39208 - Laboratory Practice 3

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student possesses the skills necessary to perform all procedures within the scope of practice of a dental hygienist. In particular, the student is able to:

• Sit correctly on the stool and maintain proper working posture to avoid fatigue, harmful compensatory positions, and reduce the risk of occupational diseases.

• Properly position the patient's body and head depending on the area of the mouth being treated, to enhance treatment effectiveness and improve patient comfort.

• Use equipment in the safest, most comfortable, and effective manner to minimize the risk of injury and improve the quality of care.

• Perform non-surgical periodontal instrumentation using both manual and mechanical techniques.

• Reassess the patient at the end of causal therapy.

• Identify and recommend appropriate oral hygiene tools for home use.

• Apply all of the above to patients of all ages and conditions, adapting approaches to meet each individual's specific needs.

Course contents

The laboratory will take place in the Department of Conservative Dentistry at the University Dental Clinic. Equipped with proper clinical attire, the student will have the opportunity to alternate at the dental chair and practice the techniques and procedures that form the foundation of the dental hygienist's role in the fields of conservative and endodontic dentistry. Students will become familiar with the instruments used in clinical practice and will perform procedures such as: rubber dam placement using different techniques, dental bleaching protocols, treatments to manage dentinal hypersensitivity, resin infiltration procedures, and the use of air-polishing devices. This practical experience enables students to apply the knowledge acquired during theoretical lessons and progressively develop technical and operational skills, moving toward increasing levels of clinical autonomy.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist – Linda Boyd et al. (13a‑14a ed.).
2. ongbloed-Zoet C. The role of the in promoting oral health. J.Int J Dent Hyg. 2020 May;18(2):127. doi: 10.1111/idh.12436.
3. Parker JL, Dolce MC. Defining the 's Role in Improving Population Health through Interprofessional Collaboration. J Dent Hyg. 2017 Apr;91(2):4-5.
4. Hamasaki T, Kato H, Kumagai T, Hagihara A. Association Between Dentist- Communication and Treatment Outcomes. Health Commun. 2017 Mar;32(3):288-297.
5. Sabatini et al. Effectiveness of Ultrasonic and Manual Instrumentation in Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy: Are Additional Therapies More Effective? A Systematic Review. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 1950.
6. https://www.sidp.it/la-societa/linee-guida-sidp/.

Teaching methods

The course will take place in the Operative Dentistry Department of the Dental Clinic, where students—wearing appropriate clinical uniforms—will engage in simulated clinical activities. Each student will alternate between the roles of primary and secondary operator, allowing them to gain a comprehensive understanding of clinical workflows and teamwork. At the beginning of each session, materials and techniques will be presented, and students will then apply them in hands-on exercises. Throughout the course, students will be closely supervised by course tutors, who will provide guidance, observe performance, and offer targeted feedback to identify any areas for improvement and to support the development of technical and procedural skills.

Assessment methods

The student will successfully complete the laboratory upon reaching at least 80% attendance. The final grade will be officially recorded as a weighted average of the marks obtained in the courses "Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics and Dental Materials" and "Professional Oral Hygiene Techniques 3".

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

The student will have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art materials and learn techniques essential for effective clinical practice. Before performing procedures directly at the dental chair, the student can practice on models to develop manual skills and confidence. During clinical activities, the student will be supervised by experienced tutors who will provide guidance and feedback. This approach allows the student to improve material handling and technical execution in a real clinical environment.

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Mazzitelli