NJ NASW Approved

Explains the concept of the gut-brain axis, and its implications for health and disease. Describes how microbes and their metabolites communicate with the body and the brain. Explains how the microbiome-gut-brain axis influences the development of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Describes how microbial metabolites regulate immune and metabolic pathways in the body, and how this may impact risk of allergies, autoimmune diseases, obesity and diabetes. Explains how the ecology of the oral microbiome impacts both gut and systemic health; discusses implications for modern-day oral healthcare. Lists potential microbial and gut health disruptors, as well as therapeutic strategies to improve gut and brain health (to become “ecosystem engineers”). Describes ways in which the highly complex gut-brain scientific research has been oversold and misinterpreted by the lay press. Identifies red flags of “pseudoscience” to become a healthy skeptic. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes.

Identifies metabolism and physiology of lipids and carbohydrates in health and disease as well as in the aged individual. Lists the approaches to a patient suffering from metabolic disease from the nursing, pharmacological, psychological, and physical therapy standpoints. Compares and contrast appetite suppressants and other medications that induce weight loss. Discusses the recent discoveries in neurochemistry and neuroscience of the link between behavioral pathology and metabolic disease. Compares and contrast the healthy and the potentially dangerous weight loss strategies and long-term effects of fad diets. Describes the oral health implications of metabolic disease as well as eating disorders. Describes the empiric developments in bariatric treatments, their implications for nursing practice, and behavioral therapies. Lists sources of benecial lipids and carbohydrates and methods of improvement of palatability of the healthier foods. Identifies the role of the oral microbiome, periodontal disease, and S. mutans in appetite pathology, binge eating and obesity.

Identifies metabolism and physiology of lipids and carbohydrates in health and disease as well as in the aged individual. Lists the approaches to a patient suffering from metabolic disease from the nursing, pharmacological, psychological, and physical therapy standpoints. Compares and contrast appetite suppressants and other medications that induce weight loss. Discusses the recent discoveries in neurochemistry and neuroscience of the link between behavioral pathology and metabolic disease. Compares and contrast the healthy and the potentially dangerous weight loss strategies and long-term effects of fad diets. Describes the oral health implications of metabolic disease as well as eating disorders. Describes the empiric developments in bariatric treatments, their implications for nursing practice, and behavioral therapies. Lists sources of benecial lipids and carbohydrates and methods of improvement of palatability of the healthier foods. Identifies the role of the oral microbiome, periodontal disease, and S. mutans in appetite pathology, binge eating and obesity.

Describes the stages, cycling, and circadian rhythms of sleep. Cites evidence connecting sleep deprivation and sleep disorders to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia. Lists the major sleep medications with their uses and adverse effects. Describes the connection between dental pain and sleep disruption. Cites the diagnostic criteria, symptoms, course, and treatment for the major sleep disorders. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Describes the stages, cycling, and circadian rhythms of sleep. Cites evidence connecting sleep deprivation and sleep disorders to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia. Lists the major sleep medications with their uses and adverse effects. Describes the connection between dental pain and sleep disruption. Cites the diagnostic criteria, symptoms, course, and treatment for the major sleep disorders. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Describes the main brain functions that contribute to addictive behavior. Explains the major ways that addiction changes the brains of addicts. Describes how drugs mimic and alter neurotransmitters which provoke the psychological effects of addiction. Explains the difference between drug dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Describes the clinical consequences of addiction to food, opioids, street drugs, and alcohol. Lists and compare the major treatment options for legal and illegal drug addictions. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.

Describes the main brain functions that contribute to addictive behavior. Explains the major ways that addiction changes the brains of addicts. Describes how drugs mimic and alter neurotransmitters which provoke the psychological effects of addiction. Explains the difference between drug dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Describes the clinical consequences of addiction to food, opioids, street drugs, and alcohol. Lists and compare the major treatment options for legal and illegal drug addictions. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.

Describes how the biopsychosocial model of health and how disease impacts aging, health, life span, and longevity. Explains the dfferences between normal aging and age-related disease and their effects on life span and longevity, including periodontal disease. Describes the effects of genetics, epigenetics, and the environment on aging. Describes how the body and brain age at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels. Explains the causes of recent increases in life expectancy in the world and the United States. Describes the “super-ager” centenarians who have the longest and healthiest lives among all people. Lists the ten bio-psycho-social behavioral choices that everyone can do to extend health and life spans. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.