20 March 2007

ADEA Symposium: Integration of the "Perio-Systemic Connection" Into the Dental and Dental Hygiene Curriculum
Room: Morial Convention Center - 294

Principal Coordinators: Dr. Anthony Lacopino
Presenters: Ms. Rebecca Wilder, MS, RDH, Dr. Jeffrey Linfante

FOCUS: Research Implications in Classroom and Clinic

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Attendees will: 1) understand the basic connections between oral health and systemic health; 2) understand how the "perio-systemic connection" impacts on didactic, translational, and clinical education; 3) understand how the "perio-systemic connection" serves as a useful model for integration of biomedical and clinical sciences within the dental/hygiene curriculum; and 4) discuss current examples of "best practices" for inclusion of the "perio-systemic connection" in dental/dental hygiene curricula.

The science of the "perio-systemic connection" is advancing rapidly with increasing evidence for relationships between oral and systemic health. There is a need for all educators to be aware of these relationships, so that curricula can be updated to include concepts related to science in clinical practice. It will be important for biomedical sciences faculty to collaborate with clinical faculty to design educational experiences that review the latest science, translate that information to patient care, and ensure that graduates are able to work with other health care professionals in the community to provide comprehensive interdisciplinary care and management. The topics to be covered are: 1) associations between oral health and systemic health; 2) the science supporting the perio-systemic connection; 3) biomedical and clinical sciences content and content sequencing in the dental/dental hygiene curriculum supporting teaching of perio-systemic concepts; and 4) effective teaching approaches that integrate perio-systemic concepts within dental/dental hygiene curricula. Attendees will: 1) understand the basic connections between oral health and systemic health; 2) understand how the perio-systemic connection impacts didactic, translational, and clinical education; 3) understand how the perio-systemic connection serves as a useful model for integration of biomedical and clinical sciences within the dental/dental hygiene curricula; and 4) discuss current examples of best practices for inclusion of the perio-systemic connection in dental and dental hygiene curricula.