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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
DEHY 210.
Head and Neck Anatomy.
(2)
Anatomy of head and neck with emphasis on oral structures and their function.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
DEHY 211.
Dental Anatomy.
(2)
A didactic and laboratory course in basic dental anatomy. Included is the study of the permanent and primary dentitions: form and function, and tooth identification.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
DEHY 250.
Gen Oral Hist and Embrey.
(2)
Study of cells, tissues, organ systems and embryology with emphasis on the oral structure.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
DEHY 302.
Clinical Dental Hygiene I.
(2)
Provides the student with hands-on experiences in a clinical setting. Students practice dental hygiene evaluative and instrumentation skills learned in 301.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
DEHY 304.
Clinical Dental Hygiene II.
(3)
This course 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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
DEHY 320.
Dental Bio-Materials.
(2)
A survey of materials used in dentistry and dental hygiene and dental laboratory procedures.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
DEHY 340.
General and Oral Pathology.
(3)
Pathology of the head and neck and the major diseases that affect the oral cavity.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
DEHY 360.
Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist.
(3)
Basic principles of pharmacology and their application to dental hygiene.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
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.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
DEHY 400.
Current Issues in Dental Hygiene.
(3)
In depth discussions focusing on current issues facing the dental hygiene discipline.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 401.
Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture III.
(2)
Advanced clinical concepts and procedures.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
DEHY 402.
Clinical Dental Hygiene III.
(3)
Students refine dental hygiene skills while learning new techniques. Emphasis is placed upon the quality of care the student renders.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
DEHY 405.
Dental Hygiene Clinical Instruction.
(3)
This course focuses on the study of dental hygiene clinical teaching, including how students learn psychomotor, decision-making and problem solving skills for clinical care and the various methods of teaching in clinic.
Restriction: admitted to online B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 410.
Dental Hygiene Research Methodology.
(3)
Developing of research in regard to special areas in dental hygiene with emphasis on writing reports.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
DEHY 415.
Advocacy and Leadership.
(3)
Advocacy skills, how to develop policy, make legislative changes and practice leadership that advance dental hygiene and ultimately improve patient care are studied in this course. High-level performing employee skills are reviewed.
Restriction: admitted to online B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 420.
Dental Hygiene Program Planning.
(3)
Course focuses on the creation of dental programs customized for specific target populations.
Restriction: admitted to online B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 441.
Dental Hygiene Business Principles.
(3)
This experience focuses on skills needed to begin a business, manage a project and coordinate a dental program.
Restriction: admitted to online B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 442.
Principles of Practice.
(2)
Introduction to dental hygiene professional ethics, professional association, principles, laws, regulations and office management.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Spring}
DEHY 443.
Dental Hygiene Teaching Strategies.
(3)
This experience course focuses on how people learn and strategies for teaching effectively, including experience developing dental hygiene courses as well as presentation strategies used when proposing a dental initiative. Organizational skills will be applied.
Restriction: admitted to online B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 470.
Periodontology I.
(3)
Didactically covers basic biological principles and the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{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: admitted to B.S.D.H. Dental Hygiene.
{Fall}
DEHY 500.
Current Issues in Dental Hygiene.
(3, may be repeated once Δ)
In depth discussions focusing on current issues facing the dental hygiene discipline.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 501.
Dental Hygiene Administration.
(3)
Principles of management and administration in a variety of settings and in-depth discussions of ethics in dental hygiene.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 502.
Dental Hygiene Instructional Strategies.
(3)
Theories and concepts on the teaching of dental hygiene students and presenting research to national and international audiences.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 503.
Oral Medicine.
(3)
Didactic course focusing on the assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, treatment plan, treatment, referral and evaluation of dental hygiene cases.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 504.
Dental Hygiene Internship.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Practical experience in a public, private or non-profit organization, supervised by a professional with an academic component overseen by a UNM instructor.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 505.
Clinical Teaching and Administration.
(3)
The theory and practice of laboratory, pre-clinical and clinical dental hygiene instruction with emphasis on the coordination of clinical dental hygiene education.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
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: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 510.
Dental Hygiene Research Methodology.
(3, may be repeated once Δ)
Developing of research in regard to special areas in dental hygiene with emphasis on writing reports.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
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.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 560.
Nonthesis Project.
(3)
A graduate project which does not include the conduct of research, but does include a comprehensive review of the literature on a specific, approved topic by the Division of Dental Hygiene.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 561.
Advanced Dental Hygiene Clinic.
(6)
Clinical and didactic course which focuses on advanced dental hygiene therapy theory and practice working with interdisciplinary health care workers in a variety of settings. Plan II students only.
Restriction: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
DEHY 562.
Primary Dental Care.
(3)
Clinical and didactic course which focuses on theory and practice of primary dental care.
Prerequisite: 561.
DEHY 599.
Dental Hygiene Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis. 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: admitted to M.S. Dental Hygiene.
