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Medicine and Surgery in Dentistry (DENT90117)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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This subject builds on knowledge gained in the 1st year of the DDS. It has the following components: general pathology, therapeutics, principles of medicine and surgery in dental practice; oral medicine; oral surgery; special needs dentistry; oral pathology; and oral radiology.

Student learning will include: the importance of pathology, medicine, therapeutic and surgical knowledge and principles and techniques in dentistry; oral pathology and the presentation of oral disease and its pathological interpretation, including histopathology; oral radiographic interpretation of pathological processes; the part of surgery that deals with the diagnosis and surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects of human jaws and associated structures; the oral health care of patients with chronic and medically related disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region and their diagnosis and nonsurgical management; the oral health care of people with an intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric condition that requires special methods or techniques to prevent or treat oral health problems or where such conditions necessitate special dental treatment plans.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • 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 rections; 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.
  • Understand the principles of oral infections not associated with the hard tissues of the mouth;
  • Understand the presentation and diagnosis of chronic and recurring oral mucosal ulcers, including recurrent aphthous stomatitis;
  • Understand the diagnosis and management of gingival swelling and pigmented lesions;
  • Understand the oral manifestation of a range of dermatology conditions;
  • Understand the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of oral mucosal malignancy and potentially malignant lesions;
  • Understand aspects of haematology important to oral mucosal conditions;
  • Understand the oral manifestation of important connective tissue disorders;
  • Understand the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic oro-facial pain and temporo-mandibular disorder.
  • Comprehend: the extractions, the surgical removal of teeth, surgical management of third molars, management of medically compromised patients, the surgical management of unerupted teeth, haemorrhage in a dental setting, as well as medical emergencies.
  • Understand the basis of Special Needs Dentistry, gerodontics and related medical issues with aging, cardiovascular disease, developmental disabilities, neurodegenerative disorders, management of endocrine diseases, transplant medicine and dentistry as well as palliative dental care;
  • Understand principles and develop skills of diagnostic oral pathology including types of diagnostic tests available as these relate to dentistry.
  • Interpret: and critique radiographs and other non-invasively produced images of the jaws, facial skeleton and temporo-mandibular joint.

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.

Last updated: 7 August 2024