Course overview
This course has been designed to provide students with opportunities to learn aspects of oral and dental anatomy, common dental diseases and their prevention, behavioural science and nutrition. The course introduces students to the oral cavity and provides a foundation for understanding the context of professional practice for oral health therapists, oral health and disease, and patient management. Topics include dental terminology and morphology, cariology and preventive dentistry. In addition to this, students are introduced to the behavioural sciences and developmental psychology relevant to their role in the dental team. By using case-based learning and investigating a range of patient situations, students will have the opportunity to begin to develop skills for patient examination, diagnosis and management.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the healthy oral cavity and the normal appearance of the morphology of teeth, using basic dental terminology, by utilising your developing clinical reasoning skills to analyse a patient's clinical presentation and explain the range of normal variability in the appearance, development and relationships of oral tissues and teeth
- discuss the nature and aetiology of common dental anomalies and diseases, and the approaches used to prevent the common dental diseases (eg caries and gingivitis) at both the individual patient and community level
- discuss theories of behavioural science and lifespan development in the context of oral health, explain factors influencing communication and anxiety, and the principles of behaviour modification, motivational strategies and approaches used to facilitate positive oral health behaviours in patients within their developmental context
- explore the role of nutrition for a variety of age groups, relate this to cultural factors and lifestyle choices, explain why modifications may need to be made and develop recommendations and alternatives for patients to optimise their oral and general health using your developing knowledge of current Australian dietary guidelines
- pro-actively manage your own learning, including self-evaluation, organisation, accessing and evaluating information, seeking advice and assistance, and working collaboratively
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus West
Class number 51126
Section LE01
Size 35
Available 35
Class number 53354
Section TU01
Size 35
Available 35
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