Lesson One-Preventive Oral Hygiene Basics
How Do You Maintain A Healthy Smile?
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
- relate dental experiences to common dental phobias
Upon completion of lesson one you will:
- be able to discuss the importance of POH
- assess common dental phobias
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
- tartar or calculus
http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/plaque-and-tartar/article/what-is-tartar
- gum disease or periodontal disease
http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/gum-disease/article/sw-281474979297996
DISCUSS
Post in the above discussion tab, your self reflection from your childhood experiences on POH such as what you were taught, demonstrated, dental office experiences.
DO
1) View 12 minute video "Oral Hygiene: The Systemic Link to Overall Whole Body Health"
2) Read the links provided for understanding the basic dental terminology on POH
3) Share your childhood dental experiences in the class discussion lesson one posting area
4) Prepare a one page essay about how you effectively maintain your own oral hygiene
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.
Formative Assessment
Multiple choice quiz on basic dental terminology will be sent to you by email. Please submit the completed quiz as a reply to my email before Lesson Two for grading. Do not share your work with peers. This is not a group assignment.
