Lesson One-Preventive Oral Hygiene Basics

                                                      OVERVIEW 

Preventive Oral Hygiene(POH)begins with nutrition and home maintenance of your oral cavity. A role of the dental assistant is to instruct patients on POH to reinforce proper home maintenance of their oral cavity. This will support the patient's dental health and investment.

In this lesson you will be introduced to fundamental dental terminology as it relates to patient POH instructions.

                                                     ASSIGNMENT 
                                                                                                                                        

View the 12 minute video:

Oral Hygiene: The Systemic Link to Overall Whole Body Health https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0iEzUBL6OI

View the following links to define the following terms:

-plaque http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/plaque-and-tartar/article/plaque-what-is-it-and-how-do-we-get-rid-of-it

-tartar http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/plaque-and-tartar/article/what-is-tartar

-periodontal disease http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/gum-disease/article/sw-281474979297996

                                                      DISCUSS

Post how you effectively maintain your own oral hygiene and respond to at least three other posts

                                                        DO 

Prepare a scenario from you childhood experiences on POH such as what you were taught, demonstrated, dental office experiences.

                                                      CONTENT

Learning how to maintain oral health begins in childhood. Children's Dental Health Month is celebrated annually. The dental office will participate in educating children in the month of February at scheduled community events or schools. It is the responsibility of the dental health team to provide dental health guidance. A key role for the dental assistant is to maintain their own oral health so he/she can share their knowledge with others. The dental patient will look up to the dental team for guidance on POH. The dental assistant along with the team, will provide POH to their patients for maintaining their dental investment and health. Part of your learning will depend on your ability to maintain personal healthy habits. Your goal is to be a positive role model for others and then feel confident to instruct your patients on proper POH techniques.

In lessons two & three, you will learn the techniques and supplies necessary for maintaining and instructing your patients on POH.