The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Sustainability in Dentistry was developed by the FDI World Dental Federation to help oral health professionals understand the importance of sustainable practice and their own role in tackling sustainability issues.
Course Description
The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Sustainability in Dentistry was developed by the FDI World Dental Federation to help oral health professionals understand the importance of sustainable practice and their own role in tackling sustainability issues. The course is available in multiple languages.
Module 1: Oral Healthcare and the Environment
In this module, we will discuss the bi-directional relationship between oral healthcare and the changing environment. We will begin by introducing the environmental threats of climate change and pollution, before discussing how healthcare and oral healthcare specifically contribute to these burdens.
Module 2: Sustainability through Good Oral Healthcare
In this module, we provide a framework for the management of preventable oral diseases and the delivery of optimal care in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Module 3: Making Sustainability Work
In this module, we focus on action: what can OHPs, dental teams, dental practices, patients, governments, organizations, and others do to reduce the impact of oral healthcare on the environment. We also explore broad strategies such as the common risk factor approach, health and sustainability legislation, and universal health coverage (UHC), as well as what you can do as an individual and practice, including the use of the FDI Sustainability in Dentistry Toolkit.
A final assessment at the end of the course allows students to formally pass the course and receive a printable course certificate.
For questions about this course, contact FDI World Dental Federation.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the role of the oral health professional in environmental sustainability
- Understand the impact of oral healthcare on the environment
- Utilize evidence-based dentistry to improve the oral health of your patients in an environmentally conscious way
Course Developers
The content of this course was authored by experts in the field of environmental sustainability in oral healthcare. These educators are members of the FDI Sustainability in Dentistry Task Team.