Community Oral Health.

Catalog description

This course provides the student with the components of dental public health, community dentistry and the theory needed to design and implement sound patient education. This course will be grounded in theories of behavioral sciences and human growth and development. Students are introduced to the concepts associated with preventive community health care along with the skills needed to function within the community as an advocate of oral health and preventive care. Topics include; patient motivation, goal setting, communication skills, developing instructional objectives and sensitivity towards multi-cultural concerns. Public health issues are discussed along with epidemiology, research in education and statistical analysis. This course will examine the role of the dental hygienist as a health educator and as an oral health promoter responsible for working with patients to help them improve or maintain their oral health and wellness and also to understand the relationship between both. Additionally, it is the goal of the course to assist the student in examining their own knowledge, attitudes, values, and behaviors regarding oral health and to assist them in becoming effective health promoters to the dental hygiene patient. Clinical experiences expand to include the community, such as schools, health care agencies, veterans shelters, outreach centers and clinics. A three-hour weekly practicum experience is included. Completion of this course with a final grade of C+ or better must be achieved in order to advance in the DHY program. Spring. Prerequisites: DHY 207 , DHY 208 (corequisites).