Course overview
This stream has a patient care focus and builds on the knowledge acquired in first year. The aim is to develop an understanding of the changes that occur to the oral cavity when an imbalance develops in the oral ecosystem. The emphasis will be to maintain a healthy balance through prevention and minimal restoration where necessary.
By working through a series of interactive learning activities, students will develop and integrate knowledge relating to evidence-based patient care including clinical skills and professional behaviours. These integrated learning activities will be supported by class meetings, laboratory, tutorial and clinical sessions. Learning will also be supported by independent study and discussion of findings in class. Students will work in a collaborative environment to learn to critically evaluate themselves, and plan and implement strategies for improvement. The stream emphasises the scientific basis of dentistry by integrating knowledge of the structure and function of the body, especially of the head and neck region, and also aspects of microbiology, immunology and pathology, with an emphasis on developing the skills to examine, assess risk and systematically manage healthy patients with minor oral conditions.
There is a strong emphasis on the acquisition of manual dexterity skills relating to operative dentistry while building on knowledge relating to a preventive approach to oral health. Students will further their experience in behavioural science by examining and managing patients.
Course learning outcomes
- comply with AHPRA, University and SA Dental policies by displaying appropriate professional and ethical behaviour through maintaining Academic Integrity, respecting colleagues, staff, patients and members of the oral health care team, ensuring patient safety, maintaining patient confidentiality, obtaining informed consent whilst maintaining professional boundaries in all learning environments
- apply critical thinking, evidence-based approach, clinical reasoning to inform decisions at all levels of interaction with healthy adult patients by applying the hierarchy of evidence and basic statistical concepts when critically evaluating relevant literature.
- understand the determinants of health, risk factors and behaviours that influence health
- critically reflect and evaluate their own performance, seeking feedback and implementing appropriate strategies for improvement and continuing professional development
- describe different approaches to respond to common occupational stressors and seeks assistance in developing effective management strategies for self and patients.
- establish a safe working environment in laboratory and clinical settings and identify, reports and rectify (as appropriate) unsafe practices.
- provide patient-centred care to support and enable pts to understand and co-manage their oral health needs.
- identify limits of professional and individual clinical skills/scope of practice and recommends referral where appropriate.
- work and communicate effectively and respectfully with peers, staff, patients, carers, members of the public and members of the oral health care team in simulated and clinical setting, and adopt a leadership role when necessary.
- describe the principles of culturally safe and culturally competent practice that recognises the distinct needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- use effective patient-centred communication to competently manage the pain, anxiety, stress and oral care of healthy adult patients through appropriate use of questions, active listening, explanations, empathy, rapport building and feedback.
- obtain patient reason for visit, chief concern and medical history, relevant dental history and social history (using biomedical, biopsychosocial, and illness frameworks).
- perform comprehensive extraoral, intraoral soft, periodontal and hard tissues, perform a simple occlusal analysis including the collection and interpretation of additional clinical information, appropriately recognise the range of normality and record normal findings and clinical signs of common oral diseases for selected healthy adult patients.
- select appropriate tests to identify specific risk factors leading to an imbalance in the oral ecosystem and use results to devise tailored preventive management plans in relation to common oral diseases in medically healthy adult patients.
- Interpret & evaluate gathered data, including selected other investigations to formulate diagnosis.
- explain the principles of identification of risk factors in relation to the development & management of common oral diseases in selected healthy adult patients.
- apply understanding of the oral ecosystem, patient education, behaviour change and remineralisation materials to develop preventive recommendations to restore and maintain oral health for selected healthy adult patients.
- implement appropriate infection control and occupational health and safety procedures required when working within a clinical and simulated clinical environment.
- confirms correct patient, procedure; obtains informed consent, creates/maintains accurate dental clinical records.
- demonstrate effective practice management skills and time management and powers of observation.
- apply knowledge of risks associated with dental radiographs to safely and accurately take bitewing and periapical radiographs in simulated and clinic settings; examine and critique radiographs and recognise the appearance of normal imaged structures and associated basic pathology in bitewing, periapical and panoramic radiographs.
- perform simple preventive treatments, including remineralisation techniques eg professional or home fluorides, fissure sealants, oral hygiene instructions, dietary advice, diagnostic procedures in simulated and/or clinical situations.
- in accordance with Minimal Intervention (MI) principles, explains the principles of tooth conservation and relates these to the rationale for selection of different procedures required for the management of dental caries, toothwear, non-carious tooth loss.
- perform safe and effective simple periodontal debridement and can select an apply appropriately remineralisation techniques as part of preventive management plans for colleagues and healthy adult patients.
- perform safe and effective direct permanent restorations including use of liners/bases and effective moisture control on simulated patient (manikin) including safe administration of common pain control procedures on colleagues.
- apply integrated knowledge of biology, physiology, genetics, anatomy, microbiology, pathology, immunology and behavioural science in the management of patients.
- apply integrated knowledge of dental material science and digital technology to the management of patients.
- recognise and with tutor guidance manage complications of oral procedures.
- recognise and with tutor guidance manage dental and systemic life-threatening procedures including documentation and debriefing.
- write an appropriate referral letter to a dentist or another health professional.