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Plaque Related Diseases 1 (DENT90061)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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January
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This subject will assist students develop knowledge regarding the common oral diseases that are caused by bacteria that are part of dental plaque. This is a highly integrated subject that brings together advanced concepts in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy and clinical practice that are relevant to the understanding of oral health and disease, especially dental caries. Students will learn about tooth structure and salivary composition down to the molecular level in both health and disease. They will learn about the oral microbiome and how these bacteria are related to health and disease and be guided through the clinical steps of diagnosis of dental caries. Students will engage in problem-based learning exercises simulating clinical situations to prepare them for dental clinical practice. They will participate in computer based learning exercises that will enable them to understand the pathogenic nature of some bacteria and the host immune response to both commensural and pathogenic bacteria. In addition the mechanisms of antimicrobial and antiplaque agents will be addressed.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, the students will be able to:



  • discuss the concepts of biomineralisation in relation to the oral cavity;
  • summarise the initiation and progression of dental caries at a molecular, microbiological, visual and clinical level;
  • comprehend the principles of bacterial pathogenesis in oral infection;
  • explain the principles of antimicrobial chemotherapy;
  • apply the principles and characteristics of microbial ecology to the oral cavity in health and disease;
  • justify the application of appropriate preventive and therapeutic regimes for dental caries;
  • interpret the role of research in the development of rational treatments and preventive regimes;
  • evaluate clinical manifestations of plaque related diseaes of the hard tissues in terms of disturbances of structure and function.

Generic skills

Students should:

  1. be able to access new knowledge from different sources, analyse and interpret it in a critical manner;
  2. have developed skills in effective communication with teaching staff and peers;
  3. have developed effective organisational skills and time management;
  4. be able to identify and address their own learning needs;
  5. develop skills in analysing and evaluating experimental and clinical data.

Last updated: 3 November 2022