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PHS312

Oral Health Care

This course provides an understanding of the basics of oral health and equips students with the knowledge to care for individuals with oral conditions. It covers the anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity, development of teeth, classification and epidemiology of oral diseases, and the impact of cultural beliefs on oral health. The course also explores oral hygiene practices, the relationship between oral health and HIV, and oral health care for special groups. Furthermore, it outlines community mobilization strategies for oral health promotion and education.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
40 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PHS312 · UNIT 2 THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE MOUTH II

It a muscular tissue, flexible used for eating/chewing, swallowing and talking/making speech and other sounds. The tongue also contains taste buds responsible for the sense of taste.

What you should be able to do

  1. Discuss the anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity
  2. Explain the development of teeth and associated disorders
  3. State the classification of common oral diseases
  4. Explain the relationship between oral health and HIV
  5. Outline processes for community mobilization for oral health promotion
  6. Design an appropriate oral health program
  7. Explain how oral health surveys are carried out

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Community Health Worker
  • Public Health Officer
  • Health Educator
  • Dental Therapist
Where it is applied
  • Public Health
  • Community Health Services
  • Dental Clinics
  • Non-Governmental Organizations

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Introduction to Oral Cavity and Dental Diseases

    Unit 4: Classification and Epidemiology of Common Oral Diseases

    Understanding the complex classifications of oral diseases requires memorization and differentiation of various conditions.

  • Module 2: Epidemiology and Control of Oral Diseases

    Unit 1: Epidemiology of Dental Caries

    Requires understanding of statistical concepts and epidemiological principles to interpret disease patterns.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 29 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Oral Cavity and Dental Diseases
    • Unit 1: The Anatomy and Physiology of the Mouth I · 1.5 hours

      Read about the mouth and contents of the oral cavity.. Study the anatomy of the tongue.. Understand the functions of the major parts of the oral cavity..

    • Unit 2: The Anatomy and Physiology of the Mouth II · 1.5 hours

      Describe the structure of the human teeth.. List the types of teeth and their functions.. Explain the arrangement of the teeth in the mouth..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Oral Cavity and Dental Diseases
    • Unit 3: Development of the Teeth and the Associated Disorders · 2 hours

      Describe the normal process of tooth formation and eruption.. Distinguish between primary and secondary dentition.. State the common disorders of the development of the tooth..

    • Unit 4: Classification and Epidemiology of Common Oral Diseases · 2 hours

      State the various ways through which the different tissues of the mouth are affected by diseases.. Describe the different categories of diseases or conditions.. Identify the oral diseases that are of public health importance..

  3. Week 3Module 2: Epidemiology and Control of Oral Diseases
    • Unit 1: Epidemiology of Dental Caries · 2 hours

      Explain what dental caries is, its cause, and presentation.. Describe the distribution of dental caries in person, place, and time.. Discuss the preventive measures against dental caries..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Epidemiology and Control of Oral Diseases
    • Unit 2: Epidemiology of Periodontal Disease · 2 hours

      Define periodontal disease.. Explain how periodontal disease develops and presents.. State the factors affecting the development of the disease..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Epidemiology and Control of Oral Diseases
    • Unit 3: Non-Communicable Diseases of the Mouth and Oral Cavity · 2 hours

      Explain what is meant by non-communicable oral diseases.. Describe the epidemiology and control of dental trauma.. Describe the epidemiology and control of oral cancers..

  6. Week 6Module 3: Oral Hygiene and Oral Health in Special Groups
    • Unit 1: Cultural Beliefs and Practices Affecting Oral Health · 2 hours

      List and explain the various cultural practices affecting oral health.. Identify the positive and negative aspects of culture on oral health..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Oral Hygiene and Oral Health in Special Groups
    • Unit 2: Oral Hygiene · 2 hours

      Explain what constitutes good oral hygiene.. Describe the procedure of good oral hygiene.. Describe the causes and control of halitosis..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Oral Hygiene and Oral Health in Special Groups
    • Unit 3: Dental Plaque · 2 hours

      Define dental plaque.. Explain what constitutes dental plaque and how it is formed.. Describe how to recognize dental plaque.. Outline the steps in removing dental plaque..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Oral Hygiene and Oral Health in Special Groups
    • Unit 4: HIV/Aids and Oral Health · 2 hours

      Explain the magnitude of the HIV problem.. Describe how HIV is transmitted through the oral cavity.. List the oral symptoms of HIV/AIDS and how to combat it..

  10. Week 10Module 3: Oral Hygiene and Oral Health in Special Groups
    • Unit 5: Oral Health Care for the Elderly and other Special Groups · 2 hours

      Identify the need for proper oral care in the elderly patient.. Explain how cognitive impairment may lead to oral hygiene problems.. Outline the steps to improve oral health among the elderly..

  11. Week 11Module 4: Mobilizing the Community for Oral Health Programme
    • Unit 1: Oral Health Promotion and Health Education · 2 hours

      Define oral health promotion.. State the prevention strategies in the control of oral diseases.. Discuss the various challenges encountered in oral health promotion..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Mobilizing the Community for Oral Health Programme
    • Unit 2: Community Oral Health Programmes and Policy · 2 hours

      State what oral health programmes are.. Describe the planning process of oral health programme..

  13. Week 13Module 4: Mobilizing the Community for Oral Health Programme
    • Unit 3: Oral Health Survey and Research · 2 hours

      State what oral health surveys are and their uses.. Explain the methods expended in oral health surveys..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review the anatomy and physiology of the mouth, focusing on key structures and their functions (Units 1 and 2 of Module 1).
  • Create flashcards for the classification of oral diseases, including their causes and symptoms (Unit 4 of Module 1).
  • Practice applying epidemiological concepts to dental caries and periodontal disease (Units 1 and 2 of Module 2).
  • Summarize the key cultural beliefs and practices affecting oral health, noting both positive and negative impacts (Unit 1 of Module 3).
  • Outline the steps for planning, implementing, and evaluating community oral health programs (Unit 2 of Module 4).
  • Familiarize yourself with the different methods used in oral health surveys (Unit 3 of Module 4).
  • Focus on understanding the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention for oral diseases (Unit 4 of Module 1).

Questions students ask about this course

What is PHS312 about?

This course provides an understanding of the basics of oral health and equips students with the knowledge to care for individuals with oral conditions. It covers the anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity, development of teeth, classification and epidemiology of oral diseases, and the impact of cultural beliefs on oral health. The course also explores oral hygiene practices, the relationship between oral health and HIV, and oral health care for special groups. Furthermore, it outlines community mobilization strategies for oral health promotion and education.

How many units does PHS312 have?

PHS312, Oral Health Care, has 14 units across 4 modules, over 76 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PHS312?

PHS312 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Health Sciences.

Is PHS312 hard?

PHS312 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.

How long does PHS312 take to study?

About 40 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.

How is PHS312 assessed?

PHS312 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with PHS312?

Community Health Worker, Public Health Officer, Health Educator and Dental Therapist.

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