Allied Dental
DENTAL HYGIENE CAPSTONE COMPETENCIES:
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM, GRADUATES
SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Demonstrate Professional Characteristics and Caring Attributes by:
- focusing on the patient’s needs and well-being;
- adhering to a published dental hygiene code of ethics;
- accepting and following through with professional responsibilities;
- exhibiting professional appearance and demeanor;
- promoting the importance of wellness for oneself and the community;
- working to advance public awareness and understanding of the profession, and
- functioning as an integral member of the oral health care team.
Provide Preventive and Therapeutic Oral Health Care by:
- assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing and evaluating dental
hygiene services in a variety of health care settings for a wide scope
of patients (children, adult, geriatric and special needs) who are
experiencing the full range of periodontal disease types;
- applying appropriate evidence-based clinical intervention (debridement,
application of therapeutic agents, managing pain and anxiety, providing
basic life support);
- synthesizing and applying research findings, preventive concepts and
services;
- educating patients about oral health self care and its effect on total
health; and
- maintaining an environment that adheres to current infection control
guidelines, safety regulations and patient privacy rights.
Demonstrate Critical Thinking and Effective Communication Skills by:
- cultivating effective interpersonal relationships with diverse population
groups (patients, colleagues, other health professionals, and community
resource personnel);
- exhibiting effective verbal and written communication skills;
- acknowledging problems and using intervention skills in seeking effective
solutions;
- applying the principles of quality assurance and self evaluation;
- managing time and stressful situations;
- demonstrating computer literacy as it relates to patient care;
- presenting comprehensive patient care plans with explanations of procedures; and
- documenting dental hygiene services accurately.
Maintain Professional Growth and Perpetual Learning by:
- reading current professional literature to provide evidence-based care;
- interpreting, evaluating and applying research findings to dental hygiene and health practices, and
- participating in continuing education seminars.
Promote Community Health & Services by:
- recognizing the diversity in the various patient communities that affect
the delivery of dental hygiene care;
- developing community oral health promotion strategies;
- collaborating with other disciplines and various agencies to cultivate
health promotion behavior;
- participating in community-based service-learning experiences, and
- advocating access to care and services.