Cariology and Prevention BDNT 5173

Course description:

This course deals with dental caries, dental wear, and dental mineralization disorders, as well as prevention, operative procedures, and the consequences of these processes. With an emphasis on caries risk and management of patients. In this course students will gain the necessary basic knowledge and skills regarding the philosophy and modalities of prevention including concepts on the etiology, microbiology, diagnosis and prevention of caries in the human dentition. 

Course Aims:

The course aims to provide the students with the scientific background to understand the causes and therapies of dental caries and to examine and evaluate current, major issues in preventive dentistry. 

Course outcomes:

By the end of this course, the students should be able to:
  • Provide individualized patient oral hygiene education focused on reducing risk for oral cancers, caries, periodontal diseases and other systemic conditions.
  • Understand the diversity of factors associated with the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease and the potential for their control.
  • Appreciate the concept and practice of ongoing total patient care in the prevention, identification, assessment and treatment of oral diseases.
  • Know  processes related to caries, dental erosion (acid damage), tooth wear, mineralization disorders and discoloration of tooth substance, and how these present clinically.
  • Diagnose, prevent and follow up caries, dental erosion (acid damage), tooth wear, mineralization disorders and discoloration of tooth substance in line with the patient’s wishes, needs and the prevailing clinical conditions.
  • Identify the risk category and the dental needs of a patient and perform those professional preventive procedures identified following proper clinical assessment.
  • Develop an understanding of how diet and nutrition may affect dental and periodontal diseases.
  • Perform scaling, root planning and polishing which removes plaque, stain and calculus with minimal trauma.