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Master of Clinical Dentistry (MC-CLIND)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2024 Delivered: On Campus
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Majors, minors and specialisations
Principal Coordinator
Roy Judge
Overview
Award title | Master of Clinical Dentistry |
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Year & campus | 2024 |
CRICOS code | 114365A |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 9 |
Credit points | 100 credit points |
Duration | 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time |
The Master of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Melbourne is a fixed postgraduate degree delivered full time over 12 months or part time over 24 months, designed to provide students with the opportunity to advance their professional knowledge and skills a specialty of clinical dentistry to an advanced level and to engage with new and emerging relevant fields of study. The course is designed to facilitate the advanced development of clinical, academic and research skills.
Students will undertake two subjects in the Master of Clinical Dentistry, an introduction to research methods and advanced clinical studies in one of the specialities available.
Students will undertake clinical training at the facilities in the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RHDM) and Melbourne Dental Clinic (MDC). Clinical performance is assessable, and feedback will be given at mid and end-year.
The research subject will provide students with practical knowledge required to plan a research project and the opportunity undertake a research investigation in an area of clinical interest.
Note: This is a standalone course and does not provide a direct pathway to specialist registration.
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- An undergraduate degree in Dentistry or equivalent degree that qualifies the applicant to register and practice as a Dentist (in their country of origin or residence); and
- Minimum two years of documented relevant clinical work experience (including nomination of three referees) and demonstrated proof of current dental registration (AHPRA or international equivalent); and
- Personal statement (1-2 pages) detailing why they wish to undertake the program; and
- One or more of a test, interview, workshop, or presentation, for the stream to which entry is sought; and
- Referees of shortlisted applicants will be requested to provide a referee report prior to an interview taking place.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Prior academic performance, including additional education or prizes; and
- Professional experience, including additional education or prizes; and
- The personal statement; and
- One or more of a test, interview, workshop, or presentation, for the stream to which entry is sought; and
- The referee reports.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Students must comply with Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345).
For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for the MASTER OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme 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 MASTER OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY are outlined below.
Melbourne Dental School Policy in Relation to Students with Disabilities
Students entering the Melbourne MASTER OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY must therefore have the aptitude to achieve these attributes during the course.
Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, insight into the effects of their own behaviour, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and education processes.
The Melbourne Dental School welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University 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 the staff in the student service centres issues related to his or her ability to successfully meet all the course requirements.
All students of the MASTER OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY 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 School 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 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.
A candidate for the Melbourne MASTER OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY 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 utilisation of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all required tasks.
Clinical Work
A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilisation of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of 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 classroom settings and patients (of all genders) in clinics.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course, graduates should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the basic biological, medical, technical and clinical sciences in order to recognise the difference between normal and pathological conditions relevant to their chosen discipline at a general dental practitioner level
- Exhibit advanced knowledge of the moral and ethical responsibilities involved in the provision of care to individual patients, populations and communities
- Evaluate and synthesise research and professional literature
- Manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work
- Engage with new and emerging fields of study
- Demonstrate advanced capacity to articulate clinical knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations
- Apply contemporary research findings and scientific method in evidence-based dental practice
- Capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work
Generic skills
- work effectively as a member of a team
- have skills in interpersonal understanding, problem-solving, decision-making, program design and implementation, evaluation and advocacy
- demonstrate capacity and motivation for continuing independent learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life
- demonstrate professional skills and attitudes
- exhibit professional responsibility
- demonstrate the ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner
- apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and co-operatively, to current and future problems
- be proficient in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies
- have an awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities
- value diversity in health beliefs, lifestyles, ethnic and cultural background
Graduate attributes
The competencies and qualities of the new MCD graduate have been developed in line with the different dimensions of patient-centred care outlined by the Dental Board of Australia for each specialty outlined here: http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/Registration/Specialist-Registration/Specialist-competencies.aspx.
The goal of the general practitioner dentist with advanced training is to improve the oral health of their patients and the community through appropriate preventive and oral health care, including behavioural and educational components. A MCD graduate has a knowledge, experience and clinical skill set that is at a higher level than that of the general practitioner The MCD graduate is often required to lead the team in the management of their patients’ oral health as it relates to their chosen discipline and integrates knowledge and experience with clinical competency to form a framework of comprehensive oral health care. MCD graduates have a responsibility to advocate for the oral health of the population.
Professionalism
On graduation MCD graduates will have developed:
- the ability to apply reflective practice skills and a recognition of their importance in health care
- empathy, compassion, honesty, integrity, resilience and lifelong curiosity, as well as the ability to demonstrate these and a recognition of their importance in health care
- a critically reflective approach to practise dentistry based on current evidence and experience
- self-awareness, the ability to recognise when clinical problems exceed their knowledge and skill, and a willingness to collaborate and to refer
- the ability to negotiate, give and receive appraisal and criticism constructively
- the ability to identify, quantify and address their own learning needs
- the ability to apply effective time management and organisational skills
- the ability to maintain their own physical, emotional, social and spiritual health, and a recognition of the importance of professional support in this process
- a recognition of their own personal, spiritual, cultural or religious beliefs, and an awareness that these beliefs must not prevent the provision of adequate and appropriate care to the patient
- the ability to apply strategies of stress management to oneself, to patients and to the dental team as appropriate
- a thorough understanding of the ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of dental care to individual patients
- skills to use contemporary information technology for documentation, including patient records, communication, management of information and applications related to health care.
Course structure
The Master of Clinical Dentistry requires the successful completion of a 75 credit point clinical specialisation plus a 25 credit point Research Proposal subject.
Please see the Specialisations page for specialisation information.
Majors, minors & specialisations
Name | Credit Points |
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Prosthodontics | 100 |
Last updated: 9 May 2024