Learning objectives
AIM: to acquire knowledge and practical skills to assess, making judgements and manage oral hygiene.
By the end of the course the student should be able to:
- have knowledge and understanding on the scientific basis of dental hygiene
- have knowledge on periodontal diseases and be able to distinguish between periodontitis and gingivitis
- have knowledge on the epidemiology of periodontal diseases
- have knowledge on the main systemic consequences of an inadequate level of oral hygiene
- record and interpret periodontal clinical data
- have knowledge on the risk factors for periodontal disease
- assess the level of oral hygiene, provide instructions and motivate the patient
- develop communication skills to educate patients to healthy lifestyle (prevention)
- have knowledge on the characteristics and use of instruments for periodontal diagnosis and for oral hygiene
- have knowledge on the diagnosis and management of halitosis
- have knowledge on the diagnosis and management of dentinal hypersensitivity
Prerequisites
N/A
Course unit content
The course offers a critical appraisal of the scientific basis and operative procedures aimed at oral hygiene maintenance and plaque control. It also evaluates the main consequences of an inadequate plaque control
Full programme
1. Anatomy and physiology of periodontium
2. Classification of periodontal diseases
3. Epidemiology of periodontal diseases
4. Periodontal chart and periodontal assessment of the patient (collection of medical and dental history, data related to sequelae of periodontal diseases, periodontal chart, clinical photos, plaque and inflammation indices)
5. Communication with the patient, delivery of oral hygiene instructions, plaque control and patient motivation
6. Risk factors for periodontal diseases and how to control the modifiable ones (e.g. smoking cessation programmes)
7. Education to healthy lifestyle
8. Halitosis – diagnosis and treatment
9. Dentinal hypersensitivity – diagnosis and treatment
10. Introduction to periodontal therapy
11. Ergonomics, instruments and materials for periodontal diagnosis and plaque control (professional and home-based)
Bibliography
English edition
Clinical Periodontology and Implant Dentistry - 6th edition
J Lindhe, N.P Lang
2016, Edi-Ermes
ISBN 9788870515282
Italian edition
Testo atlante di parodontologia e terapia implantare. Società Italiana di Parodontologia (SIdP). Quintessenza 2017
Selection of scientific articles
Teaching methods
Live and/or virtual lectures, clinical case discussion, hands-on training, discussion and critical appraisal of relevant scientific literature. In particular, lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations, audio-video aids or video-recording of the lectures.
Assessment methods and criteria
MCQ and open answer quiz, practical skills evaluation, grading of the participation to teaching activities, oral exam to test critical thinking, acquired knowledge and personal elaboration of the topics covered during the course
Other information
N/A
