Course overview
This course aims to build upon the knowledge gained in first year, as well as introduce new areas of contemporary dental practice. It consolidates the role of the oral health practitioner in community dental health issues and further develops the knowledge of cariology, tooth wear and fluoride. Topics include: social determinants of disease, community health, risk assessment, association versus causation, the impact of public water fluoridation and fluoride vehicle efficacy.
Course learning outcomes
- Recognise and explain the complex multi-factorial aetiology of dental caries (including the development of the initial lesion), factors relating to the process of the demineralisation and remineralisation of teeth and broader social determinants including family, community and environmental factors.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the role of fluorides particularly with regard to historical background, physiology, the effect on the oral ecology and tissue changes observed over time.
- Understand and explain the natural phenomenon of toothwear and to be competent in assessment and management when this is occurring at a rate beyond normal.
- Define the terms health, health education, health promotion and apply them to the general and dental health setting in the management of individual patients and community groups.
- Describe the Ottawa Charter and Jakarta Declaration through the process of planning, developing, implementing and evaluating a group health education / promotion project.