20630 - Odontostomatological Diseases

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student possesses theoretical knowledge in the field of odontostomatological diseases, with particular reference to the role of nutrition in promoting oral health. She/he is able to educate on dental prevention from a dietary point of view and is capable in identifying population groups at risk of oral diseases related to food and/or eating disorders, planing and carrying out targeted prevention interventions.

Course contents

The course explores the bidirectional relationships between oral health, nutrition, and systemic health, highlighting the role of the dietitian in disease prevention and multidisciplinary patient care. The oral cavity will be presented not as an isolated anatomical district, but as the first segment of the gastrointestinal tract and a key component of overall health, capable of both reflecting systemic and nutritional disorders and influencing dietary function and quality of life.

Building on fundamental concepts of oral anatomy and physiology, the course will examine the major oral diseases and the oral manifestations of systemic conditions, with particular emphasis on their nutritional implications and the role of nutritional status in maintaining oral health.

Special attention will be devoted to nutrition and eating disorders, highlighting how the oral cavity may represent an early site of clinical manifestations while, at the same time, oral diseases may affect masticatory function, dietary habits, nutritional status, and overall well-being.

The course will also review current scientific evidence regarding the interactions among oral inflammation, the oral microbiome, nutrition, and chronic non-communicable diseases, promoting an integrated view of patient health.

Specific topics will include periodontal disease, dental caries, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and diabetes mellitus, with particular emphasis on their reciprocal clinical and nutritional implications. The role of micronutrients and dietary supplements in oral wound healing and tissue repair will also be discussed.

Readings/Bibliography

Articles and notes provided by the teacher. The material used during the lessons will be made available online.

Teaching methods

Teaching activities will be delivered primarily through interactive lectures supported by audiovisual resources. Through the discussion of clinical examples and the presentation of clinical images and diagnostic documentation, students will be guided to understand the relationships between oral health, nutrition, and systemic health, fostering an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Teaching sessions will also be enriched by the use of three-dimensional anatomical models and clinical simulators, designed to facilitate the understanding of oral anatomy, the main oral diseases, and their functional, clinical, and nutritional implications. These tools will promote a more engaging and hands-on learning experience while enhancing students' observational skills and their ability to interpret clinical findings.

Assessment methods

Student learning will be assessed at the end of the course by means of a written test consisting of 32 multiple-choice questions, aimed at ascertaining the student's knowledge of the three modules that make up the integrated course. The questions will be proportional to the credits of each module. Each question will have four answers, only one of which will be correct. Each correct answer will be worth one point, while each incorrect or unanswered question will be worth zero points. The exam will be considered passed with at least 18 correct answers (grade: 18/30). The final grade will correspond to the number of correct answers (from 18 to 30); if there are 31 or 32 correct answers, the grade awarded will be 30 with honors. During the exam, the use of support materials such as textbooks, notes, and computer aids will not be permitted.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University Office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ) in good time. It will be their responsibility to propose any adjustments to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted at least 15 days in advance for approval by the teachers, who will assess their appropriateness in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Montevecchi