DHYG 329 Oral Health Literacy and Communication
This one credit course will introduce the concept of health literacy, its impact on oral health and its relevance to dental hygiene practice. The importance of inter-personal relationships between the dental hygienist and the patient is emphasized as a critical component to helping patients achieve positive oral health outcomes. Methods to assess patients' oral health literacy level will be presented as well as recommended communication techniques to effectively communicate oral health information to patients and oral health professionals.
Caries disease prevention strategies will be introduced including fluoride in tap water, dentifrices and professionally applied fluorides. Students will have the opportunity to apply these concepts and those presented in their Periodontics and Prevention and Control courses to case history scenarios via group learning activities and assignments. This course will prepare students for their upcoming educator role when providing clinical dental hygiene care and providing oral health education in a community setting.
Offered
Fall.