Title: Nutritional Assessment and Counseling in Dental Hygiene Practice
Course: DES 2710 General and Oral Nutrition > Section: Module Twelve

Introduction

In this module we consider all of the factors we have discussed throughout this course that the impact nutritional intake can have on an individual’s oral and systemic health. As dental hygienists we have the ability to include consideration of dietary habits and nutrient excesses and deficiencies in our assessment of the patients that we treat. As in all aspects of patient education good communication skills are required to motivate change in behaviors and habits that can contribute to poor oral and systemic health. You will use the information contained within your text and additional resources provided to analyze your own dietary intake and create a dialogue to recommend appropriate recommendations for you as the hypothetical dental patient.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate appropriate nutrition assessment and dietary counseling techniques for the treatment of nutrition-related dental diseases
- Use computer software to determine the nutrient content of his/her own diet, and use intake guidelines to appropriately evaluate the diet.
- Identify food factors and eating patterns that may contribute to the development of caries and/or impact healing of oral tissues
- Propose appropriate dietary recommendations for a dental patient using motivational interviewing techniques
- Understand and use the key terms related to the chapter.

Readings and Resources

Readings include the chapters from the book and articles assigned by the instructor

Chapter 20 in the textbook

Read/Review

"My Plate"

http://www.choosemyplate.gov

"Weight Loss and Diet Journal"

http://www.fitday.com

"Motivational Interviewing"

http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/2013/03_March/Features/Sunstar_Spotlight__Motivational_Interviewing.aspx

Assignments

- Complete Readings
- Complete and post Individual Project 3 “The Reveal”