Infection Control and Safety in Oral Health Care (3cr)

Objectives (course unit)

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to ensure the operational readiness of the work environment and promote a culture of safe practices in oral health care settings.

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand the key points of legislation related to infection control necessary for dental hygienists.
• Understand infection control comprehensively in oral health care settings.
• Explain the principles of aseptic practice in oral health care.
• Describe the processes of instrument sterilization and their significance in infection control.
• Explain the essential aspects of patient safety and relevant legislation for dental hygienists.
• Explain the essential aspects of occupational safety and relevant legislation for dental hygienists.
• Evaluate the impact of their actions on patient safety and occupational safety.

Content (course unit)

Infection Control and Relevant Legislation in Oral Health Care
Key Occupational Safety Aspects for Dental Hygienists and Relevant Legislation
Key Patient Safety Aspects for Dental Hygienists and Relevant Legislation

Prerequisites (course unit)

Osallistunut opetukseen opintojaksolla:
Mikrobiologian perusteet suuhygienistin työssä

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student will be able to:
Recognize the key aspects of legislation concerning infection control relevant to dental hygienist work.
List the main factors for infection control in oral health care settings.
Enumerate the principles of aseptic practice in oral health care.
List the processes involved in instrument sterilization and maintenance.
Describe the essential aspects of occupational safety and relevant legislation for dental hygienist work.
Explain the critical aspects of patient safety and relevant legislation for dental hygienist work.
Evaluate the impact of their actions on patient and occupational safety.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is able to:

Understand the key points of legislation concerning infection control necessary for dental hygienist work.
Understand infection control comprehensively within the oral healthcare environment.
Explain the principles of aseptic practice in oral healthcare.
Explain the processes of instrument sterilization and their significance in infection control.
State the essential aspects and legislative points of occupational safety necessary for dental hygienist work.
State the essential aspects and legislative points of patient safety necessary for dental hygienist work.
Assess the impact of their actions on patient and occupational safety.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

In addition to a good level of proficiency, the student demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the learning objectives by explaining and justifying concepts and their interrelationships.

Location and time

Syyslukukausi 2025-

Exam schedules

Tentti viikko 49. Uusinta viikko 3-4 vuonna 2026. Toinen uusinta viikko 10-11 vuonna 2026.

Assessment methods and criteria

Opintojakson arvosana muodostuu ryhmätyön ja tentin keskiarvosta.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Opintojaksolla on käytössä opiskelijaa aktivoivat opetusmenetelmät.
Opiskelu sisältää itsenäistä opiskelua sekä ryhmätyötä.

Learning materials

Kurssikirjallisuus ilmoitetaan tarkemmin Moodlessa.

Student workload

Opintojakson laajuus on 3 opintopistettä, joka vastaa 81 tuntia opiskelijan työtä.

Completion alternatives

Ei valinnaisia suoritustapoja.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Työelämäyhteistyössä mukana Kiilto Oy.

Further information

Opintojaksolla on läsnäolopakko lähiopetukseen, opiskelija voi olla 1 kertaa pois opetuksesta.