DS3101 - Introduction to Clinical Dentistry

Credit points:	12
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 3
Administered by:	School of Medicine & Dentistry

This subject is only available to those students enrolled in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Students undertake patient care in the dental clinic within the School and as a clinical placement, including basic prosthodontics with the manufacture of a denture for an edentulous patient. The clinical activity includes taking a detailed medical and dental history and using imaging techniques to assist diagnosis and treatment planning. A thorough understanding of cross infection policies and protocols and basic life support is required, as well as an understanding of patient autonomy and informed consent. This subject includes treatment of patients from different social and cultural backgrounds. Clinical application of topical and local anaesthesia and therapeutics is taught, and dental procedures carried out involving routine restorations and extraction of teeth. Scaling and polishing is undertaken and topical preventive applications and advice provided in the context of understanding the advantages and limitations of the role of preventive dentistry in oral health education and oral health promotion.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply appropriate diagnostic processes and procedures to patients;
• Perform an expanding range of dental treatment under supervision;
• Demonstrate competency in resuscitation and life support;
• Develop skills in patient communication and oral health promotion and prevention strategies;
• Develop and evidence-based approach to dental practice by integrating research and ethical concepts.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to work with people of different gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion and political persuasion;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies.

Prerequisites:

DS 2001 AND DS2002 AND DS2003 AND DS2004 AND RH2002

Availabilities
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coordinator:	Professor Andrew Sandham
Contact hours:	56 hours lectures 28 hours workshops/Seminars - Integrative and synthesising sessions 84 hours - COALS (Clinically orientated active learning sessions) 210 hours clinical placement
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); other exams (20%); quizzes or tests (15%); assignments (25%).
Special Assessment Requirements:	Satisfactory completion of set competency tasks. Students must pass all components of assessment to pass the subject.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.