Course overview
This course aims to build upon Clinical Practice I with regard to the consolidation of preventive, periodontal and restorative clinical skills, through manikin exercises and provision of treatment for selected patients. Strong emphasis is placed on the ability to consistently apply quality assurance principles and processes in oral health practice.
Topics include prevention, dental hygiene theory, operative dentistry (theory & practical), pedodontics, and clinical.
Course learning outcomes
- Practice within legislative parameters for oral health professionals and apply this knowledge in practice
- Abide by the principles of health care ethics and demonstrate these principles in the delivery of clinical services
- Apply the principles and techniques of quality assured examination and diagnostic processes including clinical photography, applied intra-oral radiography and personalized dental care concepts to customising patient care and treatment plans
- Describe the physical and psychological behaviour management theories and apply communication strategies supportive of these theories to enhance acceptance of dental treatment
- Explain effective attributes of successful change management and apply this information to foster patient behaviour that is favourable to dental health
- Explain the range of preventive procedures within a defined scope of practice and apply this knowledge in the clinical setting by targeting and performing preventive procedures on patients
- Explain the interrelating principles of cavity preparation, material selection and placement, pulp therapy and the use of liners for the deciduous and permanent dentition and apply this knowledge to operative techniques scenarios in the laboratory and simple treatments with patients
- Compare and contrast glass ionomer cement and resin based fissure seal materials and techniques, including appropriate tooth selection and surface preparation, and apply this knowledge when managing the pits and fissures of patients
- Compare and contrast the pharmaceutical properties of the three main types of local anaesthetic agents used by dental therapists and hygienists, apply this knowledge to potential complications (local and systemic), utilise appropriate preventative strategies and select the appropriate technique for each clinical procedure requiring a local anaesthetic
- Recognise and describe the anatomical, histological and physiological features of the oral tissues (including hard and soft tissue, bones, muscles, nerves and blood supplies) and apply this knowledge to deliver safe and effective inferior alveolar block, periosteal infiltration and interpapillary injections
- Recognise radiographically, clinically and histologically the normal and abnormal cellular, fibre and molecular components of the periodontal ligament, and apply this knowledge to describe and identify features of initial, early and moderate periodontal lesions, and the associated therapeutic and prognostic implications
- Apply the knowledge of periodontal pathogenesis to the clinical implications of biofilm, calculus, modifying factors, trauma, systemic and local risk factors
- Provide dental hygiene care and prevention for patients presenting with simple to moderate periodontal, hard and soft tissue diseases and conditions
- Practice in a culturally competent manner with a diverse range of individuals and community groups
- Implement brief intervention strategies within an oral and general health context.