Frank Roberts and Diane Daubert

2 Credits / Quarter 6 (Winter, Second Year)

Course Description

Multidisciplinary in approach, this course is under the direction of the Department of Periodontics. The course serves as an introduction and overview to prevention in dentistry. Students will work in pairs treating each other during Winter Quarter to prepare for providing patient care in the Spring Quarter (PERIO 526).

Educational Objectives

1. At the completion of the course, the student will be able to perform screening and comprehensive periodontal examinations, record clinical findings, and identify and remove plaque and calculus. The student will be able to:

  1. Describe the steps to be taken in performing a detailed periodontal examination.
  2. Select the correct symbols to be used in recording the clinical findings of a periodontal examination.
  3. Identify the radiographic findings of periodontal disease.

2. At the completion of the course, the student will be able to discuss in oral and written form, the benefits of devices used and problems of patient compliance encountered in plaque control instruction.
The student will be able to:

  1. Identify characteristics and purposes of disclosants.
  2. Perform a plaque index.
  3. Describe the benefits and limitations of a variety of commercially available plaque control devices.
  4. Identify factors associated with high and low patient compliance with prescribed regimens.
  5. Keep his/her mouth under good plaque control.

3. At the completion of the course, the student will be able to discuss in written and oral form, the purpose of, indications for and techniques involved in scaling and coronal polishing. the student will be able to:

  1. Identify those areas of the mouth where there is an increased disposition of calculus.
  2. Describe the characteristics of various periodontal scalers, curettes, and powered instruments and their indicated use.
  3. Identify true statements regarding periodontal instrument sharpening.
  4. Provide oral hygiene instruction and satisfactorily performed prophylaxes on a classmate.
  5. Pass a competency exam in Preclinical Scaling and Root Planing.

Course Outline

Topics covered include detailed examination of the dentition and periodontal structures, dental disease indices, oral hygiene instruction and compliance, and an introduction to scaling and root curettage.

Course Expectations

To meet the requirements of this course successfully, the student must: 1) attend lectures and demonstrate her/his understanding of the lecture material and supplemental reading through weekly quizzes and a final examination, and 2) attend clinic and demonstrate her/his understanding of the materials through weekly clinical performance and a competency exam.


Competencies Addressed

  • UWSOD Competency 4: Provide patient education in the prevention of oral diseases to promote oral and general health.
  • UWSOD Competency 14: Manage periodontal diseases.
  • UWSOD Competency 26: Evaluate the outcomes of treatment.


  • Clinical Periodontology by Newman, Takei, Klokkevold, and Carranza, 10th Ed. 2006
  • Course Website

*last updated: 2/12/2013

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