Physiotherapy in Dentistry (REK_188)
About Study Course
Objective
To introduce the field of physiotherapy, its possibilities and effectiveness in dental patients, to promote interdisciplinary collaboration between dentists and physiotherapists, in developing and realisation of complex, effective treatment strategies in dental patients.
To develop understanding and the skills to use physiotherapy self-management strategies (methods) to reduce/ to prevent own health risks in context of dentist professional work.
Prerequisites
Normal anatomy and physiology, pathological physiology, basic of physics or basic principles of biomechanics.
Learning outcomes
Introduction to physiotherapy basic concepts, assessment, evaluation and management strategies, physiotherapy application possibilities – treatment and rehabilitation, prevention and health promotion.
Students describe function and dysfunction of TMJ, clinical manifestation of TMD, physiotherapy and evidence of its effectiveness. Basic understanding of myofascial pain syndrome and its clinical manifestation in head, neck, face and mouth regions. Describe myofunctional disorders in orthodontic patients, current management strategies.
Describe topicalities in physiotherapy self-management techniques to reduce/ prevent own health risks in the context of a dentist's professional work.
Assess and evaluate TMJ function and its limitation, type of TMD. Recognize the typical myofascial pain patterns in head, neck, face and mouth regions and palpate the relevant trigger points. Recognize and evaluate the presence or risk of myofunctional disoders. Use myofunctional screening test NOT-S and interpret results. Develop appropriate complex treatment strategy within interdisciplinar cooperation for dental patients.
Use physiotherapy self-management techniques to reduce/ prevent own health risks in the context of a dentist's professional work.
Evaluate and include in process of clinical reasoning physical functional disorders (head, neck, face and mouth regions) or risk of their development in dental patients, developing interdisciplinar collaboration with a physiotherapist to promote an appropriate and effective treatment strategy.
Choose appropriate self-management strategies to reduce/ prevent own health risks in the context of a dentist's professional work.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry, ZF | 8 | Master’s | Limited choice | Daina Šmite, Leons Gvergždis | |
| Dentistry, SSNSF | 8 | Master’s | Limited choice | Leons Gvergždis, Daina Šmite, Didzis Rozenbergs |
