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Foundations of Dental Practice (DENT90113)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 37.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Year Long (Extended) |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This is a broad introductory subject to dentistry which aims to provide students with the background, knowledge and general skills required to commence clinical patient care. The subject will consist of the following components: current issues in health care; population oral health; law and ethics; behavioural science; communication skills; dental materials; radiography and radiology; introduction to history, examination, diagnosis and treatment planning; restorative dentistry; infection control and safety in clinical settings; and removable prosthodontics.
Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of biomaterials and biomechanics related to dentistry, the broad groupings of materials applied to clinical practice and methods used for testing materials. They will also be introduced to dental radiology; dental radiographic techniques and interpretation of radiographs.
Student learning will include patient centred oral health care practice. They will be introduced to the concept and evidence of minimal intervention dentistry and how it relates to non-surgical management and surgical treatment of dental caries and restoration of teeth. Students will gain knowledge of dental materials commonly used for direct restorative procedures.
Students will develop knowledge and skills regarding clinical dental practice. The clinical procedures of history taking, clinical examination, diagnosis and provision of simple treatment plans will be introduced and students will gain knowledge of dental record keeping requirements. Students will gain knowledge of their responsibilities under the law to provide a safe environment for their patients, staff and themselves together with knowledge of the current published standards of practice. Students will also gain knowledge of infection control strategies, practice protocols and documentation required to provide a safe clinical environment. Clinical sessions will allow students to practise and reinforce the skills in safe work practices and infection control procedures while practising the clinical skills of history taking, clinical examination, plaque index, prophylaxis and application of topical fluoride. During these clinical sessions, students will develop skills in ergonomic work practices in a clinical environment.
Students will cover the changes of orofacial structures that occur after tooth loss and how these affect oral health and function. Students will also learn the construction of complete dentures through a series of interactive lectures, videos and laboratory practical sessions. Students will learn the processes and materials needed for impression taking and construction of a special impression tray, mounting dentate maxillary and mandibular casts on dental articulators which are used for construction of indirect prostheses and for analysis of diagnostic casts during treatment planning, and will acquire skills in construction of occlusal splints.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, the student should be able to
- discuss the range of oral health care needs of individuals and groups within the community and the diversity of the methods needed to provide them;
- comprehend the range of patients' socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds, together with variations in community health;
- analyse the importance of inter-professional team relationships in the provision of oral health care and be able to relate to the "patient centred" health care model;
- comprehend the dynamics of the patient/health professional relationship and the implications of behaviour in the delivery of dental care;
- identify the common clinical activities undertaken by oral health care providers and the risks and hazards to the oral health care worker;
- comprehend the biological, behavioural and ethical principles during the delivery of clinical dental services;
- demonstrate skills required for communication, counselling and patient management;
- apply epidemiological principles to solve dental public health problems.
- analyse the broad groupings of dental biomaterials;
- analyse the biomechanical function of restorative materials and how these materials can replace tooth tissue;
- analyse the methods used for the development, testing and evaluation of dental materials;
- analyse the risks and hazards associated with the use of dental materials and the use of various forms of dental instrumentation;
- analyse the appropriate range, use and selection of materials for the treatment of initial/early dental caries;
- analyse the appropriate management of initial/early dental caries by either therapeutic treatment or surgical excision of diseased tissue;
- link progression of dental caries and comprehend the decision process of when it is necessary to surgically treat caries lesions and restore teeth;
- evaluate and critically appraise clinical research evidence as it relates to longevity of dental restorations;
- comprehend the importance of research outcomes and evidence to the decision making process for the correct restoration of teeth.
- discuss the properties and uses of dental materials for conservation and restoration of carious and non-carious lesions;
- demonstrate skills selecting appropriate materials and making impressions (maxillary and mandibular) on manikins and construction of special trays;
- demonstrate skills application of concepts of minimal intervention to clinical dental practice.
- understand the principles of x-ray production and their application to radiation safety
- accurately produce radiographs and other non-invasively produced images of the jaws, facial skeleton and temporo-mandibular joint, on manikins;
- interpret and critique radiographic images of the jaws, facial skeleton and temporo-mandibular joint;
- analyse implications of tooth loss;
- comprehend appraisal of the patient requiring removable complete dentures;
- discuss and review clinical and laboratory steps involved in construction of complete dentures;
- develop laboratory technical skills in construction of complete dentures;
- comprehend their legal and ethical responsibilities as dental practitioners to provide a safe environment for their patients and members of the dental team;
- comprehend the principles of infection control and standard and transmission-based precautions;
- comprehend the processes of accurate history taking, clinical examination, diagnosis, treatment planning and record-keeping in the provision of patient care;
- analyse the processes of oral diagnosis and treatment planning;
- demonstrate skills in working safely and applying infection control procedures in a clinical environment;
- demonstrate knowledge of protocols to be followed in the event of an injury to the patient or staff member during a clinical procedure;
- Demonstrate skills in history taking and record-keeping in the provision of patient care;
- demonstrate skills in time management and ergonomic work practices in the clinical environment.
Generic skills
- Be able to access new knowledge from different sources, analyse and interpret it in a critical manner;
- Develop skills in effective communication with teaching staff and peers;
- Develop effective organisational skills and time management;
- Develop skills in team work and develop skills of workplace safety;
- Be able to identify and address their own learning needs;
- Develop skills in observational and analytical techniques used in laboratories;
- Be able to measure and record data;
- Be able to handle and dispose of chemicals and other laboratory materials safely following proper protocol;
- Develop skills in professional communication.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
A candidate for the Melbourne DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY must have abilities and skills in the following five categories:
• observation;
• communication;
• motor;
• conceptual, integrative, and quantitative;
• behavioural and social.
I. Observation:
Practical Classes
The student must be able to observe mandatory demonstrations and experiments in the designated subjects.
Clinical Work
The student must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision, hearing and somatic sensation. It is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell.
II. Communication:
Practical Classes
The student must be able to hear and comprehend instructions in laboratories and practical sessions and be able to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of the principles and practices of the subject during assessment tasks.
Clinical Work
A student must be able to hear, to speak, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture and perceive nonverbal communications. A student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients in both oral and written modalities. The student must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in both oral and written modes with all members of the health care team, including using telephones and computers.
III. Motor:
Practical Classes
A student must be able to undertake the motor requirements for any mandatory practical sessions. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
Clinical Work
Students should have good motor function to elicit information from patients by physical examination; for example palpation, percussion, and other diagnostic manoeuvres. Students should possess sufficient manual dexterity to be able to perform procedures required as a dental practitioner. The student should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general dental care and emergency treatment to patients. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, hand eye coordination and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities:
Practical Classes
The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate this ability in practical sessions. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities.
Clinical Work
The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish oral health care plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities.
V. Behavioural and Social Attributes:
Practical Classes
A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all required tasks, and display professional behaviour at all times.
Clinical Work
A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. A student must display professional behaviour at all times and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and colleagues.
It is a requirement of the course that students will be expected to physically examine their peers (of all genders) in teaching settings and patients (of all genders) in clinics.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details can be found at the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
The Melbourne Dental School policy outlining requirements in relation to student disability for entry to and progression within the DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY are outlined below.
Melbourne Dental School Policy in Relation to Students with Disabilities
The curriculum of the DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY has been developed using 64 graduate attribute statements in six domains (professionalism, scientific knowledge, patient care, dental profession, systems of health care and the society). Students entering the Melbourne DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY must therefore have the aptitude to achieve these attributes during the course in readiness for progression to independent practice.
The Melbourne Dental School welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study. Appropriate adjustments will be made to enhance the participation of students with a disability in the dental course. A prospective student with a disability is advised to discuss with Student Equity and Disability Support any issues related to his or her ability to successfully meet all the course and subsequent registration requirements.
All students of the DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY must possess the intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence at graduation required by the faculty and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation agency.
A student with a disability may be asked to provide independent medical or other clinical assessments of the disability and its possible impact on the ability of the student to successfully complete the course, before being accepted into the course. This statement would be treated in confidence with only those on the admissions committee and the Student Equity and Disability Support having access to the document.
Deliberate misinformation about the student’s ability to successfully complete the course will be regarded as unprofessional practice and treated as such.
While the Melbourne Dental School will make reasonable adjustments to minimise the impact of a disability, all students must be able to participate in the program in an independent manner. It is not reasonable for students to use an intermediary as an adjustment to compensate for a disability impacting on any of the five categories. In the clinical environment there is a primary duty of care to the patients and the needs of students cannot compromise this. It is expected that all students will be able to participate fully in all classroom based learning activities and to successfully fulfil the self-study requirements of the course. The presence of a disability will not automatically entitle the student to preferential treatment in clinical place allocation.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
1 x assignment on Current Issues in Health Care
| October | 5% |
1 x assignment on Population Oral Health
| July | 5% |
1 x on-line assignment in communication skills
| To be completed by May | 5% |
4 MCQ tests related to dental materials CALs
| Completed by mid-year | 5% |
Submission of 4 written assignments from Dental Materials practical work
| Completed by mid-year | 5% |
Radiology practical log books | Throughout the teaching period | 5% |
Continuing assessment on removable prosthodontics laboratory sessions | Throughout the teaching period | 5% |
1 x practical examination on Infection Control in the clinic before entering clinical practice
| September | 5% |
1 x class test on Infection Control before entering clinical practice
| September | 10% |
Assessment of clinical practice | Throughout the teaching period | 5% |
1 x written exam on Population Oral Health, Current Issues in Health Care and Communication Skills, Law and Ethics in Dentistry and Behavioural Science
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
1 x written examination on Radiography and Radiology; Infection Control; and Patient Assessment and Management
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
1 x written exam on Dental Materials, Conservative Dentistry, and Removable Prosthodontics
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory standard in Professional Behaviour | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 75% attendance at Lectures; 100% attendance at Seminars/Tutorials (including Computer Assisted Learning [CAL]) and Practical Classes (including Computer Assisted Learning [CAL] & Laboratory Sessions) | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Year Long (Extended)
Principal coordinator Andre Priede Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 515 hours Teaching period 30 January 2023 to 3 November 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 February 2023 Census date 31 May 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023
Time commitment details
275 contact hours (indicative), 240 non-contact hours (indicative)
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024