DH 111 - Oral Examinations

Credits: 1
Instructional Contact Hours: 2

1. Describe the value of an oral cancer examination for the patient or dental professional.
   1. State the reason why hygienists must perform an oral cancer exam on each patient that is treated.  
   2. Describe how to complete an oral cancer examination on a patient.
   3. Determine the importance of documenting the results of the oral cancer examination.
   4. Discuss the value of the oral cancer examination.
   5. Determine why it is important to know the normal anatomy of the oral cavity.
   6. Analyze the differences and similarities of the terms sign, symptom and pathognomonic.
2. Explain the process of oral cancer examination to a patient or dental professional.
   1. Describe and determine when the five types of examinations may be completed.
   2. Analyze the differences and similarities of the examination methods of visual and palpation.
   3. Determine what instruments may be utilized during an oral examination and discuss why the instrument is utilized.
   4. Analyze the differences and similarities of the examination methods of percussion and electrical testing.
   5. Identify an example of utilizing auscultation during the oral examination.
   6. Analyze the differences and similarities of the terms bi-digital, bimanual and bilateral palpation techniques.
   7. Discuss why following a specific order during the oral examination is important.
   8. Discuss why it is important to teach all patients how to examine their own oral cavity for tissue changes.
   9. Determine how to teach the seven warning signs to a patient.
   10. Determine why it is important to palpate the lymph nodes of the head and neck.
3. Discuss the topics related to a patient with a suspicious and/or cancerous lesion.
   1. Describe the items to complete for a diagnostic workup.
   2. Describe the process of determining a differential diagnosis.
   3. Document the lesions using the:  ABCDT procedure.
   4. Analyze the differences and similarities of the terms biopsy and cytological smear.
   5. Analyze the differences and similarities of the terms excisional and incisional biopsy.
   6. Determine what the lab reports of Class I - Class IV indicate related to cancer.
4. Record tissue health within the oral cavity on a patient's chart.
   1. Analyze the differences and similarities of the basic oral pathological conditions found in the oral cavity.
   2. Define the term clinically normal.
   3. Analyze the differences and similarities of healthy free gingiva, attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa.
   4. Describe the normal and abnormal appearance of the free gingiva, attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa.
   5. Describe normal and abnormal interdental papilla.
5. Describe the impact to the oral cavity from orofacial dysfunctions.
   1. Determine how orofacial myology relates to the oral cavity of the dental patient.
   2. Analyze the similarities and differences of a normal swallow and a deviate swallow.
   3. Identify ten signs and symptoms of a deviate swallow.
   4. Identify and describe three causes of a deviate swallow.
   5. Determine how the causative factor changes the swallow pattern.
   6. Describe treatment for a deviate swallow.
   7. Identify how the dental hygienist will assess each patient for a deviate swallow pattern.
6. Determine how to complete a restorative and periodontal dental chart on a patient.
   1. Identify and describe five uses for completing charting on a patient.
   2. Analyze the differences and similarities of a geometric and anatomical dental chart.
   3. Analyze the differences and similarities of a chart for a primary and permanent dentition.
   4. Identify abbreviations utilized when completing a restorative and periodontal chart.
   5. Analyze the differences and similarities of the six G.V. Black’s Caries Classifications.
   6. Using the Universal numbering system determine the corresponding number or letter for all permanent and primary teeth.
   7. Applying the knowledge of charting read the restorative and periodontal chart to a dental professional.