Stomatology for Nurses Course

Lesson 1 • Periodontium and Supporting Structures

Describes gingiva, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum as a functional unit. Links tissue health to systemic nursing assessments.

Lesson 2 • Structures of the Oral Cavity

Covers lips, cheeks, palate, floor of mouth, and tongue anatomy. Establishes the spatial framework nurses use for all oral assessments.

Lesson 3 • Neurovascular Supply of the Oral Region

Maps key nerves and blood vessels supplying oral tissues. Prepares nurses to anticipate pain referral patterns and bleeding risks during care.

Lesson 4 • Tooth Anatomy and Nomenclature

Explains crown, root, pulp, enamel, dentin, and cementum. Provides the vocabulary nurses need to document and communicate dental findings.

Lesson 1 • Dental and Periodontal Screening

Introduces basic dental charting, caries identification, and gingival scoring tools. Connects screening findings to nursing care planning and referral decisions.

Lesson 2 • Oral Assessment in Special Populations

Adapts examination techniques for pediatric, elderly, and cognitively impaired patients. Ensures nurses can complete safe assessments across diverse patient groups.

Lesson 3 • Soft Tissue Inspection Methods

Teaches visual and tactile examination of mucosa, tongue, gingiva, and oropharynx. Enables nurses to detect lesions, inflammation, and abnormal tissue changes.

Lesson 4 • Validated Oral Assessment Tools

Reviews standardized scoring instruments used in hospital and long-term care settings. Builds consistency in nursing documentation and interdisciplinary communication.

Lesson 1 • Periodontal Diseases Overview

Distinguishes gingivitis from periodontitis and describes disease progression. Prepares nurses to recognize periodontal signs and understand systemic links.

Lesson 2 • Oral Manifestations of Systemic Disease

Identifies oral signs associated with diabetes, blood disorders, and autoimmune conditions. Links oral findings to systemic nursing assessments and care plans.

Lesson 3 • Oral Mucosal Lesions and Infections

Covers aphthous ulcers, herpes simplex, candidiasis, and traumatic lesions. Enables nurses to distinguish infectious from non-infectious mucosal pathology.

Lesson 4 • Oral Cancer Recognition and Screening

Describes risk factors, early warning signs, and screening steps for oral cancer. Equips nurses to identify suspicious lesions and initiate urgent referral.

Lesson 1 • Manual Toothbrushing Techniques

Teaches modified Bass, Fones, and Stillman brushing methods with clinical rationale. Provides the core skill for daily oral hygiene delivery in nursing practice.

Lesson 2 • Fluoride and Antimicrobial Agents

Reviews fluoride toothpastes, gels, varnishes, and chlorhexidine rinses for nursing use. Connects agent selection to patient caries risk and mucosal condition.

Lesson 3 • Denture and Prosthesis Care

Explains cleaning, storage, and inspection of full and partial dentures. Prevents denture-related stomatitis and maintains prosthesis integrity in nursing care.

Lesson 4 • Oral Care for Dependent Patients

Addresses positioning, suction, and foam swab use for patients unable to self-care. Ensures safe, effective oral hygiene for bedridden and unconscious patients.

Lesson 1 • Oral Care for Intubated Patients

Covers safe technique for oral hygiene around endotracheal and nasogastric tubes. Prevents tube displacement and mucosal injury during oral care procedures.

Lesson 2 • Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention

Explains the oral-pulmonary infection pathway and evidence-based oral care bundles. Positions oral hygiene as a core VAP prevention intervention in critical care.

Lesson 3 • Managing Oral Complications in Acute Care

Identifies and responds to xerostomia, mucositis, bleeding, and infection in acute patients. Enables nurses to intervene early and escalate appropriately.

Lesson 1 • Bisphosphonate and Antiresorptive Complications

Identifies medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) risk factors and nursing role. Prepares nurses to screen patients and coordinate pre-treatment dental care.

Lesson 2 • Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis

Explains mucositis grading, onset timing, and evidence-based nursing interventions. Prepares nurses to implement prevention protocols and manage patient pain.

Lesson 3 • Immunosuppression and Oral Infection Risk

Addresses oral infections in transplant, HIV, and steroid-dependent patients. Guides nurses in heightened surveillance and infection prevention for immunocompromised patients.

Lesson 4 • Radiation-Induced Oral Complications

Covers xerostomia, trismus, osteoradionecrosis, and radiation caries from head and neck radiation. Links radiation field mapping to specific oral complication risks.

Lesson 1 • Geriatric Oral Health Challenges

Addresses root caries, tooth loss, dry mouth, and polypharmacy effects in older adults. Connects geriatric oral health to nutrition, aspiration, and quality of life.

Lesson 2 • Oral Health in Palliative Care

Focuses on comfort-oriented oral care for patients at end of life. Addresses dry mouth, pain, and dignity in oral hygiene for dying patients.

Lesson 3 • Oral Care for Patients with Disabilities

Adapts oral hygiene techniques for physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Ensures nurses can deliver or supervise effective oral care for all patients.

Lesson 4 • Oral Health During Pregnancy

Explains pregnancy gingivitis, pyogenic granuloma, and safe oral care practices. Enables nurses to counsel pregnant patients and dispel common oral health myths.

Lesson 1 • Oral Health Patient Education Principles

Applies health literacy, motivational interviewing, and teach-back to oral health teaching. Builds nurses' ability to deliver effective, patient-centered oral health education.

Lesson 2 • Nursing Role in the Dental Care Team

Defines the nurse's scope in oral health within interdisciplinary teams. Clarifies collaboration boundaries with dentists, hygienists, and speech therapists.

Lesson 3 • Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Programs

Introduces community and institutional oral health promotion frameworks. Prepares nurses to contribute to population-level oral disease prevention initiatives.

Lesson 4 • Documentation and Legal Considerations

Covers accurate oral health documentation, incident reporting, and professional accountability. Ensures nurses meet regulatory and ethical standards in oral care delivery.