Principles of Dental Medicine and Dental Materials 1

The course aims to enable the student to acquire knowledge of the fundamentals of dentistry. In particular, dental hygiene, oral diagnosis principles, dental materials and preventive and community dentistry are introduced.
The dental hygiene module aims to impart to the student the knowledge regarding the tools and techniques to carry out and maintain proper oral hygiene at home, as well as to acquire the skills to transmit these notions to the patient, motivating her/him in order to maintain over time a good level of oral hygiene.
The Oral Diagnosis Principles module provides knowledges about the main pathological conditions of the oral cavity, with reference to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The student will learn about the main oral pathologies and the methodology for their diagnosis.
The module of Community Dentistry aims to provide knowledge on the change that the epidemiology of oral diseases has undergone over the years and the actual health needs of the populations. The student will also have to acquire knowledge on the prevention of major oral diseases at community level.
The Dental Materials module aims to deepen the knowledge of the main dental instruments (dental unit, hand tools) and acquire critical skills in evaluating the different products on the market. The module also aims to address the different materials and instruments used in the main disciplines of dentistry (restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthesis, oral surgery).
The course also includes two trainings in Community Dentistry and Dental Materials useful in order to consolidate what has been learned in the lectures.

At the end of the course the student must:
- know the scientific basis of dental hygiene
- know the risk factors of periodontal disease and caries
- know the epidemiology of caries and periodontal diseases
- know and distinguish the main alterations of the oral mucosa
- know the main correlations between systemic diseases and oral diseases
- know the basic dental use equipment
- be competent in collecting data related to oral health
- be competent in education and motivation regarding oral hygiene and correct lifestyles
- be competent in the equipment commonly used in the dental environment