This course is designed to emphasize the role of the dental hygienist in health promotion, as educator and resource person. The knowledge and experiences will assist the dental hygiene student in developing and enhancing interpersonal communication skills necessary to interact effectively with patients from diverse populations and communities. An introduction to cultural diversity and competency as it relates to patient management is presented. A participatory segment of this course explores the various methods used in health promotion and disease prevention programs (e.g., educational strategies, group and individual processes, community approaches.) These education methods are tailored for diverse settings and populations. Topics include community efforts in tobacco cessation counseling programs, nutritional counseling programs and pit and fissure sealant placement programs. In addition, students will develop educational aids for individualized oral hygiene instructions.
Prerequisites
None