Ateneo - UPO

Preventive and community dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on epidemiological investigations and primary prevention of oral diseases with the greatest social impact through the reduction of risk factors. Starting from basic epidemiological concepts, the course aims to provide students with an understanding of the concepts of oral health equals systemic health and the concept of prevention being better than cure. Upon completion of the course, students should understand the risk factors responsible for oral health diseases and acquire the skills and ability to collect and process data from patient studies to educate and motivate patients regarding preventive and prophylactic methods or appropriate treatment options. Students should also develop independent judgment and communication skills.

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Cortesi Ardizzone V, Abbinante A (ed). Igienista Dentale: Teoria E Pratica Professionale. Prima edizione. Milano. LSWR srl. 2013
Farronato G. Odontostomatologia per l’igienista dentale. Ed. Piccin, Padova. 2007.
Wilkins E.M. (Ed.). La Pratica Clinica dell’igienista Dentale. XII Edition. Padova. Piccin Nuova Libraria S.P.A., 2020.
Ministero della Salute. Linee Guida Naz. per la promozione della salute e la prevenzione delle patologie orali in età evolutiva. 2008/ 2013. Ministero della Salute. Linee Guida Naz. per la promozione della salute e la prevenzione delle patologie orali in età adulta. Dicembre 2009 / novembre 2013/ dicembre 2015.
Ministero della Salute. Quaderni del Ministero della Salute. Odontoiatria di comunità: criteri di appropriatezza clinica, tecnologica, strumentale. 2011.
Ministero della Salute. Linee Guida Naz. per la prevenzione e la gestione clinica dei traumi negli individui in età evolutiva. 2012.
Ministero della Salute. Raccomandazioni per la promozione della salute orale, la prevenzione delle patologie orali e la terapia odontostomatologica nei pazienti adulti con malattia neoplastica. Gennaio 2014.
Ministero della Salute. Raccomandazioni per la promozione della salute orale in età perinatale. 2014.
Ministero della salute. Indicazioni per la promozione della salute orale nelle scuole secondarie. dicembre 2014.
Ministero della Salute. Linee Guida Naz. per la promozione della salute orale e la prevenzione delle patologie orali negli individui in età evolutiva che devono essere sottoposti a terapia chemio e/o radio. Settembre 2018.
Ministero della Salute. Raccomandazioni cliniche in odontostomatologia. Gennaio 2014/ settembre 2017.

Students will understand the concepts of oral health equals systemic health and prevention is better than cure.
By the end of the course, students should possess knowledge of epidemiology, the main methods for collecting and recording dental and periodontal data, the risk factors for the main oral and dental diseases, and the prevention methods available to combat them.
By the end of the course, students should possess the skills and abilities to record and process data obtained from anamnesis and oral examination; conduct epidemiological investigations; inform/educate/motivate patients about the prevention of oral and dental diseases; and conduct searches in major databases.

the student, in order to be able to successfully access the course, must have acquired the knowledge derived from the C.I. Physics, Statistics and Informatics, C.I. Basic Biomedical Sciences, C.I. Disease etiopathogenesis, and must know English language in order to read and understand a scientific article.

The course makes use of theoretical lectures. Some topics will be explored during the hours of supplementary teaching and could be the subject of single-issue papers focused on the planning of prevention interventions in certain categories of patients.

Some topics will be explored in depth during supplementary teaching hours and may be the subject of single-topic essays focusing on the design of prevention interventions for certain patient categories.

Learning will be assessed through a written exam consisting of two open-ended questions. Written assignments are graded and discussed with each student, if requested.

Oral health in society. Epidemiological data on the main oral and dental diseases.
The concept of oral health and systemic health. The concept of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
Oral health promotion: health education and prevention.
The state of oral health in Italy. Dental care in Italy
Evidence Based Medicine EBM. Levels of evidence evidences and recommendations.
Dental epidemiology. Definition of epidemiology. Concept of causation. Measurement of disease frequency. Types of epidemiological studies.
Prevalence and incidence of diseases. Case definition. Identification of etiological factors and risk factors for diseases.
Frequency measures. Definitions of causation. Risk factor.
Types of epidemiological studies
Epidemiological indices of caries (DMF/dmf, ICDAS and ICDAS-II, etc.) and periodontal disease (plaque, inflammation, periodontal disease).
Caries: Epidemiology, etiology, and prevention of caries by controlling the main risk factors (oral hygiene: oral hygiene tools and methods; diet; fluoride prophylaxis; education and motivation for home oral hygiene).
Periodontal disease: Epidemiology, etiology, and prevention by controlling the main local risk factors (oral hygiene: oral hygiene tools and methods; fluoride prophylaxis; education and motivation for home oral hygiene), environmental behavioral factors (smoking, bad habits), and systemic factors (hyperglycemia).
Oral cancers: Epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, and prevention by controlling the main risk factors (smoking, alcohol).
Edentulism: Epidemiology, and prevention by controlling the main risk factors.
Malocclusions: Epidemiology and prevention by controlling the main risk factors.
Dental trauma: epidemiology and prevention through the containment of the main risk factors.

At the end of the course the student must have acquired the theoretical knowledge that allows him to have the competence and ability to collect data from the oral cavity, process them independently to implement specific preventive and therapeutic intervention strategies for his professional role. Furthermore, he must acquire the curiosity to access databases in order to find indispensable information for his cultural growth and his constant professional updating.