In this subject students develop the awareness of health determinants as applied to oral health and the prevention of oral disease by learning principles of health education, promotion and planning as preparation for community dental practice. Epidemiology of caries and periodontal disease is studied and students are introduced to caries classification systems and the concept of caries management by risk assessment. Australia's National Oral Health Plan is analysed with enquiry into the needs of identified high risk groups. The role of nutrition in the aetiology of oral disease is considered. The subject critiques oral health service delivery models in Australia and evaluates acknowledged constraints. Evidence based scientific literature is reviewed from the perspective of preventive dentistry and the relationship to dental public health.

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