MCCCD Program Description

Prevention of Dental Disease

Course: DHE127

First Term: 2000 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Introduction of preventive concepts to help clients achieve control of oral diseases and injury. Topics include etiologic agents, caries process, nutrition, fluorides, sealants and patient/client motivation techniques. Multi-media resources used extensively

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Critically evaluate the scientific dental literature related to prevention of dental diseases using multi-media resources. (I) 2. Describe the acquisition and composition of soft and hard deposits as well as stains and saliva, correlating them to health and disease in the oral cavity. (II) 3. Describe the process of dental caries. (III) 4. Evaluate toothbrushes and adjunct aids and select the most appropriate methods based on client needs. (IV) 5. Describe various learning styles and interpersonal communication techniques used to motivate clients in their oral self care. (IV) 6. Describe and select dentifrices and adjunct chemotherapeutic agents based on client needs. (IV) 7. Describe the uptake and metabolism of the fluoride ion and cite its effects on enamel. (IV) 8. Describe systemic and topical fluorides and their various modes of delivery in the reduction of caries. (IV) 9. Describe the rationale and indications for the use of pit and fissure sealants. (IV) 10. Describe tobacco cessation programs and oral injury prevention methods. (IV) 11. Explain the purpose, characteristics and scoring range of oral hygiene indexes. (V) 12. Describe the basic principles of human nutrition and the role of nutrition in the prevention of oral diseases. (VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Review of Dental Literature A. Rationale B. Analyzing Techniques C. Scientific Journals and Electronic Media D. Oral/written Presentations II. Causative Factors A. Oral Microbiota B. Soft Deposits C. Hard Deposits D. Stains E. Role of Saliva F. Other Contributing Factors III. Dental Caries A. The Caries Process B. Classification and Types C. Early Childhood Caries D. Root Caries IV. Preventive Measures A. Oral Hygiene Devices and Techniques 1. Toothbrush Selection and Techniques 2. Dental Floss Selection and Techniques 3. Adjunct Aids 4. Power Assisted Devices 5. Dentifrices 6. Mouth Rinses and Chemotherapeutic Agents 7. Disclosing Agents B. Oral Hygiene Education 1. Dental Health Education Programs 2. Learning Styles 3. Client Motivation 4. Communication Skills C. Fluorides 1. Effect of Fluoride on Dentition 2. Topical Fluoride Compounds 3. Techniques of Application 4. Systemic Fluorides 5. Fluoride Toxicity D. Sealants 1. Rationale 2. Effectiveness E. Tobacco Cessation Programs 1. In-office Programs 2. Nicotine Patches and Gums 3. Spit-tobacco Education F. Oral Injury Prevention Programs V. Oral Hygiene Indexes A. Introduction to Use of Oral Hygiene Indexes B. Purpose C. Characteristics D. Scoring Range VI. Nutrition A. Basic Principles of Human Nutrition 1. Food Pyramid 2. Proteins, Fats and Carbohydrates 3. Vitamins, Minerals and Water 4. Effects of Medications and Alcohol on Nutritional Status 5. Nutrition Quackery B. Dietary Considerations in the Prevention of Oral Diseases

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 11/23/1999

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.