DHYG-316 : Community Dental Health and Statistics I

This Community Dental Health hybrid course is designed to introduce the dental hygiene students to the dental public health delivery system in the United States and abroad, with emphasis on the governmental structures affecting dental hygiene care delivery. The historical development of the profession of dental hygiene, focusing on its inception as the true public health profession, will be presented. The prevention modalities encompassing public health dental hygiene will be discussed, including water fluoridation, dental sealants, fluoride mouth rinse programs, dental screening, dental health promotion and education activities, tobacco cessation programs 3 and other oral health interventions. Emphasis will be placed on the collaboration and partnership with a variety of health care professionals outside of the private dental practice delivery system as the student assesses, plans, implements and evaluates a public oral health program. A sociological approach include issues surrounding race, class, gender, the economy and legislation will also be introduced.