covered 

This course addresses:

• the recognition of and current recommendation for detection of dental caries
• a review of the caries process
• contributing factors to caries
• health disparities related to dental caries in children
• early childhood caries identification, prevention, and treatment

All information is presented for the affiliate practice hygienist to educate his/her patients and parents.

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on childhood diabetes mellitus meets the requirements for the Arizona State Affiliated Dental Hygienist in the category of dental and medical health.

What’s covered 

This course addresses:

• the signs and symptoms of diabetes, including oral manifestations, and recognition for detection of diabetes
• a review of the types of diabetes
• contributing factors
• early warning signs
• signs and symptoms of diabetic emergency

All information is presented for the affiliate practice hygienist to educate his/her patients and parents.

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on evidence based practice (EBP) meets the requirements for the Arizona State Affiliated Dental Hygienist. With the rapidly changing nature of health care today, clinicians can no longer rely on facts and information learned in school because new diseases, medications, and products are appearing at a rapid pace.

What’s covered  

This course provides: fundamental knowledge about EBP the tools and skills needed to locate and review research articles and abstracts quickly and easily so that you can stay up to date on new products and procedures, provide the best possible care, and achieve optimum outcomes for your patients. Steps in the EBP process you’ll study include: asking an answerable clinical question searching for the highest quality, relevant information from the literature to answer the clinical question reading and critically appraise the evidence for its validity and relevance deciding and apply the results of this appraisal in your practice

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on management and behavior guidance techniques for the child patient meets the requirements for the Arizona State Affiliated Dental Hygienist in the area of pediatric and other special health care needs.

What’s covered 

This course will:

• review the developmental levels, behavioral characteristics, and common oral concerns for the child patient
• introduce behavior guidance techniques

With this information, the Affiliated Dental Hygienist will be better prepared to create an environment conducive to the care and treatment of the child dental patient.

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on program planning meets the Arizona State Dental Hygiene Affiliated Practice requirements.

What’s covered 

This course covers the following components:

• introduction to planning
• oral health trends and barriers
• addressing barriers to care
• stages of planning
• developing the plan
• budgeting and resources

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on managing dental care for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) meets the CEU requirements for the Arizona State Affiliated Dental Hygienist in the area of prevention.

What’s covered 

This course will:

• address the recognition of physical and mental disabilities and mental disorders
• prepare the affiliated practice dental hygienist to anticipate challenges and modify treatment
• review how dental hygiene treatment is impacted by CSHCN
• describe possible oral manifestations
• present treatment modifications necessary to effectively treat CSHCN 

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on dental hygiene management for Affiliated Practice meets the requirements for category B of the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners.

What’s covered 

This course provides information about:

• the state requirements for Affiliated Practice
• developing a resume and cover letter
• writing a mission statement
• producing a policy and procedures manual
• the financial requirements of a dental hygiene profit center
• assessing risk management and quality assurance
• understanding marketing and management principles

This 3-unit continuing education (CEU) course on culturally-appropriate dental care meets the requirements for the Arizona State Affiliated Dental Hygienist in the area of prevention. 

What’s covered 

This course is designed to:

• introduce participants to the fundamental principles of cultural awareness guiding the affiliated practicing dental hygienist
• provide knowledge on maintaining the various aspects of cultural sensitivity when providing oral health care to special populations, particularly children

The Affiliated Practice Dental Hygienist will look at culture and diversity in broader context as it relates to wellness. Cultural competency becomes an integral part of quality oral health care.

Upon completion of the course, the Affiliated Practice Dental Hygienist will have a greater understanding of providing culturally appropriate care, as well as, cultural diversity concepts as it relates to children and families. Being culturally competent can insure a greater understanding for the affiliated practice dental hygienist to better educate children and parents.

This 2-unit continuing education (CEU) course on the use and care of portable dental equipment meets the requirement for the Arizona State Affiliated Practice.

What’s covered 

This course provides knowledge on how to set-up, breakdown, and care for portable dental equipment.

This 2-unit continuing education course (CEU) addresses the underlying causes, management, and treatment of asthma. The information is intended to assist the Affiliated Practice Hygienist in recognition, prevention and management of medical emergencies with an asthma patient.

What’s covered 

This course will include:

• treatment and pharmacology for pediatric asthma patients
• dental management of the asthmatic patient and the prevention of medical emergencies