DS1002 - Introduction to Dental Science 2
| Credit points: | 03 |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Student Contribution Band: | Band 3 |
| Administered by: | College of Medicine & Dentistry |
This subject provides an introduction to the basic procedures associated with clinical dental practice. Safe working practices in the dental clinic, infection control, ergonomics and occupational health will be examined. Students will be introduced to taking medical and dental histories, dental and soft-tissue charting, the identification of dental caries and periodontal disease, and treatment planning. The equipment and techniques used for restorative dentistry will be introduced, and there will be a strong emphasis on preventive dentistry, and the various approaches that may be used, including patient risk-assessment. The subject will also provide information on dental development and eruption timing and sequences, and on the morphology and terminology of both the deciduous and permanent dentitions and the dental pulp. The basic pathological processes of infection and inflammation and the role they play in oral disease will be introduced. Students will be introduced to the range of dental materials that are used in the clinic, together with their various physical and chemical properties, and with the factors that influence the choice of a particular material for restorative dentistry. Students will begin to develop the technical and practical skills that are central to being a competent dental practitioner. A strong emphasis will be placed on the value of integrating and synthesising a broad range of information, and then applying that to real-life problem solving situations. From that aspect, this subject will extend some of the material that has been introduced in Anatomy and Physiology, and contextualise its importance in clinical dental practice. In this subject students undertake a one-week observational clinical placement in a private dental practice as an introduction to the clinical environment. Students observe and reflect on four main elements of dental practice: professionalism, infection control procedures, patient and practice management, and clinical procedures.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and describe the anatomy and function of blood vessels, nerves, skin and associated structures of the oral region, including the tongue;
- Demonstrate sound teamwork, ethics, confidentiality and communication principles in relation to other members of the dental team;
- Develop a sound knowledge of oral and dental anatomy by the identification of oral structures including the dentitions and hard and soft tissues;
- Identify and select materials and medicaments to perform basic dental procedures;
- Demonstrate competency in occlusal fissure sealing, preparing cavities and restoring permanent teeth in the simulated environment.
| Prerequisites: | DS1001 |
Availabilities | |
| Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2 | |
| Census Date 25-Aug-2016 | |
| Coordinator: | Professor Alan Nimmo |
| Lecturers: | Dr Michael Xu, Professor Richard Stoll, Dr Ernie Jennings, Dr Kevin Ang, Professor Alan Nimmo. |
| Contact hours: |
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| Assessment: | end of semester exam (% - 50%); other exams (% - 20%); quizzes or tests (% - 15%); assignments (% - 15%). |
| Special Assessment Requirements: | Satisfactory completion of set competency tasks. Students must pass all components of assessment to pass the subject. Students must complete the observational placement in a professional manner in accordance with College of Medicine and Dentistry expectations. |
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.