DHY 122 - Nutrition and Oral Disease Prevention

1. Differentiate between normal oral flora and those microorganisms that relate to disease states. 

2. Identify the major sources, functions, and digestion of micronutrients, macronutrients, water, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. 

3. Develop ways to individualize patient education around the theory related to oral health and disease in the following areas; a.types, composition, and characteristics of oral deposits such as plaque biofilm, calculus, and materia alba.

4. Understand the etiology and features of dental caries, remineralization, demineralization, and techniques used to prevent dental caries. (CODA standard 2-13)

5. Distinguish the characteristics of saliva that contribute to remineralization, restoration of pH, and digestion. 

6. Develop skills for utilization of a plaque index during patient education and treatment. 

7. Discuss the role of fluoride in the prevention of oral diseases and compare and contrast the views of the dental community, relevant research and claims of anti-fluoridationists’.

8. Determine appropriate fluoride therapies for individual patients based on analysis of caries risk, age and parental supervision. (CODA standard 2-13, 2-23).

9.  Demonstrate and identify patient education that is appropriate for patients of varying age groups and levels of dental understanding. (CODA standard 2-15)

10. Select and explain as if to a patient or another professional the rationale for recommendation of oral chemotherapeutic rinses and toothpastes based on analysis of assessment findings. (CODA standard 2-13, 2-23)

11. Select and demonstrate proper techniques for the use of oral plaque control aids including: a. toothbrushes; b. electric toothbrushes; c. flossing; d. other interproximal plaque control aids; e. oral irrigators. 

12. Determine protocol for cleaning dental appliances and maintaining implants as part of homecare measures.

13. Practice the performance of caries risk assessment with the GRCC CAMBRA form and analyze the gathered data to determine whether the patient has a low, moderate or high risk of decay.  (CODA standard 2-12, 2-13, 2-23)

14. Develop an individualized preventive self-care plan based on patient needs/conditions as well as a review of evidence-based research. (CODA standard 2-8d, 2-22 and 2-23).

15. Develop preventive counseling skills, including nutritional choices that will help to lower a patient’s risk for caries and periodontal disease. (CODA standard 2-8d)

16. Detail the components of and procedure for conducting diet screening, education, and guidance using the Diet Guidelines for Americans and USDA guidance system for various types of patients. 

17. Interpret nutritional food labels and calculate nutrient density and percent fat, identify hidden sugars, fats, and preservatives, and evaluate the overall healthfulness of the food. 

18. Analyze food journals and communicate the overall quality, balance, and potential for dental caries for a patient. 

19. Use creativity and alternative thinking to brainstorm new ideas and possible solutions to problems or issues. 

20. When communicating, use language that is appropriate to the audience. 

A. Primary

1. Nutritional counseling applications

2. Plaque control

3. Pit and fissure sealants

4. Community water fluoridation

B. Secondary

C. Tertiary

II. Nutrition and its role in dental health and disease

A. Identify major sources and functions of:

1. Micro- and Macronutrients

2. Water

3. Carbohydrates

4. Proteins

5. Lipids

B. Nutrient deficiencies and their effects on systemic disease and oral disease (including bone loss and wound healing).

III. Diet guidelines for Americans and USDA guidance system 

A. Interpreting food labels 

B. Analyzing food journals 

C. Identify cariogenic and cariostatic properties of food

D. Introduction to nutritional counseling 

IV. Dissecting Dental Plaque Biofilm

A. Identifying normal oral flora and those that relate to disease

B. Characteristics and composition

C. Adhesion and stages of plaque biofilm growth

D. Soft Deposits and Calculus

E. Patient education on plaque biofilm

V. Dental Caries 

A. Etiology

B. Demineralization

C. Remineralization

D. Prevention techniques

E. The important role of saliva in caries prevention 

VI. Caries Risk Assessment

A. GRCC caries risk assessment form and analysis of data to determine caries risk

B. Treatment recommendations based on risk

C. Counseling the patient on caries risk

VII. Introduction to dental plaque indices and their use in patient education and treatment

VIII. Fluoride in prevention of oral diseases

A. History and research

B. Types of Fluoride

C. Appropriate fluoride therapies for individual patients based on age and parental/guardian supervision

D. Fluoride therapy recommendations based on caries risk assessment and oral conditions

E. Antifluoridationists

IX. Patient education considerations for all ages and stages of life

A. Patient education universal approaches

B. Explaining plaque biofilms to patients of different ages and dental knowledge

C. Presenting the benefits of fluoride for children and adolescents 

D. Presenting the benefits of fluoride for adults during treatment planning explaining the demineralization/remineralization process

E. Introduction to periodontal risk, including plaque formation, retention, and nutritional considerations

X. Toothbrushes, Tooth brushing and Flossing

A. Toothbrush design

B. Tooth brushing methods

C. Efficacy of manual and electric tooth brushing

D. Toothbrushes and brushing for patients with different needs

E. Flossing technique

XI. Dentifrices and Chemotherapeutic Mouth rinses

XII. Care of Dental Prostheses and Implants

A. Instructing the partially edentulous patient

B. Removable oral appliances

C. Denture care

D. Care of dental implants

XIII. Determining Patient Motivation

A. Attitudes about oral health

B. Compliance and disease ownership

XIV. Introduction to Behavior Modification

XV. Health Education and Promotion

A. Utilizing visuals and written literature in patient education (including intra-oral photos)

B. Educational flipcharts

C. Preparing for classroom visit with first graders

XVI. Interproximal plaque control aids and supplemental aids

A. Design and rationale for each aid

B. Specific patient considerations

C. Tongue brushing/scraping

D. Oral irrigation

XVII. Caries Case Studies

A. Case study practice in class

B. Individual caries case study research paper

XVIII. Oral Health Counseling with Dental Hygiene Patients 

A. Communication skills 

B. Incorporating caries risk assessments and nutritional factors

C. Provide patient education and recommendations

XIX. Practice with ‘mock’ counseling sessions

Discussion: 30-50%

In-class activites and/or group work: 15-25%