Allied Dental
MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
DENTAL HYGIENE CAPSTONE COMPETENCIES
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM, GRADUATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
1. Demonstrate professional characteristics and caring attributes by:
a. focusing on the patient’s needs and well-being,
b. adhering to a published dental hygiene code of ethics,
c. accepting and following through with professional responsibilities,
d. exhibiting professional appearance and demeanor,
e. promoting the importance of wellness for oneself and the community,
f. working to advance public awareness and understanding of the profession, and
g. functioning as an integral member of the oral health care team.
2. Provide preventive and therapeutic oral health care by:
a. 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;
b. applying appropriate evidence-based clinical intervention (debridement, application of therapeutic agents, managing pain and anxiety, providing basic life support);
c. synthesizing and applying research findings, preventive concepts and services;
d. educating patients about oral health self care and its effect on total health ; and
e. maintaining an environment that adheres to current infection control guidelines, safety regulations and patient privacy rights.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and effective communication skills by:
a. cultivating effective interpersonal relationships with diverse population groups (patients, colleagues, other health professionals, and community resource personnel);
b. exhibiting effective verbal and written communication skills;
c. acknowledging problems and using intervention skills in seeking effective solutions;
d. applying the principles of quality assurance and self evaluation;
e. managing time and stressful situations;
f. demonstrating computer literacy as it relates to patient care;
g. presenting comprehensive patient care plans with explanations of procedures; and
h. documenting dental hygiene services accurately.
4. Maintain professional growth and perpetual learning by:
a. reading current professional literature to provide evidence-based care;
b. interpreting, evaluating and applying research findings to dental hygiene and health practices; and
c. participating in continuing education seminars.
5. Promote community health and services by:
a. recognizing the diversity in the various patient communities that affect the delivery of dental hygiene care,
b. developing community oral health promotion strategies,
c. collaborating with other disciplines and various agencies to cultivate health promotion behavior,
d. participating in community-based service-learning experiences, and
e.
advocating
access to care and services.
MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
EXPANDED DUTY DENTAL ASSISTING CAPSTONE COMPETENCIES
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS DIPLOMA PROGRAM, GRADUATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
1. Demonstrate professional characteristics and caring attributes by:
a. focusing on the patient’s well being,
b. applying the ADAA Code of Ethics,
c. exhibiting professional appearance and demeanor,
d. promoting the importance of wellness for oneself and the community,
e. affirming the importance of maintaining current credentials required by the profession,
f. working to advance public awareness and understanding of the profession, and
g. functioning as an integral member of the oral health team.
2. Demonstrate appropriate Expanded Duty Dental Assisting knowledge and clinical skills by:
a. assisting in clinical dental procedures;
b. performing basic and supportive lab procedures;
c. displaying computer literacy in various dental software programs;
d. producing accurate diagnostic records;
e. maintaining an environment that adheres to current infection control guidelines, safety regulations and patient privacy rights;
f. recognizing and assisting in emergency procedures;
g. designing, implementing and evaluating individualized patient preventive therapies, as legally allowed;
h. monitoring pain and anxiety control modalities; and
i. applying specific therapeutic agents.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and effective communication skills by:
a. performing office management procedures,
b. establishing productive working relationships with all members of the oral health care team,
c. acknowledging problems and using intervention skills in seeking feasible solutions,
d. exhibiting effective verbal and written communication skills, and
e. presenting comprehensive patient care plans and explanations of procedures.
4. Maintain professional growth and development by:
a. participating in continuing education experiences,
b. reading and evaluating current professional literature, and
c. applying new information to Expanded Duty Dental Assisting and health practices.
5. Promote community health by:
a. recognizing the diversity in the various patient communities that affect the delivery of dental care,
b. working in collaboration with other professionals and agencies,
c. providing health education to influence behavior, and
d. participating in community-based service learning experiences.