Public Health Dentistry

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Public Health Dentistry

In this institution, the department is accorded an independent status with all well equipped dental units to provide basic services in various specialties. The Dept. of Public Health Dentistry serves as a Dental Health Education centre as well as a fully functional clinic, not only in this campus but also in this part of Andhra Pradesh through rural dental health services.

ACADEMICS

The Department of Public Health Dentistry has the responsibility of orienting the students to the profession of dentistry, its development, philosophies and activities related to community oral health promotion. The department staff actively educate and motivate the students to develop the concept of ethical behaviour and laws that govern the profession. Major core concentration will be to stimulate and inculcate an interest in participating in the community health activities.

CORE SUBJECTS
  • Introduction to dentistry: To the newly admitted I year students to familiarize the students to the working of the various branches of dentistry in the college and hospital. (Demonstration)
  • Biostatistics: Introduction, Application in Dentistry – Measures of Central Tendency, Mean and Standard Deviation, Normal Curve, Presentation of data., Sampling techniques. Tests of Significance, Confidence limits. (6 Hours)
  • Public Health: Definition, concepts and Philosophy of Public health. History of Public Health in India, Health Care Delivery in India, Primary Health Care, National Health Policy, National Health Programs, (3 Hours)
  • Public Health - aspects of Water-Purification, Norms of Potability.
  • Sanitation – Disposal of Waste – Hospital and Dental Clinic
  • Administrative set up at the State and Central Government.
  • General Epidemiology -Introduction, Definition, Aims and Objectives, Principles, different Studies, epidemiological triad. Steps in Epidemiological investigation. Uses of Epidemiology. (3 Hours)
  • Health Education – Definition, Aims and Objectives, Principles, Methods, Barriers and Mass media used. (2 Hours)
  • Public Health Dentistry: Introduction, Definition, History, Aims and Objectives, differences between Clinical dentistry and Public Health Dentistry, Procedural Steps in Dental Public Health, functions of the public health dentist. (2 Hours)
  • Surveying – Need, Aims of a Survey, Planning, Analysis of Survey Data, Units of measurement (indices). Indices Used in Surveys, Oral health Surveys – Basic Methods (WHO), WHO data bank on oral diseases. (3 Hours)
  • Dental Person Power: Planning, Types, Needs and Development of Dental Personnel, Dentist Population Ratio, Dental Auxiliary, Utilization. (2 Hours)
  • Oral Health Care Delivery Systems: in India and other countries, (1 Hour)
  • National Oral Health Policy: Need, Importance and Content. (1 Hour)
  • Payment for Dental Care School Oral Health Program: Aims and Objectives, Planning and Development of Resources, Concept of Incremental Dental Care, School Dental Health Education, School based Preventive Program. (2 Hours)
  • Preventive Dentistry: Definition, Levels of Prevention, Concept of Prevention at Individual and Community Level, Specific measure against Oral diseases – Community Water Fluoridation, Milk and Salt Fluoridation, Topical application, fissure Sealants and Vaccines etc. Preventive of periodontal diseases. Oral Cancer, HIV and Hepatitis (5 Hours)
  • Cost Benefit Analysis – of various preventive measures and evaluation.
  • Social Sciences: Definition of Community, Structure, and Importance of Social Sciences related to Oral Health, Urban and Rural Communities, Taboos related to Oral Health, Role of Social Scientist in designing Dental public health programs (prevention and control of diseases – health education). (3 Hours)
  • Community socio-economic aspects: as related to Oral Health, Culture, Social Stratification, Intersectoral Co-ordination in improving health and Oral health.
  • Dental practice management: Areas for consideration – planning, finance, setting up of fees, quality care, records, Legal implications. Consumer related aspects. (4 Hours)
PRACTICALS/CLINICALS/FIELD PROGRAMME: 150 HOURS

These exercises are designed to help the student in III and IV year – PART I

  • Understand the community aspects of dentistry
  • To take up leadership role in solving community oral health problems.
EXERCISES
  • Collection of statistical data (demographic) on population in India, birth rates, morbidity and mortality, literacy, per capita income etc.
  • Incidence and prevalence of common oral diseases like dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancer, fluorosis at national and international levels.
  • Preparation of oral health education material – posters, models, .slides, lectures, play acting skills etc.
  • Oral health status assessment of the community using indices and WHO basic oral health survey methods.
  • Exploring and planning setting up of private dental clinics in rural, semi urban and urban locations, availment of finances for dental practice – preparing project reports.
  • Visit to primary health centre to acquaint with activities of primary health care delivery – prepare a report.
  • Visit a water purification plant / public health laboratory / centre for treatment of wastes and sewage water – prepare a report.
  • Visit to schools – to assess oral health status of school children, emergency treatment and health education including possible preventive care at school (tooth brushing technique demonstration and oral rinse program etc.)
  • Visit to institution for the care of handicapped physically, mentally, or medically compromised patients.
  • Preventive dentistry : in the department – application of pit and fissure sealants, fluoride gel application procedures A.R.T. at least 2 patients
  • The colleges are encouraged to involve in the N.S.S. programmes for college students for carrying our social work in rural areas.
  • Maintain a Record Book – duly signed as to progress of the student by the Head of the Department
SUGGESTED INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME IN COMMUNITY DENTISTRY

I. At the College:

Students are posted to the department to get training in dental practice management

  • Total oral health care approach – (in order to prepare the new graduates in their approach to diagnosis, treatment planning, cost of treatment, provision of treatment on schedule, recall – maintenance of records, etc.) At least 10 patients (both children and adults of all types) Posting for at least 1 month.
  • The practice of chair side preventive dentistry including oral health education.

II. At the Community Oral Health Care Centre

(Adopted by Dental College in Rural Areas) Graduates posted at least 1 month to familiarize in:

  • Survey methods, analysis and presentation of oral health assessment of School children and community independently using WHO basic oral health survey methods.
  • Participation in rural oral health education programme.
  • Stay in the village to understand the problems and life in rural areas.

lll DESIRABLE:

Learning the use of computers – at least basic programmes.