Program Overview

Introduction to DOH203 Community Oral Health 2

DOH203 Community Oral Health 2 is a university program that builds upon the knowledge introduced in the first year, enabling students to develop a deeper understanding of the determinants of oral health and effective oral health promotion in clinical and regional community settings.

Subject Description

This program requires the implementation of oral health promotion strategies, justification for the processes undertaken, and investigation of the stages of oral health promotion at a deeper level. The emphasis is on reducing oral health inequities in rural and remote settings, with a particular focus on Indigenous oral health. Students will expand their knowledge of key concepts in models of health behavior and learn how to apply these in clinical and community settings, developing the skills to improve individual and community oral health outcomes.

Availability

The program is available in Session 2, with on-campus delivery at Holmesglen and Wagga Wagga Campus.

Subject Information

• Grading System: HD/FL
• Duration: One session
• School: School of Dentistry and Health Sciences
• Enrolment Restrictions: Available only to Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene) students.
• Assumed Knowledge: DOH113

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Apply models of health behavior: protection motivation theory, the health belief model, and the theory of planned behavior
• Develop reflective practice skills when applying behavior change models in patient clinics
• Assess where psychological methods of behavior change are relevant and apply a suitable approach when dealing with an oral health patient
• Define key concepts of public oral health policy development and implementation
• Apply key concepts in Indigenous perspectives of health and demonstrate application of these in promoting oral health and improving inequalities in health outcomes
• Demonstrate professional behavior and attitudes at all times in all learning environments
• Describe the significance of evaluating health and how to measure health outcomes, with the ability to redefine the promotion of health

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Application of strategies of oral health promotion evaluation from up-to-date literature
• Continued development of sociological determinants of oral health
• Barriers to appropriate oral health care
• Empowerment and construction of health literacy, normative societal factors in health care
• Psychological concepts in models of behavior change
• Oral health advocacy and professional leadership
• Indigenous concepts in models of behavior change
• Reflective practice in oral health therapy practice

Workplace Learning

The program contains a 10-day compulsory Workplace Learning component, requiring students to effectively engage as a group, with some work implemented in a community setting, such as an oral health promotion intervention.

Special Resources

Students may be required to travel for their community engagement.