Caries Process and Prevention Strategies: The Agent
COURSE NUMBER: 369
Susan Higham, BSc, PhD, CBiol, MRSB; Chris Hope, BSc (Hons), PhD, FHEA; Sabeel Valappil, BSc, MSc, PhD, PGCertEd, FHEA; Phil Smith, BDS, MDS, PhD, FDS, DRD, MRD, FDS (Rest Dent) RCS (Edin), FHEA
Credit Hours:
1 Hour(s)
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This course is part 2 of a 10-part series entitled Caries Process and Prevention Strategies. Dental caries is a multifactorial, infectious disease affecting a significant percentage of the population. This course describes the etiology an...
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Overview
This course is part 2 of a 10-part series entitled Caries Process and Prevention Strategies. Dental caries is a multifactorial, infectious disease affecting a significant percentage of the population. This course describes the etiology and pathways of progression of dental caries, including an in-depth review of the role of dental plaque and oral bacteria.
Dental caries is arguably the most prevalent disease in man, affecting most of the dentate population at some time in their lives. In the United States, dental caries is the most common chronic disease in childhood, with 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 having had caries in primary teeth and 23% of children in this same age group having untreated dental caries.1 Among dentate adults aged 20 to 64, 91% have caries in permanent teeth.2 Commonly termed “tooth decay,” caries is the localized destruction of tooth tissues over time by acid that is produced in the mouth when oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, ferment dietary carbohydrates. These bacteria aggregate in dental plaque that forms on the outer surface of teeth. In a healthy mouth environment, the bacteria that populate plaque are harmless, but when the environment becomes acidic, the population changes to bacteria that thrive in acidity and are linked to caries. A combination of several factors and sub-factors are required for dental caries to develop, including some that are innate to the oral environment, making caries a multifactorial disease that can be difficult to manage and completely prevent. The caries process, the multiple factors that influence caries development, and plaque as a microbial biofilm ecosystem, are discussed.
Intended Audience:
Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Dental Students, Dental Hygiene Students, Dental Assisting Students
Date Course Online:
Dec 9, 2010
Last Revision Date:
Jun 29, 2021
Course Expiration Date:
Jun 28, 2024
Cost:
Free
Method:
Self-instructional
AGD Subject Code(s):
11
Technical Requirements:
Stable internet connection and the latest version of browser and device software are recommended.
Learning Objectives
Upon the completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:
- Define dental caries.
- Discuss the medical history of caries along with its natural history.
- Identify the combination of factors required for caries to develop, and how sub-factors influence this process.
- Define dental plaque as a microbial biofilm.
- Describe the development and maturation of dental plaque.
- Understand the microbial diversity of plaque and recognize it as an ecosystem.
- Discuss the ecological plaque hypothesis.
- Name the bacteria associated with caries.
- Discuss how the acidity in the oral environment is the major determinant of plaque ecology.
- Identify how bacteria convert dietary carbohydrates to acids.
Disclaimers
- P&G is providing these resource materials to dental professionals. We do not own this content nor are we responsible for any material herein.
- Participants must always be aware of the hazards of using limited knowledge in integrating new techniques or procedures into their practice. Only sound evidence-based dentistry should be used in patient therapy.
Note: Registration is required to take test.
Submission Information
Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Submission For credit transfers to appear in your AGD account in real time, make sure to add your AGD membership number in the field provided on the “Share Your Test Score” page.
CE Broker For all states that use CE Broker for licensure, “proof of completions” are electronically reported the first of every month. If a course was taken in November, the “proof of completion” will be submitted the beginning of December.
Recognition
ADEA
Newly updated in 2018 by The Procter & Gamble Company, this course was first developed in conjunction with the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) in 2008. ADEA members are encouraged to go to ADEA weTeach® for a user-friendly gateway providing dental, allied dental and other health educators with access to high-quality teaching, learning and assessment resources. Health care faculty at any stage of their career will benefit from these “how-to” resources, and also gain the opportunity to share and publish educational best practices within MedEdPORTAL®. Visit: http://www.adea.org/weteach
Approved PACE Program Provider
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.
Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.
8/1/2021 to 7/31/2027
Provider ID# 211886
AADH Approved Program Provider
Procter & Gamble is designated as an approved Provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHPGC (January 1, 2024-December 31, 2025). Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial Board of Dentistry. Licensee should maintain this document in the event of an audit.
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