vcc.ca
DHYG 2145: Dental Anatomy
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Dental Hygiene
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course introduces the learner to dental anatomy and histology and embryology of orofacial tissues as it relates to human function and health. Orofacial development, developmental anomalies and conditions, tooth eruption, and tooth morphology including identification, crown and root anatomy features, and associated dental terminology and nomenclature are studied with an emphasis on clinical considerations and its relevance to the provision of dental hygiene care.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply dental terminology and anatomical terms to describe intraoral positions of teeth for documentation in the clinical context.
- Describe anatomy, morphology, and function of each tooth in the permanent and primary dentition.
- Apply nomenclature coding systems for each tooth in the primary and permanent dentition.
- Explain the stages of tooth development and the histological development of orofacial tissues including dental anomalies and conditions .
- Describe tooth eruption and patterns for eruption and exfoliation of primary and permanent teeth.
- Identify and describe the clinical significance and histological features of tooth tissues, and supporting structures and tissues of the periodontium.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
PLAR is applied in alignment with the Procedures of Policy D.3.5 - Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.
Students will be assessed by a Challenge Exam, including both written and Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) components, designed to validate the knowledge of the candidate as it relates to the course learning outcomes.
Students will be assessed by a Challenge Exam, including both written and Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) components, designed to validate the knowledge of the candidate as it relates to the course learning outcomes.
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 39
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 12
Total Hours: 51
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 12
Total Hours: 51
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies include hands-on experiential individual and group work, cooperative learning group discussion, lecture/seminar sessions to integrate knowledge into dental hygiene practice.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
10 |
Dental Anatomy Presentation |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
25 |
3-5 Formative quizzes |
|
Assignments |
15 |
|
|
Midterm Exam |
20 |
Written Exam |
|
Final Exam |
30 |
Written Exam |
Course topics
- Embryology and histological development of orofacial tissues
- Dental terminology, anatomical terms, and nomenclature coding systems
- Dental morphology, anatomy, and function of permanent and primary dentition
- Developmental and regressive/acquired anomalies of the head, neck and oral tissues
- Tooth eruption and exfoliation
Learning resources
Course resource information will be supplied by the department/instructor.
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.