ePortfolio, Master of Health Studies program
Athabasca University
Curated Resources
Each health topic below includes links to resources I have acquired throughout my Master of Health Studies coursework. Click on the title of a health topic below to be taken to my Pearltrees page where each topic has a collection of links and documents.
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My resources for each topic are linked to oral health, my areas of expertise, and often are focused on Nova Scotia, my home province. All of my curated resources have advanced my understanding on these topics and developed a greater understanding of health of Canadians and where I, as a registered dental hygienist, fit in the improvement and maintenance of health of Canadians.
Health Topics
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Inter-professional Connectedness
This topic explores the importance of establishing a professional digital identity. I describe my personal and professional presence on social media, and proper use of a social media as a representative of a health profession. Additional resources can be found for curation health information and collaborating with other health professionals as a part of inter-professional connectedness.
Federal and Provincial Health Systems in Canada
An overview of federal and provincial health systems and the role they play to allocate health spending, set legislation, and determine policies. My resources focus on oral health programs in Nova Scotia.
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Health of Canadians - Understanding Health
Discussion about the contemporary definition of "health" compared to current definitions and concepts. My resources focus on looking at health as a concept that is dynamic.
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A further look into what determines and influences one’s current and future state of health and corresponding health inequities.
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Multilevel Approaches to Understanding Health - Beyond the Individual
This topic analyzes multiple levels of influence on health. I chose the Socio-ecological model to explore how oral health of children is influenced at the intrapersonal, interpersonal and community levels.
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Chronic Disease Prevention & Management
My resources encompass chronic disease conditions that require accommodation in the dental office. I explored the impact of COPD and RA on periodontal health and best practices for management in the dental office. I also created a joint blog post with a fellow MHST 601 student on chronic disease management in Nova Scotia compared to Ontario.
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This topic explores vulnerable populations in our communities and how bias and discrimination impact their ability to obtain comprehensive health care. I explored the state of oral health among First Nations people, immigrants and refugees, and seniors.
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As the world evolves, methods of providing health care must adapt. I chose to explore the future of dental hygiene education, treating people from the LGBTQ++ community with cultural competence, and alternatives to pharmacotherapy in pediatric dentistry.
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