Unit information: Oral Health Science Year 1 in 2016/17

Unit name	Oral Health Science Year 1
Unit code	ORDS20015
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Mrs. Woolley
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	N/A
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	Bristol Dental School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is only taught on the Diploma in Dental Hygiene.

Year 1

Elements:

1. Health Promotion & Planning
2. Dental Public Health & Evidence Based Advice
3. Special Care Dentistry
4. Gerodontology
5. Diet & Nutrition
6. Smoking Cessation
7. Toothpastes & Mouthwashes
8. Tooth-wear

The unit encompasses educational principles and methodology within Oral Health Promotion, looking at concepts of health, health behaviour and sociological influences community wide. Containing specific focus on the needs and management of different patient groups including children, adults, older people and those with special care requirements.

Also develops knowledge of the influence of secondary factors; such as smoking and diet on oral health, as well as providing information on preventive products.

Aims:

• The aim of this unit is to develop abilities in the recognition of needs and management of different patient groups.
• The unit will provide underpinning knowledge and preparation for treating patients with a variety of needs.
• The student will gain an understanding of the principles of evidence-based practice and be able to make appropriate decisions on patient care using this approach.
• The aim is to develop a rounded professional who will work well as part of a dental team and be well prepared and safe for independent practice, always putting the interests of patients first at all times.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• To recognise and take account of the needs of different patient groups including children, adults, older people and those with special care requirements throughout the patient care process.
• To describe the principles of an evidence-based approach to learning, clinical and professional practice and decision making.
• To recognise psychological and sociological factors that may contribute to poor oral health, the course of diseases and success of treatment.
• To describe the health risks of diet, drugs and substance misuse, and substances such as tobacco and alcohol on oral and general health and provide appropriate advice, referral and support.
• To describe the basic principles of a population health approach including demographic and social trends, UK and international oral health trends, determinants of health and inequalities in health, the ways in which these are measured and current patterns.
• To describe and evaluate the role of health promotion in terms of the changing environment, community and individual behaviours to deliver health gain.
• To explain evidence-based prevention and apply accordingly.
• To describe the principles of planning oral health care for communities to meet needs and demands.

Teaching Information

Small Group seminars

Independent study

Lectures

Clinical Placements/ Practical Skills

Assessment Information

Formative:

Health Promotion & Planning

Regular rotation of students to attend various schools, clinics & care homes to deliver dental health education. Students must plan these sessions, appropriate to the teaching required on the day. Qualified Oral Health Promoter gives verbal feedback and outcome questions.

Dental Public Health & Evidence Based Advice

Regular rotation of students to attend various outreach clinics and intensive care units to shadow staff and treat patients and deliver dental health advice. This is assessed as part of their clinical log books and each task graded with self-reflection and feedback from qualified clinical staff.

Special Care Dentistry

Regular rotation of students to attend various outreach clinics and intensive care units to shadow staff and treat patients with special needs. This is assessed as part of their clinical log books and each task graded with self-reflection and feedback from qualified clinical staff.

Gerodontology

Regular rotation of students to attend various outreach clinics and to give health promotion talks to elderly care homes. This is assessed as part of their clinical log books and each task graded with self-reflection and feedback from qualified clinical staff.

Diet & Nutrition

Regular rotation of students to attend various outreach clinics to shadow staff and treat patients with special needs. This is assessed as part of their clinical log books and each task graded with self-reflection and feedback from qualified clinical staff.

Smoking Cessation

Regular clinical rotations of students to attend various outreach clinics and treat patients in the BDH. This involves giving smoking cessation advice as part of their clinical treatment session. This is assessed as part of their clinical log books and each task graded with self-reflection and feedback from qualified clinical staff.

Toothpastes/Mouthwashes/Tooth-wear

Continuous assessment (CA) on clinic using a predetermined standard assessment scheme, graded with immediate feedback to the student by clinical staff. Reflective Practice – Each student to complete ongoing personal journal/log book/e-portfolio and opportunity to self-reflect and progress discussed with Tutors during and at the end of the Unit.

Students overall performance in the programme will be reviewed and discussed at the School Progress committee.

Failure to comply with completion of formative assessments by the stated end of term deadlines will be raised at the Progress Committee. Any performance not completed or deemed unsatisfactory will be reviewed along with the students overall performance and may affect the students progression. Students overall performance in the programme will be reviewed and discussed at the School Progress committee.

Summative:

This unit has no internal summative assessment. However, Oral Health Sciences topics can be assessed within Finals examinations for the Diploma in Dental Hygiene.

Reading and References

Clinical Textbook of Dental Hygiene and Therapy – Editor Suzanne Noble ISBN: 9780470658376

Department of Health, Delivering Better Oral Health, An evidence-based toolkit for prevention, 3^rd Edition 2014.