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Unit of study_
DENT5013: Preventative Dentistry
2022 unit information
Dental disease remains prevalent in Australia. The AIHW reports that in 2010, 55% of 6 year olds; 48% of 12 year olds in their deciduous and permanent dentitions, respectively.The burden of this disease is significant and falls inequitably on those who are the most socially disadvantaged and those least able to access expensive treatment.The most ethical and cost-effective manner of addressing oral disease is through preventative dental care.This unit of study will permit post-graduate students to gain an understanding of the factors that place an individual at risk of dental disease, including dental caries, oral cancer and periodontal disease. Students will examine the impact of such disease through a public health lens.Students will also learn the theoretical basis for preventative dental care and how this knowledge may be applied for population-level effect.Particular emphasis will be placed on the Australian context, whilst acknoweldging global epidemiological trends. The ability to source and identify high-quality information is key to the practice of public health. As such, students will learn how to search and critically analyse the dental evidence base in order to identify robust material.The course may also be suitable for other MPH and MIPH students who wish to obtain an understanding of oral health disease prevention and oral health promotion.Teaching in this topic will draw on the expertise of public health academics and clinical oral health professionals.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Discipline of Population Oral Health |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. demonstrate understanding of how fluorides may be used in a variety of clinical and public health contexts to prevent dental caries. This includes the ability to articulate the limits of clinical prevention
- LO2. create and present a population-level health promotion strategy for preventing dental disease in a given population
- LO3. apply the common risk factor approach to present an interprofessional strategy to improve oral and general health outcomes
- LO4. demonstrate knowledge of social marketing techniques and how these are applicable in the context of oral health
- LO5. critically consider the social determinants of oral health and how these may impact upon preventative efforts against dental diseases
- LO6. demonstrate knowledge of the principles of the commercial determinants of health through exploring the activities of industries that negatively impact oral and general health
- LO7. critique how the dental profession itself may contribute to disparities and deficiencies in oral health.
Unit availability
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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