Preventive and Community Dentistry, Nutrition and Dietetics

Recommended Prerequisites

- To have sucessfully completed the following course units: Human Anatomy; Head and neck Anatomy; Dental Anatomy; Histology and General and Dental Embryology; Epidemiology and Public Health; Physiology of the Stomatognathic System; Medical Microbiology.

- Basic English (reading comprehension of the recommended bibliography) and technology skills (e.g. usefull for article research).

- Work capacity and teamwork skills, as well as ability to interact with several population groups in community outreach activities focusing on health promotion.

Teaching Methods

The objectives related to each set of programmatic content will be clearly outlined. Previous knowledge appreciation will propiciate interactivity, enabling students to clarify doubts, to practice expressiveness and to be challenged by tasks and problems which resolution requires teamwork. Lecture and experimental presentations will be delivered and community interventions will be encouraged and planned

Practical classes will take place in the preclinical and clinical areas or in specific community environments. Conceptual references acquired in theoretical classes will be effectivelly appli

Learning Outcomes

Preventive dentistryaddresses several methodologies aiming oral health promotion and oral pathology prevention, at both individual and community levels. Thus, it is intended students will be able:

1.1 To indicate the principles upon which preventive dentistry study and intervention are based.

1.2 To adequately define and master preventive dentistry specific terminology.

1.3 To identify and analyse the most prevalent oral diseases and its etiological and prevention mechanisms.

1.4 To apply the scientific method regarding diagnosis matters and/or aiming to outline a preventive programme, at individual or community levels, in the preventive dentistry field.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. Theoretical classes: Oral environment: saliva, dental tissues, oral flora. Dental caries: epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, prevention; classification; vertical transmission. Periodontal diseases/oral cancer: aetiology, clinical characterization. Levels/means/agents of prevention and oral health promotion. Dental plaque disorganization: mechanical/chemical procedures. Fluoride therapy: bioavailability; uptake; metabolism; toxicity; topical and systemic mechanisms; indications and c.i; cost benefit analysis. Pit and fissure sealants: aim; materials; indications and c.i; cost benefit analysis; application technique. Epidemiological data collection. Dental caries risk/indexes. Dental plaque disclosing agents/indexes/control programmes. Diet/nutrition/oral health. II. Practical classes: Salivary assays. Risk/diagnosis/dental caries indexes. Oral flora/oral hygiene/dental plaque indexes. Pit and fissure sealants. Protective mouthguards. Oral health promotion community activities.

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Luísa Moreira Costa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Attendance, participation and attitude in lectures, practices and events in community intervention actions: 10.0%
Exam: 90.0%

Bibliography

1. Cuenca Sala E, Garcia PB. Odontología Preventiva Y Comunitária. 4ª ed. Barcelona: Masson, 2013.

2. WHO. Oral Health Surveys – Basic Methods. WHO, 1997.

3. Pereira, AC. Odontologia em saúde colectiva – planejando acções e promovendo saúde. Artmed Editora, 2003.

4. Garcia R R. Odontología Preventiva y Comunitaria. Tomos I y II Madrid. Ed. Avances. 2002. 

5. Fejerskov O, Kidd E. Dental Caries: The Disease and Its Clinical Management. Oxford : Blackwell Munksgaard. 2008.

6. Pine C. Community Oral Health. Ed. Wright. Oxford. 1998.

7. Referências bibliográficas complementares cedidas a propósito de cada tema leccionado.