10-508-110Nutrition and Dental Health
Course Information
Description
Prepares student dental hygienists to counsel patients about diet and its impact on oral health. Students learn to distinguish between balanced and unbalanced diets and to construct diets that meet the needs of patients with compromised dental/oral health. Students also learn to counsel patients about the effect of eating disorders on dental health.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Distinguish between balanced and unbalanced diets
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apply dietary guidelines
    compare given diet to American Dietetic Association guidelines
    draw logical conclusions from the comparison
    comparison is neat and presentable
    comparison is concise and accurate

  2. Illustrate how carbohydrate intake impacts oral and systemic health
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    explain digestion, absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates
    identify the role of carbohydrate in a healthy diet
    identify health problems related to insufficient or excessive carbohydrate intake
    analyze food labels for carbohydrate content and hidden sugars
    describe characteristics of cariogenic and non-cariogenic foods
    predict cariogenic potential by form and frequency of ingestion of fermentable carbohydrates
    indicate the need for counseling based on cariogenic potential of diet

  3. Illustrate how protein intake impacts oral and systemic health
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    explain digestion, absorption and metabolism of protein
    identify the role of protein in a healthy diet
    analyze food labels for protein content

  4. Describe how lipids impact oral and systemic health
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    describe lipids and the relationship to a healthy diet
    explain digestion, absorption and metabolism of lipids

  5. Infer how vitamin intake affects a patient's health
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    identify the Reference Daily Intake (RDI's) and sources of specific vitamins
    detail the functions of specific vitamins
    include health risks related to deficiencies of specific vitamins
    identify potential of toxic effects of excessive vitamin intake

  6. Infer how mineral intake affects a patient's health and fluid balance
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    identify the Reference Daily Intake (RDI's) and sources of specific minerals
    detail the functions of specific minerals
    list health risks related to deficiencies of specific minerals
    identify potential of toxic effects of excessive mineral intake

  7. Construct a diet to meet the needs of patients with compromised dental /oral conditions
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    describe the oral or systemic condition of the patient
    outline the varied additional needs of the patient
    include the required nutrients needed within 10% of RDI

  8. Describe nutritional needs at different stages in the life cycle
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    describe specific nutritional needs in a given life stage
    identify physiologic, psychological or sociological barriers to good nutrition
    identify required nutrients needed within 10% of RDI

  9. Correlate eating disorders with the effects on dental health
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    describe the eating disorder
    suggest nutritional counseling for oral or systemic damage
    determine the plan for referral