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Special Needs Dentistry 2 (DENT90106)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 75On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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January
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This subject provides the basis for the study of orthodontics, the specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions, which may be a result of tooth irregularity and/or disproportionate jaw relationships.

Learning is achieved through a series of weekly seminars as well as clinical placements. The subject introduces a student to all aspects of orthodontic treatment and inter-disciplinary management of patients. Clinical training commences at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and the Melbourne Dental Clinic under the guidance of experienced orthodontists. A student will begin to participate in regular meetings and interdisciplinary clinical sessions with members of the surgical teams at RMH. Other interdisciplinary meetings within the Dental School are regularly scheduled.

Each student is allocated roughly 50 new cases at the commencement of the course, including orthognathic surgery patients. At the end of the year, each student also receives transfer cases. Students treat a variety of cases with different malocclusion types and of different ages.

All students attend weekly diagnosis and treatment planning sessions of student and unseen cases to foster collegiate interaction and friendly debate on treatment options.

The theoretical teaching covers a broad range of topics scheduled on cyclical rotation over the three years of the course and based on a review of the research literature. Students from all three years of the course attend all seminars. Students are assigned seminar topics on a roster at the beginning of the year and are required to research and present these topics to the class.

DDS Teaching Requirement
All students are required to conduct seminars for the Doctor of Dental Surgery students of roughly 24 hours annually. This is undertaken in the second half of each year.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students will have:

  • Demonstrate capacity to articulate knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations related to SND and be maintaining a comprehensive collection of reading materials as they pertain to the relevant seminar topics
  • Develop skills in case presentation as it relates to more complex SND case scenarios and in addition continue to develop an appreciation for the complexities of SND
  • Intermediate understanding of the basis of Special Needs Dentistry including gerodontics and related medical issues with aging, disease and health, developmental disabilities, neurodegenerative disorders, management of endocrine diseases, transplant medicine and dentistry as well as palliative dental care
  • Developing a greater understanding of the complexities of managing patients with a range social and medical issues impacted by their special needs (including the role of the ICF and ICD models for care)
  • Continue to develop a clear understanding of the link between general health and oral health and feel comfortable when confronted with complex special needs patients in a range of clinical, aged care and home settings
  • Students will be continuing to develop a sound knowledge of ethical and consent issues pertaining to this patient cohort including when patients are unable to consent for themselves and the role of groups such as the Office of the Public Advocate
  • Understand the role of government and public agencies in the context of special needs and understand the complexities of managing patients in a range of medical, dental and allied health settings.
  • Build an understanding of the use of pharmacological management in the context of SND and be experienced in behaviour management techniques appropriate for use in the special care setting including the use of oral sedation and nitrous oxide
  • Adequate communications skills to deal with patients with cognitive impairment, understanding the role of trans-disciplinary cooperation and its specific relation to special needs and begin to be able to plan an provide high quality oral care to individuals with special needs
  • Commence development of skills in oral health promotion in order to develop, design and implement oral health programs for individuals with special needs.

Last updated: 3 November 2022