title: Examination of lifestyle factors and diseases in teaching periodontology in dental education in the Nordic countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lifestyle and general diseases are important for the development of periodontitis and other diseases in the oral cavity. Therefore, knowledge on lifestyle factors must be part of the dental curriculum. However, a search for information in the literature databases gave meagre results. The aim of this study was to describe education of lifestyle in relation to diseases in the oral cavity with focus on periodontitis and to elucidate how education is practiced and reflected in dental education in the Nordic countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire, which consisted of 18 questions, was sent to the chairs of the departments of periodontology in the Nordic countries. The questions concerned extent, curriculum structure, educational method, content, assessment and evaluation of the education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Education on lifestyle factors took place at all dental schools, but the extent, content and placement in the curriculum varied. In some schools, more than 10 lessons were scheduled; two schools had only 3-5 lessons. The education of lifestyle factors was prioritised highest in the departments of periodontology followed by cariology and general health. Despite differences in the content across the dental schools, there were also similarities. So, at all schools smoking, medication, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2 had a high priority. Education of other factors such as alcohol, psychological stress, oral hygiene habits, hypotension and obesity varied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the general view that understanding of odontology is considered to be rather homogenous in the Nordic countries, the education varies across the dental schools. This variation may inspire dental educators in the future planning dental curricula.
authors: Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: N-E
authors: NE
authors: Fiehn
authors: Department of Odontology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: L B
authors: LB
authors: Christensen
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010517:Periodontics / Q000193:education*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Nordic countries; dental education; dental schools; lifestyle; periodontics