Community and Public Oral Health

Code:

MIMD020113

Acronym:

SOPC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Dental Medicine

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Gestão Académica
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master in Dental Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMD	49	Official Plan for the Academic Year 2025/2026	2	-	3	45	81

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: A estudantes estrangeiros será facilitado apoio e bibliografia em inglês.

Objectives

This Curriculum Program aims for students to achieve the following objectives by the end of the semester:

1. Understand the historical evolution of public oral health and distinguish between public oral health and clinical dentistry. Define the fundamental concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in the oral health context. Apply models of social determinants of health and the Ottawa health promotion framework in planning oral health interventions. Understand the concept of the "common risk factor approach" and critically analyze different models of oral health service organization.

2. Interpret epidemiological data on the prevalence and incidence of major oral diseases in different populations. Appropriately use the most relevant epidemiological indices (DMFT, DMFS, CPI) and plan epidemiological surveys following standardized methodologies.

3. Calculate and interpret measures of frequency, association, and impact in oral epidemiology. Identify and categorize the proximal, intermediate, and distal determinants of oral health, analyzing the role of behavioral, socioeconomic, environmental, and political factors in the etiology of oral diseases.

4. Identify and quantify oral health inequalities, distinguishing between inequalities and inequities. Apply statistical methods to measure inequalities in oral health and analyze these disparities across the life course and between geographic areas. Characterize the specific oral health needs of vulnerable groups (older adults, people with disabilities, migrant populations, pregnant women, and children).

5. Categorize the barriers to oral healthcare (economic, geographic, cultural, organizational) and assess their impact on access to and use of services. Evaluate alternative models of care delivery and analyze the role of public-private partnerships in improving access.

6. Critically assess the methodological quality of scientific studies in public oral health, identifying and minimizing biases in epidemiological studies. Accurately interpret systematic reviews and meta-analyses, critically use databases and health information systems. Select appropriate indicators to monitor population oral health, interpret time trends and geographic variations, and effectively communicate epidemiological information to different audiences.

7. Understand and apply health promotion principles in the development of oral health interventions, using theoretical models of behavioral change. Develop health communication strategies tailored to different populations and plan multi-level interventions addressing both individual and population-level determinants.

8. Analyze the structure and organization of the oral health system in Portugal, critically assessing implemented programs (National Program for Oral Health Promotion) and their funding. Compare different models of oral health system organization internationally (United Kingdom, Nordic countries, Canada, Brazil, among others), analyzing policies in countries with varying levels of development. Examine the role of oral health in universal health coverage and identify transferable best practices for the Portuguese context. Critically analyze the process of developing public policies for oral health.

9. Define the core competencies of oral health professionals in the context of public health, understanding the scope of practice versus individual clinical practice. Develop leadership and advocacy skills in oral health, applying ethical principles in practice. Identify opportunities for collaboration with other health professionals and understand the role within multidisciplinary teams. Develop effective advocacy messages for different audiences, use media and social networks to promote population oral health, and participate in public debates on oral health policies.

10. Select appropriate study designs for different research questions, plan cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to assess prevalence, incidence, and risk factors. Use qualitative methods to understand experiences in oral health and apply mixed methods in research. Apply appropriate statistical techniques for epidemiological data analysis, interpret results considering methodological limitations, and communicate findings to different audiences.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

At the level ofKnowledge and Understanding

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development and contemporary principles of public and community oral health.
2. Identify the epidemiological patterns and burden of oral diseases across different population groups.
3. Describe the main social, behavioral, economic, environmental, and political determinants of oral health, including issues of inequality and inequity.
4. Understand the structure and organization of oral health services and programs in Portugal and internationally.

 At the level of Applying Knowledge and Understanding

1. Analyze and interpret oral health indicators and epidemiological data using standardized methods.

2. Apply evidence-based strategies for oral health promotion tailored to different population needs.

3. Identify and assess barriers to accessing and utilizing oral health care (economic, geographic, cultural, organizational).

4. Contribute to the design of community-based oral health interventions.

At the the Level of Judgment and Critical Thinking

1. Critically evaluate public oral health programs and policies at national and international levels.

2. Assess the methodological quality and limitations of scientific evidence in oral epidemiology and health promotion.

3. Make informed and ethical decisions regarding oral health advocacy and planning.

 At the level of Communication Skills

1. Communicate epidemiological data and oral health information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including policymakers, professionals, and communities.

2. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to improve public oral health outcomes.

At the level of Learning Skills

1. Demonstrate autonomy in learning and the ability to integrate knowledge from various sources.

2. Engage in reflective practice regarding the role of oral health professionals in public health contexts.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Students are required to meet the following prerequisites: prior knowledge of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, as acquired in the curricular units of Public Health and Epidemiology, Research Methodologies and Biostatistics I, and Research Methodologies and Biostatistics II

Program

Concepts of Oral Public Health. Concepts of Community Oral Health.

Historical perspective of Oral Public and Community Health.

Patterns of occurrence and determinants of oral diseases in populations.

The global burden of oral disease.

Quality of oral healthcare.

Barriers to accessing oral healthcare.

Inequalities and Inequities in oral health.

Population-based approach vs. risk-group approach.

Sources of information and services in Oral Public and Community Health.

Identifying priorities and defining strategies in population health based on evidence.

Oral health plans and programs in Portugal and other contexts.

Oral health professionals and their responsibility in the context of Public and Community Health.

Measurement of Oral Health and Disease in an epidemiological context.

Mandatory literature

Daly , Blánaid; Essential dental public health. ISBN: 978-0-19-967937-9
Ivor G. Chestnutt ; Dental Public Health at a Glance , Wiley, 2024. ISBN: 978-1-394-18431-6

Complementary Bibliography

WHO; Report of WHO Global Oral Health Meeting, Bangkok 2024
OMS; Tracking progress on the implementation of the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030: Baseline report

Comments from the literature

Recent scientific articles will be provided as supporting and study material during the theoretical and theoretical-practical classes.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching methods used in this CU  include theoretical classes and theoretical-practical classes.

The theoretical sessions will focus on the presentation of core content, supported by key concept explanation, guided discussion, and practical contextualization.

In the theoretical-practical sessions, students will be encouraged to apply the knowledge acquired through critical analysis of recent scientific articles, case study resolution, group discussions, and other interactive activities.

These methods aim to promote critical thinking, active learning, and the consolidation of knowledge.

Software

SPSS

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Teste	60,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	45,00
Frequência das aulas	37,50
Total:	82,50

Eligibility for exams

Attendance is granted to students who have attended at least 75% of the theoretical-practical (TP) classes and who have fulfilled the requirements established for continuous assessment.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade will be calculated according to the following formula:

(Continuous assessment * 0.6) + (Lecture questions * 0.1) + (Practical work and participation * 0.3)

Where:

• Continuous assessment refers to the summative test conducted at the end of the semester.

• Lecture questions correspond to the short questions presented at the end of each theoretical lecture, to be answered by students on the Moodle platform.

• Practical work includes the evaluation assignments completed during the practical (TP) sessions.

• Participation in practical classes assesses the level of student engagement and contribution to the discussions of the topics addressed in the TP sessions.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Special exams and/or assignments are not considered/included.

Internship work/project

This course unit does not include an internship/project.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Special examinations will be conducted in accordance with the current regulations of FMDUP.

Classification improvement

Improvement of the final grade may be requested during the resit examination, provided the student has successfully passed the course unit.

Observations

Students are required to meet the following prerequisites: prior knowledge of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, as acquired in the curricular units of Public Health and Epidemiology, Research Methodologies and Biostatistics I, and Research Methodologies and Biostatistics II