DH 170 - Dental Nutrition

Credit Hours: 2

Students will gain knowledge of the basic principles of nutrition and its relationship to overall health. Fundamentals in biochemistry, physiological roles, dietary requirements, and sources of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals are examined including systemic effects of nutritional deficiencies and excesses of these nutrients. The impact of nutrition throughout the lifespan, cultural perspectives, and effects on oral health is emphasized. Students will evaluate their diets utilizing food guidance systems. Students will apply foundational knowledge in nutrition principles to assess the overall adequacy of a patient’s diet and implement nutritional counseling and interventions in oral health care settings. The minimum passing grade is “C-“.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

explain the impact of optimal nutrition on oral and overall health: describe the role and scope of the dental hygienist in practice and discuss the significance of collaborative healthcare inpatient treatment;
describe the different food grouping systems and discuss recommendations for obtaining nutritional goals;
recognize the classes of nutrients: describe general functions, physiological roles, dietary sources, and dental considerations;
apply the role of nutrition in the synthesis and maintenance of oral tissues and discuss clinical applications;
distinguish the disorders that may be related to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and excesses, with emphasis on dental considerations;
analyze and evaluate nutritional considerations and dietary applications appropriate for various age groups, populations, and cultures throughout the lifecycle; and
apply foundational knowledge to provide nutritional assessment, dietary evaluation, nutritional counseling, and referrals for nutrition-related dental diseases.

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

Withdrawal from or failure of a required course prevents further progression in the curriculum. General education courses may be taken earlier than indicated but may not be taken later than the prescribed schedule.