Community Dental Health

Catalog description

Prepares dental hygiene students to promote oral health and prevent oral disease in the community. The concepts of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation phases of community-based programs are taught. The student will plan a community oral health education program to be implemented and evaluated in DEH2701L Community Dental Health Lab. Cultural differences, socioeconomic factors and barriers to healthcare are discussed in relation to developing preventive programs. Federal and state public health programs are discussed, as are current public health issues. Community oral health programs for vulnerable populations such as indigent, geriatric and special needs patients are included.