Community Oral Health Practicum 1. 4 Credit Hours

Catalog description

Community Oral Health Practicum 1, offered in the fall semester, is the prerequisite course to Community Oral Health Practicum II offered in the spring semester. The purpose of this course is to instill in students the important role of the dental hygienist in the community, and to provide an understanding of the relationship of community oral health to public health. Students will have an opportunity to learn how to promote oral health and prevent oral disease in the community. Students will have an opportunity to learn concepts such as assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of community-based programs. During this course, the students will plan a community oral health education program that is implemented and evaluated during Community Oral Health Practicum II. Cultural differences, socioeconomic factors and barriers to health care are discussed in relation to developing preventive programs. In addition, students will have an opportunity to learn about federal and state public health programs and current public health issues. Community oral health programs for vulnerable populations such as indigent, geriatric, and special-needs patients are included. Also, students will have an opportunity to participate in community service learning activities that will allow them to provide clinical and educational services to underserved populations. The course includes three lecture hours and four clinical hours per week. Course fees: Practicum fee $10 per hour Prerequisites: DENH 3021 .