Course overview
This course aims to prepare the student to understand the medical aspects of clinical dentistry, pharmacology, local anaesthetics and the role of the oral health practitioner in the management of medical and dental emergencies in dental practice. Topics include applied oral microbiology, medicine and pharmacology, pathology, applied oral pathology.
Course learning outcomes
- Apply an understanding of the physical and chemical nature of the oral microflora to explain the formation of dental plaque and calculus and relate these to the development of dental caries and periodontal disease in your patients
- Explain the process of inflammation, healing and repair and relate this to the management of caries, periodontal disease, pulpal infection and other inflammatory conditions of the oral cavity in your patients
- Accurately recognize record and describe deviations from normal appearance and normal function in the oral tissues and present a comprehensive descriptive report to the dentist for verification
- Identify, describe and discuss the implications of a range of medical conditions, including developmental disturbances and systemic diseases, that influence your patients' oral tissues and dental treatment, and recognise, implement and evaluate any necessary precautions and/or modifications that need to be made to oral health therapy treatment within the scope of duties
- Briefly explain actions of administered drugs for related medical conditions that may affect your patient's course of dental treatment, and demonstrate the investigative skills required to determine possible contraindications in consultation with the dentist where required
- Demonstrate the ability to recognise and manage a medical emergency and/or disorder in the dental environment within the role of the oral health therapist
- Briefly describe the aetiology and classification of neoplasias for both systemic and oral tissues, and recognise in your patients related oral manifestations that require referral to the dentist
- Recognise oral manifestations of human infectious diseases and conditions with immunologic pathogenesis and discuss the implications of these on treatment and care plans for your patients