DH 111 - Oral Examinations

Credits: 1
Instructional Contact Hours: 2

Provides opportunity to practice skills necessary to perform dental charting and oral cancer examinations. Examines the various parts of dental appliances.

Prerequisite(s): DH 100 and DH 101 each with a C (2.0) minimum grade and admission to the Dental Hygiene Program
Corequisite(s): DH 110, DH 112, DH 114, DH 115, DH 116, DH 118
Lecture Hours: 0 Lab Hours: 30
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives

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.
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. Determine why it is important to know the normal anatomy of the oral cavity.
5. Describe differences and similarities of the terms sign, symptom and pathognomonic.
Explain the process of oral cancer examination to a patient or dental professional.
1. Describe the types of examinations that may be completed in a dental office.
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.
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. Describe 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.
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.
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.