Christine N. Nathe, M.S., Vice-Chairperson/Chief Dental Hygiene Division
University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Department of Dental Medicine
Novitski Hall, Suite 206
MSC09 5020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 272-4513
Dental hygienists are licensed preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services in dental care. Career opportunities for hygienists are available in a variety of settings, including private dental practices, community dental health clinics, public schools, clinical and basic science research laboratories, state and federal health facilities and management positions. Licensure by national and state examination is required.
Courses
DEHY 205.
Introduction to Dental Hygiene.
(2)
Introduction to Dental Hygiene is a comprehensive overview of major topics and issues germane to the practice of dental hygiene. Topics selected in this course are intended to provide entering dental hygiene students with an understanding of the role of the dental hygienist in disease prevention, therapeutic services provided by dental hygienists and professional growth.
Restriction: DH majors only.
{Spring}
DEHY 210.
Head and Neck Anatomy.
(2)
Anatomy of head and neck with emphasis on oral structures and their function. Three lectures.
Restriction: DH majors only.
{Spring}
DEHY 211.
Dental Anatomy.
(2)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 250.
Gen/Oral Hist and Embrey.
(2)
Study of cells, tissues, organ systems and embrology with emphasis on the oral structure.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 301.
Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture I.
(3)
Provides student with the theoretical basis to perform clinical dental hygiene. Topics covered include: intra- and extraoral examination procedures, periodontal tissue characteristics, occlusion and basic dental hygiene instrumentation.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 302.
Clinical Dental Hygiene I.
(2)
Dental Hygiene 302 provides the student with hands-on experiences in a clinical setting. Students practice dental hygiene evaluative and instrumentation skills learned in 301.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 303.
Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture II.
(3)
Theories and clinical performance of specific dental hygiene treatment concerns as well as biomedical/dental concerns are emphasized. Content includes nutritional counseling, intraoral photography, periodontal debridement and microscopic evaluation of plaque samples.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 304.
Clinical Dental Hygiene II.
(3)
DH 304 refines assessment and instrumentation skills. Emphasis is focused upon developing case management skills relative to periodontal debridement, dietary counseling, desensitization, phase contrast microscopy, subgingival irrigation and other related preventive skills.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 312.
Dental Radiology- Lab.
(3)
Didactic, laboratory and clinical course which includes basic concepts for radiation physics, radiation biology and protection, exposure techniques, film processing and mounting, quality assurance and radiographic appearance of normal and some abnormal anatomic landmarks.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 320.
Dental Bio-Materials.
(2)
A survey of materials used in dentistry and dental hygiene and dental laboratory procedures.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 330.
Dental Health Education I.
(2)
This course includes the Etiology of prevalent oral diseases with a focus upon developing the education skills necessary to counsel dental hygiene patients. Dental and periodontal charting techniques are introduced.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 335.
Dental Office Emergencies.
(2)
An introduction to emergency situations in the dental office with emphasis on taking and recording health/dental history and procedures required to prevent occurrence of an emergency situation.
Restriction: DH majors only.
{Fall}
DEHY 340.
General and Oral Pathology.
(3)
Pathology of the head and neck and the major diseases that affect the oral cavity. Two lectures.
Restriction: DH majors only.
{Spring}
DEHY 360.
Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist.
(3)
Basic principles of pharmacology and their application to dental hygiene.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 370.
Special Care in Dental Hygiene.
(2)
A didactic course with topics covered to include medically and physically compromised patients, management of the geriatric population and hospital dentistry. Assigned rotations with affiliated health care facilities are a part of 440.
DEHY 400 / 500.
Current Issues in Dental Hygiene.
(3)
In depth discussions focusing on current issues facing the dental hygiene discipline.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 401.
Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture III.
(2)
Advanced clinical concepts and procedures.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 402.
Clinical Dental Hygiene III.
(3)
Students refine DH skills while learning new techniques. Emphasis is placed upon the quality of care the student renders.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 403.
Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture IV.
(2)
This course is designed to emphasize treatment of medically compromised patients. Guest speakers representing various dental specialties are also included.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 404.
Clinical Dental Hygiene IV.
(4)
Clinical course which helps the student develop time management skills necessary for private practice and provides an environment necessary to further develop the student's periodontal skills through routine periodontal treatment and periodontal surgery.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 407.
Problems.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Topical research and new procedures that cannot be accommodated in the regular dental hygiene curriculum. Hours arranged.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 410 / 510.
Dental Hygiene Research Methodology.
(3)
Developing of research in regard to special areas in dental hygiene with emphasis on writing reports.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 422.
Dental Public Health I.
(3)
Study of the dental care delivery system in the world today and a global perspective of the science of oral disease prevention.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 423.
Dental Public Health II.
(1)
Application of principles and objectives studied in 422. Students will plan and develop specific educational programs for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, mental retardation centers and other groups in the community.
Prerequisite: 422.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 440.
Extramural Experience.
(1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Provides the student with the opportunity to achieve educational and clinical skills and in depth knowledge in various dental care delivery systems.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 442.
Principles of Practice.
(2)
Introduction to dental hygiene professional ethics, professional association, principles, laws, regulations and office management.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 470.
Periodontology I.
(3)
Didactically covers basic biological principles and the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. Three lectures.
Restriction: DH majors only.
{Fall}
DEHY 480.
Local Anesthesia and Pain Control.
(3)
Instruction and clinical practice in the administration of local anesthetic agents and other pain control treatment modalities.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 500 / 400.
Current Issues in Dental Hygiene.
(3)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 501.
Dental Hygiene Administration.
(3)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 502.
Dental Hygiene Instructional Strategies.
(3)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 503.
Oral Medicine.
(3)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 504.
Dental Hygiene Internship.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 505.
Clinical Teaching and Administration.
(4)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 507.
Problems.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Topical research and new procedures that cannot be accommodated in the regular dental hygiene curriculum.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 510 / 410.
Dental Hygiene Research Methodology.
(3)
Developing of research in regard to special areas in dental hygiene with emphasis on writing reports.
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 538.
Statistics in Dental Hygiene Research.
(3)
This course is designed to provide a conceptual foundation of statistics related to basic, clinical and behavioral dental hygiene science.
Prerequisite: 510.
DEHY 560.
Nonthesis Project.
(3)
Restriction: DH majors only.
DEHY 599.
Dental Hygiene Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Continuation of research, culminating in Master’s Degree Thesis. The student is responsible for following procedures of the Office of Graduate Studies.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: DH majors only.
