DH 237 Community Dental Health 1

An introduction to dental public health practices. Emphasis on use of an evidence based philosophy for incorporating scientific literature into community dental health practices. Instruction in basic research, statistical concepts and electronic data bases. Program planning is emphasized. Field work in public health clinics, with community groups for dental presentations and in public dental programs.

Credits

Prerequisite

Admission to the Dental Hygiene program

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand and apply concepts involved in the planning, implementation, operation and evaluation of community based oral health programs
2. Understand the process in which health policies are developed and regulated
3. Use indices and risk assessments to determine the need for education and interventions in community oral health programs
4. Understand the concepts of planning, implementing, and conduction observational studies, experimental studies, health services research, and policy analysis
5. Use biostatistics, research design, and epidemiology in the development of comprehensive oral health programs for the community
6. Perform critical evaluation of scientific literature, prepare research reports, and understand the protocol for the conduct of scientific studies
7. Understand the ethical issues in the design and conduct of research
8. Use the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention while working with community groups
9. Critically evaluate preventive technologies for adoption and use in oral health programs, and become familiar with current research in oral health promotion
10. Use knowledge of the delivery systems in dentistry to develop solutions to oral health problems in the community
11. Understand the cultural diversity as integral to effective health care delivery and the complexities of multiethnic dental care delivery
12. Prepare educationally appropriate instructional dental materials for community groups using computer skills for electronic library search, word processing and communication