About Oral Public Health and Community Service Program, Summer 2005

This program examines the impact of society, disparate cultures, attitudes, health beliefs and risk behaviors on oral public health. The fundamental principles and practices of public health, epidemiology, civic engagement, and community service are presented from a practical and applied perspective. The significance of oral diseases and disorders as a "silent epidemic" and their grave impact on general health and well-being is emphasized, including specific examples of current issues and "hot topics" in oral public health. Strategies and methods to overcome existing substantial impediments to oral healthcare access for the most needy, vulnerable and underserved populations, is discussed from the perspective of community-based healthcare systems development. The course is principally a lecture/seminar format, with readings, case studies, assigned learning experience project and final paper. Students are expected to participate actively in class discussion. Please note that the course as presented here does not contain the full content of the course as taught at Tufts. The included content is based on material the Tufts faculty and instructors choose to include, as well as factors such as content preparation, software compatibility, and intellectual property and copyright restrictions.