LV EN RU DE FR

Nutrition and Oral Health

Prior knowledge

Medi5002, Nutrition Policy and Nutrition Science

Medi5003, Assessment of Nutritional Status

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to develop a deeper understanding of the physiological processes in the oral cavity and its relation to the digestive tract, the mouth as one of the most important gastrointestinal components in food intake, digestion and absorption processes.
The tasks of the course are as follows:
1) to improve students’ knowledge and skills about nutrition’s role in ensuring oral heath, essential nutrients, early detection of micronutrients deficiency in the mouth;

2) to detect and prevent the risk of malnutrition.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
1) to understand relationship between nutrition and oral health;
2) to understand the positive and negative impact between the diet and its individual components and oral health;
3) to know how to reduce certain nutrient component negative impact on oral cavity in clinical praxis.
Skills:
4) students will have acquired basic skills in nutrition, micronutrient deficiency early detection in the mouth, using of oral nutritional supplements and enteral tube feeding in patients with impaired normal food intake through the mouth (jaw fractures, oral cancer patients, etc.).;
5) students will have skills in early detection of malignancy in oral cavity, as well as skills about vitamin deficiency manifestations in oral cavity.
Competencies:

1) assessment of oral cavity changes and usage of results in assessment and treatment of patient overall health condition.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures
1. The role of nutrition in the development of dental caries. Nutritional products and plant extracts with anti-caries and anti-balding activity. L2
2. Nutrition and periodontal diseases, diseases of the oral mucosa. Halitosis. Xerostomia. L2
3. Diseases and side effects of nutrient deficiencies and manifestations of the oral cavity. L4
4. Clinical manifestations of deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in the oral cavity. L4
5. Malignant neoplasms of head and neck, nutrition as a factor contributing to malignancy of head and neck. L4
6. The role of nutrition in the treatment of head and neck malignant neoplasms and in the life after oncological therapy. L4
7. Enteral Nutrition. Use of oral enteral nutritional mixtures and tube feeding in patients who are impaired in oral nutrition. L4
8. Dairy products and oral health and the risk of developing periodontal disease. L4
9. Antioxidants and periodontal diseases. Micronutrients as part of the treatment of future periodontal disease.

10. Analysis of evidence-based studies on nutrition and oral health. L4

Requirements for awarding credit points

Participation in seminars and lectures is mandatory.
Assessment:
1) analysis and presentation of the research article – 50%;

2) examination (written) – 50%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent work is intended both during and outside the classes.
Tasks:
1) independent research and analysis of scientific literature;

2) preparation for the knowledge testing.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Assessment:
1) analysis and presentation of the research article – 50%;

2) examination (written) – 50%.

Compulsory reading

1. Palmer, C.A., Boyd, L.D. (2016) Diet and nutrition in oral health. Pearson Education.
2. Touder-Decker, R. (2014) Nutrition and oral health. Humana press.
3. Selga, G. (2009) Enterālā ēdināšana. GSE.
4. Shills, M.E. et al. (2006) Modern nutrition in health and disease. 10th edit. Williams and Wilkins.
5. Nutrition ad oral medicine (2004) Edit. R. Touger-Decker, D.Sirois, C.Mobley. Springer.
6. Zariņš, Z., Neimane, L., Bodienks, E. (2016) Uztura mācība. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.
7. Geriatric nutrition (1999) Handbook. Edit. R.Chernoff. The Health Professionals.

Further reading

1. Mahan, L.K. (2000) Krause’s Food, Nutrition & Diet Therapy.

2. Kasper, H. (2000) Ernährungsmedizin und Dietitik. Jene.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Clinical Nutrition. Journal of European Society of Clinical Nutrition.
2. Nutrition. The international journal of applied and basic nutritional science.

3. Nutrition Journal http://www.nutritionj.com