DH 170 - Dental Nutrition

Credit Hours: 2

Basic principles of nutrition and their relationship to optimal health are studied. Students will evaluate their personal diets by utilization of food guidance systems. The physiological roles, requirements and sources of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals are stressed as well as the systemic and oral effects of deficiencies and excesses of these nutrients. Students will learn the basic principles of the management of dental caries by risk assessment and preventive intervention. Minimum passing grade is “C-.”

Course Outcomes
At the completion of the course the student should be able to:

list reasons why nutrition is important in dentistry;
interpret the different food grouping systems and identify the recommendations for obtaining these goals;
name the classes of nutrients, their general functions and food sources of each nutrient;
explain the role of nutrition in the synthesis and maintenance of oral tissues;
describe the disorders that may be related to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and excess, with emphasis on dental considerations; and
discuss diet education strategies appropriate for various age groups, populations, and cultures throughout the lifecycle.

Prerequisites: All required first-semester courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum must be passed.
Corequisites: All required second-semester courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum.
S (N)