Diseases and Dentistry (DENT90112)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 31.25On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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This is a highly integrated subject that brings together advanced concepts in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, anatomy, behavioural science and clinical practice that are relevant to the understanding of oral and general health and disease.

Students will learn about tooth structure and salivary composition down to the molecular level in both health and disease. This subject will assist students in developing knowledge regarding the common oral diseases that are caused by bacteria that are part of dental plaque, especially periodontitis and dental caries (decay). The students will learn about these diseases at the community, individual, cellular and molecular level. 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. They will participate in problem-based and computer-based learning exercises that will enable them to: understand the pathogenic nature of some bacteria and the host immune response to both commensal and pathogenic bacteria; and to make treatment decisions and prepare them for dental clinical practice. Students will gain knowledge of common oral preventive procedures such as manual plaque control and use of preventive agents such as toothpastes and topical fluorides. In addition, the mechanisms of antimicrobial and antiplaque agents will be addressed.

They will also learn about the links between oral and systemic health as well as systemic health and disease more generally. Components will include: general pathology for dental practice; therapeutics for dental practice; principles of medicine in dental practice.

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • discuss the concepts of biomineralisation in relation to the oral cavity;
  • summarize 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 diseases of the hard tissues in terms of disturbances of structure and function.
  • be able to collect, analyse, interpret and present oral health data; 
  • be able to discuss the means of prevention and control of infectious oral diseases at the individual and community level;
  • apply the knowledge gained to diagnose plaque-related oral diseases;
  • demonstrate knowledge of diagnosis of plaque-related oral diseases (caries and periodontal diseases) using specialist diagnostic procedures and technology;
  • comprehend the concepts of immunology relevant to plaque-related oral diseases;
  • understand the principles of medicine as it relates to dentistry, with particular emphasis on haematological disorders and cardiovascular diseases, liver and renal diseases, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, stroke and epilepsy, rheumatology, diseases of the endocrine system, paediatric medicine and metabolic disorders;
  • comprehend the importance of therapeutics in dental practice. In particular, students should have an in-depth understanding of: drug classification systems, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse drug reactions, drug therapy of pain, anticoagulants, antimicrobials; immunosuppressants and local anaesthetics;
  • understand surgical principles and practice including surgical protocols, preoperative procedures, basic surgical techniques, as well as the principles of trauma surgery;
  • understand principles and develop skills of diagnostic pathology including types of diagnostic tests available, disorders of growth and differentiation, acquired disorders of differentiation and growth, cell injury, inflammation, metabolic disorders, inherited and acquired disorders, immunopathology and neoplasia as these relate to dentistry.

Generic skills

  • Be able to access new knowledge from different sources, analyse and interpret it in a critical manner;
  • Have developed skills in effective communication with teaching staff and peers;
  • Have developed effective organisational and time management skills;
  • Be able to identify and address their own learning needs;
  • Understand the need for precision, accuracy and self-evaluation;
  • Develop skills in analysing and evaluating experimental and clinical data;
  • Develop skills in team work and develop skills of workplace safety;

Last updated: 31 January 2024