DENH 2035 - Community Dental HealthLab

Credits: 1
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab 2
Course Description: This course implements the principles of dental public health, including epidemiology, research methods, and evidence-based prevention strategies. It also explores the dental hygienist’s role in promoting oral health, influencing public policy, and improving access to care. Emphasis is placed on designing, implementing, and evaluating community-based oral health programs through interprofessional collaboration and service learning.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): DENH 2010, DENH 2015, DENH 2020, and DENH 2030
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

Core functions of public health
Advocacy & funding for oral health programs 
Evidence-based practice & critical analysis of research
Epidemiology
Interprofessional education
Oral health education & promotion
Oral health program assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation
Community-based prevention programs

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

identify public health career opportunities for dental hygienists, including alternative practice settings and community-based agencies.
describe demographic factors and current trends influencing public health.
apply evidence-based dental disease prevention strategies to promote community oral health.
develop the key components of a dental public health education program.
integrate the principles of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in the design of a public health program.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
None
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
None

Courses and Registration