Dental Public Health module (DS51008)
Develop a comprehensive, critical understanding of the techniques applicable to the practice of dental public health
This module takes a systematic approach to the field of Dental Public Health; you will develop a critical understanding of what drives oral health inequalities and how to address them.
A key focus of the module is promoting the oral health of the population, focusing on action at a community level. You will also explore questionnaire design, collecting and analysing qualitative data and adopting the MRC framework for complex intervention design, before applying these concepts to plan and evaluate an intervention.
Teaching is delivered face to face through lectures, seminars, tutorials and discussion sessions, with guest lecturers providing insight into professional practice. Online resources support self-directed learning throughout.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- The principles, philosophy and strategies underpinning dental public health practice.
- How national oral health care systems and WHO policy documents shape oral health strategy.
- The social, economic and psychological determinants of oral health, and how they drive inequalities.
- How to design a questionnaire, collect qualitative data and apply the MRC framework to plan a health intervention.
- How to plan, implement and evaluate an oral health promotion intervention for a socially excluded group.
- How to synthesise and apply the evidence base to address complex public health issues.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles, philosophy and strategies underpinning dental public health.
- Plan, implement and evaluate an oral health promotion intervention to reduce oral disease in a socially excluded group, showing self-direction and originality.
- Critically understand national health care systems and plan an evidence-based national oral health strategy.
- Critically apply the principles of evidence-based dentistry to synthesise evidence and address complex issues.
- Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills, effective use of ICT, and the ability to work both in groups and independently.
Assignments / assessments
Group project presentation (40%)
- A group presentation providing an opportunity to develop team working and communication skills, and to show self-direction and originality in planning and implementing a dental public health related task.
Summative essay (60%)
- An individual written essay demonstrating critical understanding of dental public health principles and the ability to apply evidence to a specific issue or question.
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials and discussion sessions delivered face to face.
- Guest lecturers from dental public health and NHS settings.
- Online resources and self-directed learning to support assignment preparation.
Courses
This module is available on the following courses: