vcc.ca
DHYG 2255: Nutrition for Oral Health
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Dental Hygiene
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course prepares learners to identify dietary contributors to oral and systemic disease. Learners will be able to assist clients in improving their oral and general health through dietary assessment and nutritional counselling that is culturally relevant, and within the dental hygiene scope of practice.
Credits
2.0
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Assess nutritional status for a diversity of people accessing dental hygiene care, using Canada’s Dietary Guidelines.
- Integrate nutritional assessment information to form a dental hygiene diagnosis.
- Plan person-centered nutrition counseling within the dental hygiene scope of practice, using Canada’s Dietary Guidelines.
- Compare nutritional needs of various client populations including variations in nutrition requirements throughout the life span.
- Implement person-centered and culturally relevant nutrition counseling that utilizes principles of motivational interviewing.
- Evaluate outcomes of nutrition counseling according to standards of practice and relevant legislation.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
PLAR is applied in alignment with the Procedures of Policy D.3.5 - Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.
Students will be assessed by a Challenge Exam, designed to validate the knowledge of the candidate as it relates to the course learning outcomes.
Students will be assessed by a Challenge Exam, designed to validate the knowledge of the candidate as it relates to the course learning outcomes.
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Total Hours: 30
Total Hours: 30
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies include active, collaborative learning; lecture; experiential learning in simulation, case-based learning; group work; discussion; and self-reflection.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
60% |
4-6 Written Quizzes |
|
Project |
30% |
Dietary assessment & Nutrition Counseling (NC) Role-play |
|
Other |
10% |
Self & Peer Assessment of NC Role-Play |
Course topics
- Canada's Food Guidelines Cariogenic Foods and Beverages Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan Macro and Micronutrients Food Skills & Food Literacy Dietary Assessment DH Role in Nutritional Counseling
Learning resources
Course resource information will be supplied by the department/instructor.
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.