This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module will be delivered over two separate weekends. The module will address current and contemporary practice within the wider context of social policy and cultural influence. Participants will critically examine the background and contemporary position of health, and explore issues linked to the effects of current socio-political environments and structures, agendas and policy in dentistry.
Students will critically examine the role and contribution of the dental professionals, with regards to the delivery of dental services, as well as part of an integrated response to broader health related issues. Students will critically examine the oral health of the population through oral health education and collaborative links with other healthcare providers and the Government's Health Care strategy.
Total contact hours: 35
Private study hours: 215
Total study hours: 150
This module is available during Spring or Summer terms
This module is part of the Master's level programme
Written Assignment, 3000 words, 70%
Oral Presentation, 15 minutes, 30%
Bedi, R. Patel, M. & Patel, N. (2007) Dental Public Health. A Primer. Oxford. Radcliffe
Behavioural Sciences for Dentistry Gerry Humphris (Churchill Livingstone) 2000 ISBN 0 443 05190 9 Chapter 5.
BDJ 2001; 121-126
Glasby, J. (2007) Understanding Health and Social Care. London. Policy Press.
Kent, G. Croucher, R. (2001) Achieving Oral Health: The Social Context of Dental Care. Oxford. Wright.
Marmot Review – Fair Society and Health Lives http://www.marmotreview.org/
NHS Dentistry Options for Change August 2002 DoH Gateway 28742
The Social Context of Dentistry Peter Davis (Croom Helm London) 1980 ISBN 0-7099-0512-6 Chapters 4 and pages 331-332.
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the incorporation of health into historical and contemporary political and sociological agendas.
2. Understand the significance of inequalities effecting health and wellbeing in terms of sociological, economic, cultural, environmental and behavioural factors.
3. Understand the social factors affecting aspects of general and dental health at different life stages.
4. Understand and locate dental health and the dental workforce within political healthcare structures, agenda, policy and leadership.
5. Evaluate the scope and potential of dental care professional roles related to the future delivery of dental services.
PG Cert/PG Diploma, MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare
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