Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Integrative Dentistry: Microbiome, Diet and Lifestyle

Integrative Dentistry: Microbiome, Diet and Lifestyle
3
16462
5
Second semester
op
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Teaching staff


Dra. GIORDANO KELHOFFER, Ana Bárbara - bgiordano@uic.es

Introduction

Introduction

The course Integrative Dentistry: Microbiome, Diet, and Lifestyle is offered as an elective subject in the Degree in Dentistry, aimed at providing a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary, and updated vision of oral health. Traditionally, dentistry has focused on the interventionist treatment of local pathologies; however, contemporary scientific evidence unequivocally demonstrates that the oral cavity is not an isolated system.

This course was created to connect dental practice with the individual's systemic health, thoroughly examining the role of the oral microbiome and its interaction with the human body's biological pathways. Throughout the course, students will analyze the pathophysiological mechanisms through which environmental and daily factors —such as diet, sleep, physical activity, and chronic stress— influence microbiota balance (dysbiosis), the immune system, and, consequently, the onset or resolution of the most prevalent oral diseases.

Relevance and Interest for the Student

The relevance of this subject for future dentists is paramount, as it addresses a paradigm shift in the healthcare sector towards a more preventive, personalized, and predictive medicine. Students will find distinct academic and professional value in this course through the following key areas:

  • Understanding Holistic Health: Students will learn to interpret oral health not as an isolated event, but as a reflection of the patient's systemic and metabolic status.

  • Critical Thinking and Evidence-Based Practice: Students will be equipped with the necessary tools to critically analyze the latest scientific advances in microbiomics and human nutrition applied to dental clinics.

  • New Clinical Skills (Brief Counseling): Students will acquire communication and clinical skills to design health education strategies. They will learn to implement "brief counseling" protocols at the dental chair, enabling them to guide patients in improving their lifestyle habits (anti-inflammatory diet, stress management, sleep chronobiology) as an integral part of successful dental treatment.

Ultimately, this elective course offers students a cutting-edge perspective, transforming future professionals into comprehensive health agents capable of treating the root cause of pathologies rather than just their structural consequences.

Pre-course requirements

Without specific requirements.

Objectives

  • To understand the concept of integrative dentistry and the fundamental role of the oral-gut microbiome axis in health and disease.

  • To analyze how diet, nutrition, and lifestyle habits modulate microbiome composition and influence systemic and oral pathophysiological mechanisms.

  • To know the biological foundations, indications, and limitations of using probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in current dental therapeutics.

  • To develop critical reading skills of scientific literature in the fields of microbiomics and lifestyle medicine, as well as its direct transfer to evidence-based clinical practice.

  • To acquire effective communication and empathetic skills for implementing brief counseling protocols and lifestyle health education from the dental chair.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 03 - Knowing how to identify the concerns and expectations of patients, as well as how to communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing, with patients, family members, the media and other professionals.
  • 04 - Understanding and recognising the social and psychological aspects that are relevant in terms of treating patients.
  • 08 - Knowing how to share information with other healthcare professionals and how to work as part of a team.
  • 15 - Being familiar with the general pathological characteristics of the illnesses and disorders that affect organic systems, specifically those which have dental repercussions.

Learning outcomes of the subject

  • 1.02 - Know the most common infectious diseases and the pathogens that cause them
  • 2.04 - Know the behavioral sciences and communication that facilitate dental practice
  • 2.41 - Perform data collection test of the patient to determine the cariogenic diet
  • 2.42 - Advertise dietary habits based on the risk of disease that the patient presents
  • 4.081 - Give a treatment plan for a patient with not caries dental pathology
  • 5.11 - Develop the skills of oral and written communication
  • 5.12 - Develop the capabilities of information management and teamwork
  • 5.13 - Develop the critical argument skills and autonomous learning

Syllabus

This course offers a cross-disciplinary and interconnected journey from the foundations of systems medicine to its practical application in the dental clinic. The content is structured into three main blocks:

  1. Biological Foundations of the Mouth-Body Axis: Study of the ecology, diversity, and functions of the oral and gut microbiome, as well as their complex interactions with the host's immune system and metabolism (metabolic endotoxemia and systemic low-grade chronic inflammation).

  2. Environmental Modulators and Lifestyles: Analysis of the impact of nutrition (pro- and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, and key micronutrients), sleep, circadian rhythms, chronic stress, and physical activity on oral tissue homeostasis. Furthermore, the therapeutic use and clinical evidence of biotics (probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics) will be evaluated.

  3. Clinical Translation and Communication: Development of critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine skills to successfully transfer scientific literature into daily clinical workflows, combined with the mastery of motivational interviewing and brief lifestyle counseling protocols directly from the dental chair.











Teaching and learning activities

In person



The teaching methodology of this course is based on an active, student-centered learning approach, balancing scientific rigor with real-world clinical application. The activities are structured into two main components:

1. In-Person Activities (Directed Learning)

  • Participatory Lectures: Dynamic theoretical sessions covering fundamental biological and clinical concepts. Open debate, real-time problem-solving, and brief clinical case analyses are promoted through interactive questioning.

  • Critical Appraisal Seminars: Practical sessions dedicated to analyzing high-impact scientific papers in microbiomics, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine. Students learn to evaluate study methodologies, commercial biases, and evidence strength.

  • Clinical Communication Workshops: Hands-on workshops and role-playing simulations designed to train students in motivational interviewing, managing patient resistance, and implementing "brief counseling" protocols within the dental environment.

  • Short Team Presentations: Oral presentations where student groups defend the integration of scientific evidence into a simulated clinical case or a cutting-edge topic, followed by an open discussion with the class.

2. Autonomous Work (Independent Learning)

  • Personal Study and Guided Readings: Independent review of course materials, mandatory literature analysis, and targeted reading of the scientific papers assigned for the seminars.

  • Presentation Preparation and Teamwork: Group research, critical appraisal of data, and design of the short presentation for the oral defense sessions.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



Assessment System and Criteria

  • Final Examination (60% of the final grade): A written exam or structured practical test designed to evaluate theoretical knowledge and clinical reasoning skills.

  • Participation and Attendance (20% of the final grade): Assessment of student engagement, active involvement, and contributions during seminars and interactive sessions.

  • Team Presentations (20% of the final grade): Evaluation of the oral delivery, scientific rigor, and collaborative effort of the student group.

  • Prerequisites and Passing Policy: Students must score a minimum of 5.0 out of 10 ( ≥5/10 ) on the final examination to pass the course and calculate the final average grade. A minimum attendance of 80% ( ≥80% ) is recommended for the seminars. Retake exams and remedial assessments will follow the official Faculty regulations.

Course Schedule (Tuesdays, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM)

  • Weeks 1 to 10: Theoretical lectures covering one topic per week (Modules 1 to 10).

  • Weeks 11 to 15: Practical sessions, including 5 seminars and workshops dedicated to critical appraisal, clinical communication, and oral group presentations.

Bibliography and resources

This list compiles the reference bibliography, recommended scientific literature, and digital resources that will support students in their autonomous study, preparation for critical appraisal seminars, case analyses, and reflective assignments.

1. Reference Bibliography and Scientific Articles

  • Sharma, N., Bhatia, S., Sodhi, A. S., & Batra, N. (2018). Oral microbiome and health. AIMS Microbiology, 4(1), 42-66.

    (Key review article for understanding the ecology, composition, and functions of the oral microbiome in health and disease states).

  • Chan, A. K. Y., Tsang, Y. C., Jiang, C. M., Leung, K. C. M., Lo, E. C. M., & Chu, C. H. (2023). Diet, Nutrition, and Oral Health in Older Adults: A Review of the Literature. Diagnostics / Dentistry Journal (Basel), 11(9), 222.

    (Mandatory reading regarding the interconnection between dietary patterns, nutritional status, and oral pathological manifestations).

  • Recent Research Articles and Systematic Reviews: A curated selection of papers published in high-impact international journals (such as Nature Reviews Immunology, Journal of Dental Research, Microbiome, or Periodontology 2000) focusing on the microbiome, nutrition, the mouth-gut-brain axis, and integrative dentistry. These articles will be made available through the Virtual Campus throughout the course for the critical appraisal seminars and presentations.

2. Clinical Guidelines and Consensus Documents

  • American Dental Association (ADA) Clinical Guidelines: Official evidence-based documents and guidelines on dental caries prevention, periodontal disease management, and nutritional recommendations within the dental practice.

  • World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines: Technical reports and global strategies for the prevention of oral diseases, regulation of free sugar intake, and promotion of systemic health through oral wellness.

3. Digital Resources and Websites of Interest

  • PubMed / MEDLINE (NCBI): Essential biomedical literature database for student research and scientific updates.

  • ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics): International reference website to consult consensus documents, definitions, and scientific infographics regarding the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.

  • European Federation of Periodontology (EFP): Access to consensus reports from European Workshops officially linking periodontal disease to systemic conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders).

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