Society and Health 1 (ORAL10001)

This first-year subject is a compulsory subject in the Bachelor of Oral Health. It supports students as they develop their academic and critical reflection skills through exploring evidence related to the complex interplay of social factors that contribute to health and oral health outcomes at an individual, community and population level. This subject introduces students to health sociology and psychology and includes topics related to: the socio-demographic, cultural, economic, commercial and environmental determinants of health; psychological and psychosocial development; psychosocial factors that impact on oral health and disease experience and the utilisation of oral health services; oral health care planning and delivery.  

Students will participate in a range of individual and team-based learning opportunities, including lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations and project work, and the completion of online learning modules.  

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Discuss the links between the key social, economic, and cultural processes that influence health and oral health 
• Discuss the diversity in healthcare needs of individuals and community groups within the various care delivery modes
• Apply learning theories to the adoption and change of oral health behaviours
• Identify the implications of behaviour and the patient-health professional relationship on the delivery of oral health care
• Identify and appraise literature for application to the practice of oral health therapy
• Describe the current health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the key events since colonisation that have impacted health outcomes
• Discuss the role of oral health professionals in addressing individual and community the oral health needs

Generic skills