Foundations of Dental Practice (DENT90113)

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.