Fundamentals of Cariology (ZTMVK_076)
About Study Course
Objective
To provide knowledge about the aetiology of caries and the role of various factors in the development of caries from enamel demineralisation to dentin caries. To provide knowledge and develop skills in caries diagnosis and assessment of carious lesions, to develop skills in patient examination and completion of the patient's outpatient record.
Prerequisites
Biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, histology, embryology, dental anatomy.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing the course, the student will know:
The role of oral biofilms, diet and nutrition, saliva and other host factors, fluoride and behavioural/social factors related to caries and other dental hard tissue disorders.
Biochemical events in the biofilm, in saliva and in dental hard tissues.
Acid and base production, buffering properties and the effects of saturation in saliva and biofilm.
The role of environmental factors, drugs and systemic diseases related to caries and other dental hard tissue disorders.
The physical and biological basis of changes in dental hard tissues as related to the detection and assessment of caries.
The principles of caries risk assessment.
The principles of evaluating the performance of diagnostic methods as applied to caries and other dental hard tissue disorders.
Judging emerging information on risk factors and indicators, methods for the detection, assessment and diagnosis of caries and other dental hard tissue disorders.
Describe and discuss the mechanisms and dynamic processes involved in maintaining a state of health, as well as the host response in caries at the macroscopic, microscopic and molecular levels.
Obtain data by selecting the appropriate risk factors/indicators if/when applicable from: patient’s histories comprising medical, oral, dental, social and economic aspects; oral health behaviours by taking into account oral hygiene, knowledge, preferences and self-efficacy, dietary habits and intraoral biological factors; caries experience; fluoride use; and systemic health; and considering new validated risk factors, as new evidence emerges.
Recognise abnormal tooth tissue and differentiate between carious and non-carious hard tissue changes or anomalies.
Collect and record data on the presence of different stages of the caries process (signs) and symptoms related to dental caries.
Assess activity status for different stages of the caries process.
Understand the benefits of practising in an evidence-based manner at both individual and public health levels.
Competent at applying knowledge and understanding of the aetiology and development of caries to recognise caries, perform caries diagnosis through collecting, analysing and integrating data on caries risk factors, signs and symptoms of dental caries and assess the stage and activity status of a lesion on a tooth surface to arrive at an identification of past or present occurrence of the disease caries or whether there is a risk of developing caries.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry, SSNSFz | 3 | Master’s | Required | Ilze Maldupa, Natālija Protasa, Agnese Rivare-Pālena |
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry, SSNSF | 3 | Master’s | Required | ||
| Dentistry, ZF | 3 | Master’s | Required |
