Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title DA 1230: Preventive Dentistry

Catalog Description

Credits 2
Hours/Week 2
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) None
Other requirements DA Program Admission is required
MnTC Goals (if any) NA

Course Description

This course focuses on disease prevention. Specific emphasis is on the nature of healthy oral tissues, dental decay and periodontal disease, plaque removal techniques, gum stimulation techniques, nutrition, nutritional counseling, and patient dental education presentations. (DA Program Admission is required).

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

May, 2025

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Healthy Oral Tissues
  2. Soft Deposits and Stains
  3. Calculus
  4. Periodontal Disease
  5. Decay
  6. Toothbrushing/Flossing
  7. Dentifrices/Fluorides/Mouthrinses
  8. Pit and Fissure Sealants
  9. Effects of Improper Toothbrushing
  10. Auxiliary Oral Hygiene Aids
  11. Nutrition/Dental Diet Assessment
  12. Personal Oral Hygiene Instruction

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Define preventive dentistry terms.
  2. Identify healthy oral tissues.
  3. Describe characteristics/formation of acquired pellicle, plaque and materia alba
  4. Describe soft deposit prevention/removal techniques.
  5. Describe disclosing agents/purpose/types/application.
  6. Describe plaque index calculation.
  7. Describe calculus characteristics/formation/effects/removal.
  8. Describe periodontal disease and treatment.
  9. Differentiate tooth decay, progression, classifications, and treatment.
  10. Describe toothbrushing/flossing techniques.
  11. Describe systemic and topical forms of fluoride and their effects.
  12. Describe the use of fluoride supplements, mouth rinses and varnishes.
  13. Identify therapies for home use in caries prevention.
  14. Describe ADA dental dentifrices/toothpastes/mouthwashes/mouthrinses.
  15. Describe pit and fissure sealants.
  16. Differentiate and identify extrinsic/intrinsic/exogenous/endogenous tooth stains.
  17. Define nutrition terms and identify essential nutrients.
  18. Describe preventative dental diets.
  19. Describe and evaluate a food intake diary.
  20. Develop diet prescriptions.
  21. Identify oral care motivation principles.
  22. Develop and deliver personal oral hygiene instructions.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

NA

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Communication
Students will communicate appropriately for their respective audiences.

Special Information (if any)

None