Module Directory

This module will develop an appreciation of how dentistry sits alongside the wider healthcare family, the impact of systemic diseases, including mental health, on both the oral cavity and general health and, in turn, how this impacts the management of patients. Community-based and aspects of Special Needs dentistry will also be considered.

The aims of this module are:

• To introduce the concept of the health and illness continuum and implications for health promotion.


• To differentiate disease and illness and the implications for dental management.


• To foster the habit of risk assessment as part of routine dental practice.


• To highlight groups in society who have special oral health needs, heightening awareness of inequality and access issues


• To develop the skills and attitude necessary to meet the needs of these client groups

By the end of the module, students will be expected to:

1. Discuss the health and illness continuum and the differences between illness and disease.


2. Demonstrate critical understanding of the physiological and emotional defence systems and factors that compromise them.


3. Apply relevant psychological principles to enable patients to take responsibility for their own health.


4. Discuss the short- and long-term effects of the physiological and emotional responses to stress and other mental health issues and apply appropriate measures to reduce stress and anxiety.

5. List the pharmacological properties of the drugs used in general dental practice, including their unwanted effects and the effects to oral health from recreational drug use.


6. Outline the manifestations of common human diseases and disorders relevant to the practice of dental hygiene, including their investigation, prognosis, prevention and management.


7. Demonstrate understanding of the main medical disorders and mental health conditions that may impinge on dental health and treatment.


8. List the pathological features and dental relevance of common disorders of major organ systems.


9. List the role of therapeutics in the management of patients requiring dental treatment.


10. Check and evaluate a patient’s medical and social history and demonstrate understanding of the potential contraindications or impacts to dental care.


11. Acknowledge the limitations of mechanical non-surgical treatment and demonstrate competence in the role and use of antimicrobials.


12. Recognise the limitation of his/her own skills and practice within the scope of DCPs.


13. Define the term ‘special needs’ in the context of dental care and list the groups with special needs or protected characteristics, including measures to be taken to safeguard vulnerable individuals and maintain diversity and inclusion for all.


14. Demonstrate understanding of the special dental needs of children with disabilities and have experience in the recognition of developmental dental abnormalities.


15. Demonstrate understanding of the principles or problems in the provision of domiciliary care and the role of the dental hygienist within this environment.


16. Demonstrate understanding of the dental health issues, management and treatment of patients with physical or learning disabilities, patients with mental health problems, the old and frail person, medically compromised patients and terminally ill patients, and assist in the care of such patients.


17. Recognise the contribution of other team members and health care professionals in the care of these client groups, discuss treatment and interact with other health care professionals and members of the team.


18. Demonstrate understanding of the principles of implant therapy and, working within a team context, undertake implant maintenance.

Professional body requirements

In order to meet accreditation requirements students will be required to pass all module assessment components

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction to the module: Aims and assessments. Case studies.


• What are health and illness?


• Review of head and neck nerve supply. Local anaesthetic use and hygienists.


• BLS update, including children and special needs patients.


• The use of drugs in dental practice: Antibiotics, analgesics, legal control and health and safety.


• The healing process in general and oral health; The role of reassessment.


• The role of antimicrobials in dental treatment.


• Inflammation and immunological responses and their impact on general and oral health.


• The role of risk factors in periodontology.


• Immunological disorders and their dental implications.


• The 2017 classification system; Grading; Necrotising periodontal diseases.


• Infections relevant to dentistry.


• Temporary restorations, recementation and adjusting restored surfaces.


• The cardiovascular system: Common disorders and their dental implications.


• Introduction to dental implants.


• The respiratory system: Common disorders and their dental implications.


• Haematological disorders and their dental implications.


• The nervous system: Common disorders and their dental implications.


• The digestive system: Common disorders and their dental implications.


• The skin and musculoskeletal system: Common disorders and their dental implications.


• The endocrine system: Common disorders and their dental implications.


• The reproductive system: Common disorders and their dental relevance.


• The excretory system: Common disorders and their dental implications.


• Oncology.


• Introduction to mental health and illness.


• Complementary and alternative medicines and their application in general and dental health.


• Stress, anxiety and their management.


• Childhood diseases.


• Concepts of special needs and client groups.


• Barriers to access.


• The wider responsibility of the dental hygienist: practice as a care provider for the community.


• Disabilities, diversity and equal opportunity in the context of health and healthcare.


• Medically compromised patients, treating patients with complex medical histories.


• Practical aspects of treating those with special needs.


• The immunocompromised patient.


• Children as a special needs group I: General considerations.


• Cultural and communication barriers to dental care.


• Children as a special needs group II: Developmental disorders, behavioural and emotional issues.


• Case study preparation.


• Children as a special needs group III: Orthodontics.


• Ageing and oral health: The need for gerodontology.


• Working with a cross-section of client groups with special needs – a professional’s viewpoint.


• Common oral and dental diseases affecting the older adult.


• Mental disabilities and their impact on oral health.


• Practical aspects of treating those with special needs.


• Common mental health conditions affecting the oral cavity including addiction, depression.


• Implants: Their use, placement and maintenance.


• Physical disabilities and their impact on general and oral health.


• Sensory disabilities and their impact on general and oral health.


• Common learning difficulties and their effects on general and oral health.           


• Safeguarding  


• Maxillo-facial surgery: pre- and post-operative care.


• Domiciliary care.


• Care plans


• Xerostomia


• Terminally Ill patients

This module will be delivered via:

• Lectures (150 hours) Online and classroom-based delivery
• Workshops (30 hours)

Independent study: Regular guided learning tasks will be set for students using the Moodle virtual learning platform.