Principles of Dental Practice 1 (DENT90118)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 31.25On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Year Long (Extended) |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject covers the principles of general practice as well as specialty areas of periodontology, prosthodontics, endodontics, paediatric dentistry and orthodontics.
Topics include local analgesia, treatment planning, cariology, dental materials, periodontal management and the oral rehabilitation of hard tissues and missing teeth, including the concept of the life cycle of a restoration, longevity of restorations and advanced management options.
The basic principles of root canal treatment of teeth will be covered in the Endodontic component. Prosthodontics will include removable (denture) and fixed (crown and bridge) components. Paediatric dentistry and orthodontic components will cover concepts of growth and development in diagnosis, planning and management; as well as topics specific to management of the young patient.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- understand the importance of diagnosis, treatment planning and accurate record taking in total patient care;
- understand the importance of the maintenance of oral health on the completion of a course of planned dental treatment;
- apply the concepts of total patient care and understanding the dentist's responsibility for the safe and effective management of persons in the dental situation;
- apply the principles involved in protecting oral tissues against diseases and the maintenance of oral functional integrity;
- discuss the philosophy underpinning the prevention and treatment of oral diseases;
- understand the fundamentals of the processes of dental caries and periodontal diseases;
- understanding the process of caries management by risk assessment;
- understand the sequelae of the loss of all or part of the dentition, and complete and partial denture therapy;
- demonstrate a patient-centred approach to paediatric dental patient care;
- demonstrate responsibility and safety in the dental management of young persons under their care;
- achieve effective communication with young persons in the dental situation;
- understand the importance of prevention, identification, assessment and treatment of oral diseases, as opposed to the episodic management of symptomatic oral problems in paediatric dental care;
- produce accurate examination and accurate records, diagnoses and treatment plan prior to commencement of care of the young person;
- achieve accurate production, interpretation and critique of intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs of the young patient;
- demonstrate appreciation of the value of maintenance of oral health after treatment of child and adolescents including those with advanced or complicated problems;
- appreciate the need for specialist referral for those young patients who cannot be successfully managed in general practice and have the knowledge to make appropriate referrals based on a clinical assessment;
- manage the behavioural aspects of young patients in the dental setting;
- understand the relevance of growth assessment in the clinical setting and be able to apply common terminologies related to dentofacial growth and development in orthodontics;
- appreciate that disruption to this orderly process can lead to disorders of the dentofacial region and orthodontic problems;
- identify various orthodontic problems and understand their prevalence and aetiology;
- describe how to perform a comprehensive orthodontic assessment and understand the indications for treatment;
- identify developing teeth and anomalies radiographically and perform a basic cephalometric analysis;
- to list diagnostic factors, specifying particular problems for individual patients, and providing possible solutions in a priortised overall patient treatment plan in orthodontics;
- discuss the principles of treatment of various malocclusions including the common interceptive, orthodontic and maxillofacial procedures involved;
- describe the basic scope and limitations of common orthodontic treatments to enable discussion and explanation of treatment with patients and parents;
- evaluate and critically appraise clinical research evidence as it relates to longevity of dental restorations;
- demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to the risks and hazards of using instrumentation in the confined space of the oral cavity;
- make evidence based decisions on when to replace missing teeth in a partially edentulous person (including knowledge of the shortened dental arch concept);
- comprehend the relevance of collection of information (history and examination) from partially edentulous patients;
- comprehend appraisal of the patient requiring removable partial dentures;
- comprehend basic principles of fixed prosthodontics;
- recognise basic endodontic instruments;
- identify pulp chambers and canals using knowledge of pulpal anatomy and radiographic interpretation;
- recognise canal systems with extreme curvatures, calcifications and other complicating anatomical features;
- understand the modes of rotary NiTi file fracture;
- summarise the terminology and nomenclature of endodontics and fixed prosthodontics essential for basic dental science;
- comprehend appraisal of the patient requiring fixed prosthodontics for the replacement of missing teeth and/or endodontic treatment;
- discuss and review clinical and laboratory steps involved in construction of different fixed prostheses;
- discuss CAD/CAM dentistry and its relevance to current fixed prosthodontics.
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 organizational 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 professional communication.
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Successful completion of all first year DDS subjects.
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: 8 November 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
2 x 30 minute computer-based assessment in periodontology, general practice, treatment planning and removable prosthodontics; 7.5% each
| To be held in March and July | 15% |
1 x written exam on pre-clinical conservative dentistry and removable prosthodontics (including dental materials), local analgesia and cariology
| Mid-year | 25% |
1 x computer-based short-answer test on paediatric dentistry and orthodontics
| To be held in September | 10% |
1 x written examination on paediatric dentistry and orthodontics
| End of the teaching period | 20% |
1 x written paper on fixed prosthodontics and endodontics
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
1 x written paper on periodontology and treatment planning (including removable prosthodontics)
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
| Hurdle requirement: 75% attendance at Lectures; 100% attendance at Seminars/Tutorials, Practical Classes (including Laboratory Sessions), Pre-Clinical Sessions, and Clinical & Case Simulations/Discussions | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Dates & times
- Year Long (Extended)
Principal coordinator Jaafar Abduo Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 385 hours Pre teaching start date 22 January 2024 Pre teaching requirements Attend Orientation activities. Teaching period 24 January 2024 to 25 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 February 2024 Census date 31 May 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024
Time commitment details
250 contact hours (indicative), 135 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.
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Further information
- Texts
Last updated: 8 November 2024