Community service learning. (Image courtesy of TUSDM Alumni Magazine.)

This course addresses the following questions:

• What are Public Health, Civic Engagement, and Community Service, and how do they relate to general health and well-being?
• What are the fundamentals of epidemiology and biostatistics and what are their practical applications in general health and healthcare?
• Why are oral health and oral healthcare access major public health issues world-wide?
• How do the oral public health issues of water fluoridation, mercury disposal, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and tobacco use impact general health and well-being?
• How can the strategies and methods of community-based healthcare systems development make a positive impact on oral health and oral healthcare access?

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.