Learning objectives
Students will know and understand epidemiological methods for assessing health phenomena and health needs; they will be able to apply epidemiological skills in reading and interpreting scientific articles; Students should acquire knowledge about primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary prevention and their practical applications; they also should understand aspects related to epidemiology and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases and acquire notions of environmental hygiene and human nutrition; they will acquire autonomy of judgment and learning related to the topics covered and specific communication skills.
Prerequisites
None.
Course unit content
The course deals with aspects related to: aim of epidemiology as fundamental tools for identifying public health problems, identifying risk and protective factors, planning and evaluating public health interventions; general concepts of hygiene and health; fundamental concepts of epidemiology and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases; measures and strategies of prevention; the levels of preventive intervention; chemoprophylaxis and immunoprophylaxis; epidemiology and prevention of specific diseases, with particular reference to pathologies of dental interest; food hygiene and nutrition; environmental hygiene with particular reference to the quality of water for human use and to air quality.
Full programme
Definition and aims of Hygiene and Preventive Dentistry.
Disease prevention and Health promotion. Promotion of oral health.
Definition, scope and use of epidemiology.
Descriptive epidemiological measures (morbidity and mortality).
Epidemiological measures of risk (relative risk, attributable risk, odds ratio).
Case report, current statistical analysis, ecological studies, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, cohort studies, experimental studies.
Criteria to the causal association.
Epidemiological study design.
The sources of the epidemiological data.
Standardized measures.
Bias in epidemiology.
The management of an epidemic.
The pyramid of scientific evidence.
General epidemiology of infectious disease.
Infection sources and reservoirs. Transmission mode. Factors favoring the appearance of infections. Modes of appearance of infections in the population.
Discovery and inactivation of infection sources, interruption of transmission chains; increase of resistance to infections.
Purposes and the methods of the prevention.
Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary prevention.
Notification, default measures, diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Sterilization, disinfection and disinfestation.
Active and passive immunoprophylaxis.
Chemoprophylaxis.
The hygienic management of the dental environment. Disposal of waste in the dental environment.
General principles of prevention of not infectious disease.
Epidemiology and prevention of the main pathologies of dental interest.
Notes on epidemiology and prevention of periodontal disease.Epidemiology and prevention of dental caries.
Epidemiology and prophylaxis of viral hepatitis, HIV infections, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, respiratory virosis, herpetic infections: possible repercussions on the dental profession.
Care-related infections.
Health and environment: air and water quality.
Air and water pollution.
Potabilization of water. Sewage treatment.
The water of the dental unit.
Food hygiene and Nutrition.
Bibliography
Maria Teresa Montagna, Paolo Castiglia, Guglielmo Campus, Carlo Signorelli. Igiene in Odontoiatria. Monduzzi Editoriale, 2024.
M. Pontello, S. Auxilia et al. Igiene, Medicina Preventiva e salute globale. Padova: Piccin, 2021.
S. Barbuti et al. Igiene. Bologna: Monduzzi, 2014.
C. Signorelli et al. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica. Secrets, domande & risposte 2021. Roma: Società Editrice Universo.
Didactic materials available on the specific platform (ELLY).
Teaching methods
Lectures will be supported by slide presentations, which will be available on the Elly platform.
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly).
Assessment methods and criteria
The course includes an oral exam in order to assess the knowledge and skills acquired by the students during the course; moreover, critical analysis and communication skills acquired will be evaluated.
Students with learning disabilities (DSA/BSE) must contact the University's Center for Accommodation and Inclusion.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
This teaching contributes to realising the UN objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
