Information Package / Course Catalogue
Health Psychology
Course Code: DHF358
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 1
Prt.: 0
Credit: 1
Lab: 0
ECTS: 1
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to enable dental students to understand psychological aspects of health and illness, recognize patient behaviors, establish effective communication, promote treatment adherence, and manage common psychological conditions encountered in dental practice.

Course Content

This course covers the fundamentals of health psychology, health behaviors, the biopsychosocial model, patient-dentist communication, stress and coping, dental anxiety and fear, psychology of pain, motivational interviewing, behavior change models, treatment adherence, communication with patients with special needs, ethics, and professionalism.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the basic concepts of health psychology.
2.Evaluates the effects of psychological factors on oral health.
3.Demonstrates effective patient-dentist communication.
4.Identifies dental anxiety and applies appropriate management strategies.
5.Applies psychological approaches to improve treatment adherence.
6.Applies ethical and professional principles in dental practice.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.World Health Organization (WHO) reports on oral health and health behaviors.
2.Taylor, S. E. (2018). Health Psychology
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to health psychology and basic concepts
Week 2 - Theoretical
Biopsychosocial model and oral health
Week 3 - Theoretical
Health behaviors and behavior change models
Week 4 - Theoretical
Patient-dentist communication and effective communication skills
Week 5 - Theoretical
Patient-centered care and empathy
Week 6 - Theoretical
Dental anxiety, fear, and phobia
Week 7 - Theoretical
Psychology and perception of pain
Week 8 - Theoretical
Stress, burnout, and coping strategies
Week 9 - Theoretical
Treatment adherence and patient motivation
Week 10 - Theoretical
Motivational interviewing techniques
Week 11 - Theoretical
Communication with children, older adults, and individuals with special needs
Week 12 - Theoretical
Chronic diseases and psychosocial factors
Week 13 - Theoretical
Ethics, professionalism, and psychological aspects of patient rights
Week 14 - Theoretical
Course review, case discussions, and overall evaluation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140114
Quiz1112
Midterm Examination1314
Final Examination1516
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)26
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
OÇ-2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
3
OÇ-3
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
2
1
3
3
3
OÇ-4
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
2
1
2
3
2
OÇ-5
1
2
1
3
3
1
3
2
2
2
3
3
OÇ-6
1
1
1
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026