Public Notice of Competence in Dental Hygiene Procedures
A large number of patient care services are taught in the dental hygiene curriculum. The following table lists the competency to which each is taught. Skills taught to didactic, lab competency, or clinical observation levels require additional education and training prior to the development of clinical competency.
Definition of Terms:
Didactic Only: Material/techniques are covered within the classroom setting only. Limited ability to deliver the service is expected within the curriculum. Additional instruction and practice are necessary prior to the delivery of the service.
Lab Competency: Material/techniques are covered within the classroom and laboratory setting. Limited ability to deliver the service to a patient in the clinic is expected within the curriculum. Additional instruction and practice are necessary prior to the delivery of the service.
Clinical Observation: Observation experience provided at clinical or extramural sites. Additional instruction and practice are necessary prior to the delivery of the service.
Clinical Competency: Material/techniques are covered within the classroom, laboratory and clinical setting. Ability to deliver the service is expected within the curriculum and is evaluated through the use of process/product evaluations.
Procedure Didactic Only Clinic Observe Lab Competency Clinical/Pre-clinic Competency
Administration of Local Anesthesia X
Air Polishing X
Alginate Impressions X
Application of Topical Anesthesia X
Biofilm and Stain Removal X
Blood Pressure (Vital signs) X
Cleaning of dental appliances X
Delivery of Nitrous Oxide X
Dental Charting X
Caries Detection X
Desensitization paste in clinic X
Diagnodent X
Emergency Management X
Extra and Intra-oral Examinations X
Finishing and Polishing Restorations X
Fluoride Tray Application X
Fluoride Varnish X
Hand Instrumentation X
Implant Maintenance X
Infection Control X
Instrument Sharpening X
Intra-oral Camera X
Medical and Dental Histories X
Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy X
Nutritional Counseling X
Patient Education X
Periodontal Assessment X
Periodontal Dressings X
Periodontal Surgery X
Pit and Fissure Sealants X
Placement of Locally-delivered Anti-microbials X
Plaque Index X
Powered Instruments X
Radiography: Conventional X
Radiography: Digital X
Records Management X
Soft Tissue Curettage X
Study Models X
Subgingival Irrigation X
Tobacco Cessation X
Tray Fabrication X
Treatment Planning X
