Ateneo - UPO

Advanced non-surgical periodontal instrumentation techniques.
Proper use of scalers and curettes (Gracey and universal curettes).
Ultrasonic instrumentation: operating principles, indications, and contraindications.
Root planing techniques.
Periodontal charting and recording of clinical indices.
Periodontal probing and assessment of periodontal disease.
Organization of the non-surgical periodontal therapy appointment.
Infection prevention and control procedures, sterilization, and instrument management.
Pit and fissure sealants: indications, contraindications, materials, clinical application technique, isolation of the operative field, evaluation, and follow-up.
Dental clinical photography: principles of intraoral and extraoral photography, use of cameras, mirrors, and cheek retractors, image standardization, and clinical case documentation.
Practical training on simulators and preparation for clinical activity with patients, integrated with the professional clinical internship.

Clinical Periodontology and Implant Dentistry – Jan Lindhe, Niklaus P. Lang, Tord Berglundh. Reference textbook for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases.Carranza's Clinical Periodontology – Michael G. Newman, Henry H. Takei, Perry R. Klokkevold. Reference textbook for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases.Wilkins' Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. Reference textbook for the clinical practice of dental hygiene.Clinical Textbook of Dental Hygiene and Therapy – Suzanne Noble and Jane A. Ireland. Comprehensive reference on clinical dental hygiene procedures.National and international scientific society guidelines and consensus documents on prevention, non-surgical periodontal therapy, pit and fissure sealants, and clinical dental photography.Teaching materials, handouts, and clinical protocols provided by the course instructor.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:Acquire skills in the use of manual and ultrasonic periodontal instrumentation for non-surgical periodontal therapy.Perform periodontal assessment through probing, recording of clinical indices, and completion of the periodontal chart.Apply evidence-based protocols for scaling and root planing in the management of periodontal diseases.Select the most appropriate instruments and clinical procedures according to the patient's needs and periodontal tissue conditions.Learn the technique for the application of pit and fissure sealants according to clinical indications and correct operative procedures.Acquire skills in performing and managing intraoral and extraoral clinical photography for case documentation and treatment planning.Apply infection prevention and control procedures, instrument management, and sterilization protocols according to current regulations.Develop manual skills, ergonomic posture, and professional behavior in simulated and clinical environments.Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills to provide safe, effective, and patient-centered dental hygiene care.

Students should have basic knowledge of oral anatomy, microbiology, oral and periodontal pathology, principles of prevention of oral diseases, and fundamental professional dental hygiene procedures.

Basic skills in the use of dental instruments, patient management, infection control procedures, and instrument sterilization protocols are required.

Knowledge of clinical ergonomics and operative procedures acquired during previous laboratory activities and professional internships is also recommended.

The teaching activities of Professional Laboratory II are based on a theoretical-practical approach aimed at developing the clinical and technical skills required for dental hygienists.The teaching methods include:Introductory lectures focused on theoretical principles, clinical indications, and operative protocols.Practical exercises on simulators and educational models to acquire manual and ultrasonic periodontal instrumentation techniques.Practical demonstrations by the instructor regarding clinical procedures, pit and fissure sealant application, and dental clinical photography.Individual and group laboratory activities aimed at improving manual skills, ergonomic working posture, and instrument management.Analysis and discussion of clinical cases to promote clinical reasoning and integration between theoretical knowledge and professional practice.Use of teaching materials, clinical images, and operative protocols to support learning.Integration with professional clinical internship activities to apply acquired skills in the clinical setting.

Additional teaching materials, operative protocols, and specific instructions will be provided by the instructor during the course.

The final assessment consists of a written examination with open-ended questions, aimed at evaluating students’ theoretical knowledge and their ability to integrate the contents acquired during Professional Laboratory II.

The written examination will include questions related to the main topics covered during the course, including:

Principles and techniques of manual and ultrasonic periodontal instrumentation.
Indications, contraindications, and procedures of non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Description of periodontal instruments and criteria for their selection according to different clinical conditions.
Periodontal assessment, clinical probing, and completion of the periodontal chart.
Techniques, materials, and indications for pit and fissure sealant application.
Principles and methods of intraoral and extraoral dental clinical photography.
Infection prevention procedures, sterilization, and instrument management.

The assessment will consider the completeness and accuracy of the answers, the ability to elaborate on the topics, the use of appropriate technical and scientific terminology, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the professional practice of dental hygiene.

ProgramThe Professional Laboratory II – Dental Hygiene program includes theoretical and practical activities aimed at acquiring the clinical, technical, and professional skills required for dental hygiene practice.Course Contents:Oral microbiota, bacterial biofilm, and bacteriophagesComposition and characteristics of the oral microbiota.Role of microbial biofilm in maintaining oral health balance and in the development of oral diseases.Interaction between microbiota, host, and oral environment.Microbiota dysbiosis associated with dental caries and periodontal diseases.Strategies for biofilm control and prevention.Biological characteristics of bacteriophages and their interaction with oral microbial communities.Potential applications of bacteriophages in the control of oral pathogens.Non-surgical periodontal instrumentationPrinciples of causal periodontal therapy.Manual instrumentation: characteristics, indications, and correct use of scalers and curettes (universal and Gracey curettes).Sonic and ultrasonic instrumentation:Physical principles of operation of sonic and ultrasonic devices.Differences between sonic, piezoelectric, and magnetostrictive systems.Characteristics of magnetostrictive systems: vibration generation through magnetic fields, tip movement, and clinical indications.Characteristics of piezoelectric systems: vibration generation through piezoelectric crystals and operating principles.Indications, contraindications, and precautions for the use of powered instrumentation.Selection of inserts and operating techniques according to deposits and root surface characteristics.Water management, aerosol control, and biological risk prevention.Techniques for supragingival and subgingival debridement and root planing.Periodontal clinical assessmentPeriodontal probing.Recording of clinical indices.Completion and interpretation of periodontal charts.Planning of professional dental hygiene sessions.Pit and fissure sealantsIndications and contraindications.Materials used.Operative field preparation and isolation.Sealant application technique.Evaluation and long-term maintenance.Dental clinical photographyPrinciples of intraoral and extraoral photography.Use of photographic equipment, mirrors, and cheek retractors.Image acquisition techniques.Standardization and archiving of clinical photographic documentation.Prevention and safetyInfection control procedures.Instrument sterilization and management.Safety regulations in the dental clinical environment.Practical activitiesTraining exercises on simulators and educational models.Application of manual, sonic, and ultrasonic instrumentation techniques.Practical training in the selection and use of ultrasonic inserts.Clinical case analysis and integration with the professional clinical internship.

Expected Learning OutcomesAt the end of Professional Laboratory II – Dental Hygiene, the student will be able to:Knowledge and understandingUnderstand the biological principles of the oral microbiota, bacterial biofilm, and the role of bacteriophages within the oral ecosystem.Understand the mechanisms underlying biofilm formation and its relationship with dental caries and periodontal diseases.Understand the theoretical principles of non-surgical periodontal therapy and the different approaches to manual, sonic, and ultrasonic instrumentation.Understand the technical characteristics and operating principles of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive systems.Know the indications, contraindications, and protocols related to pit and fissure sealants and dental clinical photography.Applying knowledge and understandingCorrectly apply manual and powered periodontal instrumentation techniques in patient management.Select the most appropriate instruments and inserts according to the type of deposit to be removed and the clinical condition.Correctly perform periodontal assessment, probing, and completion of clinical records.Apply operative procedures for pit and fissure sealant placement according to appropriate clinical protocols.Perform standardized intraoral and extraoral clinical photography for case documentation.Making judgementsEvaluate the patient’s clinical condition and identify the most appropriate operative approach.Integrate microbiological and clinical knowledge into the prevention and management of oral diseases.Recognize professional limitations and apply safety criteria in clinical practice.Communication skillsUse appropriate technical and scientific terminology within the field of dental hygiene.Communicate effectively with patients, promoting motivation, prevention, and treatment compliance.Collaborate with the dental team in the management of the therapeutic pathway.Learning skillsDevelop continuous learning skills through consultation of scientific literature and professional guidelines.Integrate new knowledge and technologies into dental hygiene clinical practice.