Name of the placement:
Preventive Oral Healthcare Placement
Activities during the placement: The placement is carried out at healthcare institutions providing real dental services. During it, by observing the work of a dental hygienist, students develop competences in professional communication with patients and improve their ability to objectively assess the amount of dental plaque and oral hygiene status. They also gain practical skills in applying evidence-based principles of individual oral hygiene education and selecting appropriate oral hygiene products according to the needs of different patient groups. Particular attention is given to the following patient groups: parents of pre-school-age children, children and adolescents aged 8–18 (both wearing and not wearing orthodontic appliances), pregnant women, people with dental prostheses, elderly patients, and patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.
- Placement scope (credits)
3
- Placement scope (percentage)
7
- Placement duration (hours)
84
Name of the placement:
Clinical Dental Hygiene Placement I (Introductory)
Activities during the placement: During the placement, students develop their practical skills and strengthen their professional qualification by carrying out procedures in real clinical conditions. Students perform an intraoral and extraoral examination of the patient using an intraoral camera, distinguish and diagnose dental caries and non-carious dental lesions, calculate the DMFT and dmft indices, and use hand-held periodontal instruments to remove supragingival and subgingival calculus in patients of various ages with mild gingivitis. Polishes tooth surfaces using polishing pastes, draws up a treatment plan in line with the principles of sustainable healthcare, and selects individual oral hygiene products according to the patient’s needs, based on evidence-based information.
- Placement scope (credits)
6
- Placement scope (percentage)
13
- Placement duration (hours)
162
Name of the placement:
Clinical Dental Hygiene Placement II (Advanced)
Activities during the placement: During the placement, by carrying out procedures in real clinical conditions, students refine their practical skills and strengthen their professional qualification. During the placement, students become familiar with modern dental equipment and acquire practical skills in working with it. During practical activities, students carry out an intraoral and extraoral examination of the patient, using an intraoral camera. Identifies changes in the gums and periodontium: measures the depth of gum pockets using a periodontal probe, assesses tooth mobility, and calculates the DMFT, dmft, GI and OHI-S indices. Students remove supragingival and subgingival calculus using periodontal instruments and an ultrasonic scaler for patients of all ages with mild or severe gingivitis or pigmented plaque, as well as for patients wearing various orthodontic appliances; polish tooth surfaces using professional polishing pastes; draw up a treatment plan taking into account the condition of the patient’s oral cavity; and select individual oral care products, in line with the principles of sustainable healthcare and based on scientific evidence.
- Placement scope (credits)
6
- Placement scope (percentage)
13
- Placement duration (hours)
162
Name of the placement:
Patient and Community Oral Health Clinical Placement
Activities during the placement: During the placement, students’ practical skills are refined and their professional qualification strengthened in real practical and educational situations, in line with the principles of sustainable healthcare. Students apply the general and specialist knowledge and practical skills they have acquired when providing professional oral hygiene procedures to patients of all ages with mild or severe gingivitis or pigmented plaque, as well as to patients wearing various orthodontic appliances or removable dentures, or with bridges, crowns and implants, using modern dental technologies and equipment. Carries out an assessment of the condition of the gums and periodontium, identifying changes and calculating the DMFT, dmft, GI, OHI-S and CPITN indices. Removes supragingival and subgingival calculus using periodontal instruments and an ultrasonic scaler, and applies an airflow system as needed, distinguishes between physiological and pathological occlusion, and identifies mucositis and peri-implantitis in the oral cavity. Polishes tooth surfaces using professional polishing pastes and selects fluoride preparations according to patients’ needs. Draws up a treatment plan taking into account the condition of the patient’s oral cavity, and selects individual oral care products, based on scientific evidence. Prepares and delivers oral health education for people of different ages and risk groups in the community, working together with dentists and public health specialists, based on scientific evidence.
- Placement scope (credits)
9
- Placement scope (percentage)
21
- Placement duration (hours)
252
Name of the placement:
Final placement in clinical oral health
Activities during the placement: During the final clinical oral health placement, in order to ensure the development and improvement of professional qualifications, students analyse their progress in developing professional skills throughout the course of their studies and refine the practical abilities acquired during clinical placements. While carrying out professional dental hygiene procedures, students work independently and/or in a team, communicating and collaborating effectively with colleagues and other personal healthcare specialists. Students demonstrate knowledge of occupational safety and hygiene requirements, and ensure the protection of patients’ ethical and legal interests. Guided by the principles of sustainable healthcare, they provide oral care services in line with the latest scientific advances and technologies, including the examination of oral health status, the provision of individualised services based on patient needs, and a standardised assessment of oral health status and the need for preventive and interventional procedures. During the placement, students remove adhesive materials from tooth surfaces, and apply the ICON tooth-stain removal procedure. Drawing on the results of scientific research, they systematically carry out oral health education for individuals and communities, conduct applied research, and carry out tasks agreed in advance with the placement supervisor.
- Placement scope (credits)
21
- Placement scope (percentage)
46
- Placement duration (hours)
567
Total:
- Placement scope (credits)
45
- Placement scope (percentage)
100
- Placement duration (hours)
1,227
Choice of placement venues:
Students on the Preventive Oral Healthcare placement can choose or find a placement in Klaipėda city, Klaipėda district, the Western Lithuania region, or anywhere else in Lithuania or abroad.
Final clinical oral health placements are carried out at:
Amberdenta Dental Practice, UAB Codantis, UAB Jurdemika, UAB Mejdenta, UAB IK odontologijos klinika, PE Seafarers’ Healthcare Centre, UAB Puriena Medical Centre, UAB Danvitė Plius, Deidenta, UAB Vyjodenta Dental Clinic, Šilutė Dental Centre, Klaipėda Affidea Clinic, UAB Sveikatos darna in Šilutė, Lela Dental Centre, Klaipėda Dental Centre, Evadenta Dental Clinic, Kopų Dental Clinic, UAB Juridenta, UAB Jurgilė Dental Clinic, Taikos Dental Clinic, Bokštų Dental Clinic, UAB Dantistai, UAB InMedica Dental Clinic, Šeimos Dental Centre, RB&PP Surgical Dentistry and Facial Aesthetics Clinic, UAB Klaipėdos ortodontijos centras, Lavidenta Dental Clinic, MB MJ klinika, Vaidenta Clinic, Unikornas Dental Clinic, Inga Kniukštienė’s Dental Clinic, V. Juzumienė’s Clinic, UAB Lucida Linea, Klaipėda Orthodontics and Dentistry Centre, Liepų Dental Clinic, Švyti Dental Clinic, Danės Dental Clinic, and others.
Other companies and organisations related to the development of dental care and education: The Lithuanian Dental Chamber, the Lithuanian Dental Hygienists’ Association.
