Dental Hygienist

“The oral cavity is a mirror of general health.”

Bachelor's degree programme, full-time study mode, single-subject, Czech, 3 years →

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A dental hygienist is a health professional that works with patients in the field of dental hygiene and focuses on prevention, treatment and education in the area of oral hygiene in cooperation with dentists. The main areas covered by this programme are prevention, periodontology and oral hygiene. The aim of the programme is to educate Bachelor-holding professionals that know the principles of oral hygiene and can use them in their profession. Both general and profession medical training enables them to understand the relationship between oral care and the biomedical and social sciences, and to use this knowledge in their occupation. They should be able to help patients maintain, improve and protect their health and prevent oral diseases. They educate and motivate individuals as well as groups to choose a healthy lifestyle, especially in the field of oral hygiene. Graduates will also be able to manage and run medical facilities, cooperate and work independently in some areas of research, and continually maintain and improve their knowledge and skills.

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After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

educate and instruct patients about regular, systematic preventive care for the oral cavity without supervision;
perform initial and control examinations in cooperation with a dentist, including obtaining a patient’s medical history, assessing the condition of periodontal structures and soft tissues, and making an approximate assessment of dentition and risk fact
determine the level of an individual’s oral hygiene, show techniques of oral hygiene to patients, practise these techniques with them, and evaluate their effectiveness without supervision;
perform educational activities focused on prevention of dental caries, periodontal diseases and orthodontic anomalies and healthy diet without supervision;
perform initial and control examinations in cooperation with a dentist;
take impressions of dental arches in cooperation with a dentist;
take impressions of dental arches in cooperation with a dentist;
remove dental biofilm and calculus, and polish teeth in cooperation with a dentist;
treat dentin hypersensitivity and apply prophylactic materials like fluorides, etc. in cooperation with a dentist;
remove plaque retention areas, contour and polish fillings in cooperation with a dentist;
perform professional teeth cleaning, bleaching and minor aesthetic corrections including application of dental jewellery in cooperation with a dentist;
inform a dentist about the results of treatment of patients and recommend intervals for regular examinations.

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Graduates can perform the main part of their work without supervision and can choose from various employment opportunities in both the private and public spheres. They will be able to work as employees as well as manage the operation of medical facilities for providing care in the scope of dental hygiene. Part of their work must be done in cooperation with dentists (according to dentists’ recommendations). Some procedures can only be performed under the direct supervision of a dentist. Moreover, students gain all skills necessary for the work of a dental assistant, which will increase their employment options even further.

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The standard length of this study programme is six semesters. During their studies, students must meet the minimal foreign language requirements and, if they are studying on a full-time basis, complete physical education requirements. The credits for both foreign language and physical education courses are included in the total number of ECTS credits.

Before taking the final state examination, students must obtain a total of 180 ECTS from among required, selective and elective courses. Students must obtain 61 credits by completing required courses. From the remaining 119 credits, a maximum of 10 credits may be obtained by completing elective courses. During the course of their studies, students need to follow the course catalogue for their year of matriculation. Course catalogues for individual years can be found on the faculty website http://www.med.muni.cz.

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An obligatory part of this curriculum is practical training under supervision in the extent of 735 hours. The practical training itself is divided into 6 semesters. In the first three semesters, this training is performed in specialized labs and in a seminar room at the Dental Clinic. In the fourth to sixth semesters, a part of the practical training is carried out in selected workplaces. Part of the training consists of educating people about best practices of oral hygiene in facilities such as kindergartens, elementary schools, and senior homes as well as in some hospital departments. After the first and second year, students must complete practical training in selected dental offices lasting 3 weeks for each academic year.

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The length of the programme is three years and is completed by passing the final state examination and successfully defending one’s Bachelor’s thesis. The final state examination includes the following subjects: Periodontology and oral mucous membrane disease, and Oral hygiene.

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None

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Students

Defended theses

Field of study specifications

Field of Study:	Dental Hygienist
Abbreviation:	DEHY
Code:	5345R028
Type:	Bachelor's degree programme
Degree:	Bc.
Accreditation:	to 31/12/2024
Programme:	B5345 B-SZ Specializations in Health Science