Ethics and Dental Public Health

AAPHD Dental Public Health Curriculum

The four- to six-hour course module is designed to build upon the students' prior understanding of ethics and is targeted at members of the healthcare provider team. Depending on the experience level of the students, the class may be shortened to four hours by removing some class discussions, or by assigning them to homework assignments.

The goal is to introduce the students to the types of ethical issues encountered by oral health professionals. A variety of cases are presented and suggestions for their use in each class session on how to stimulate discussion to engage in ethical reasoning. It should be emphasized that every dental practitioner can serve as a DPH professional and advocate. This course introduces students to how they can serve in these roles.

Dental Public Health Competencies Addressed

Competency 3:

Demonstrate ethical decision-making in the practice of dental public health. 

Competency 5:

Communicate on oral and public health issues. 

Competency 6:

Lead collaborations on oral and public health issues. 

Competency 8:

Critically appraise evidence to address oral health issues for individuals and populations.

 

Course Objectives

On successful completion of this course, students will be prepared to:

  • Understand and apply ethical frameworks to analyze ethical dilemmas in clinical and public health practice settings.
  • Describe the key principles and values that guide oral health professionals.
  • Understand the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in approaching and implementing ethical public health programs and policies.

Accessing the Course

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Course content includes a PowerPoint Presentation, Instructor Guide, and Syllabus.

Ethics and Dental Public Health Course Content