DS2005 - Pathophysiology and Therapeutics for Dentistry
| Credit points: | 06 |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Student Contribution Band: | Band 3 |
| Administered by: | College of Medicine & Dentistry |
This subject examines the pathological basis of oral disease, the oral signs of systemic disease, and the pharmacological management of the dental patient. In addition, it also examines the significant relationship between oral and systemic health, and the need for a holistic approach to managing the dental patient. The subject also lays the foundations for managing the special needs dental patient. The subject reviews the main systemic conditions that impact on oral health, such as diabetes, and examines the pathophysiological basis for that relationship. There is also a focus on how poor oral health can be a significant risk factor in the development of systemic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. The main medications used to manage systemic conditions are examined, and the potential for some commonly prescribed medications, such as those for asthma and depression, to negatively impact on oral health is addressed. The module also introduces the students to the dentist as a prescriber, and addresses the key issues associated with drug prescribing, and dental prescription writing. There is a focus on the pharmacological basis of therapeutics, particularly the aspects of clinical pharmacology pertinent to dental practice. There is a major focus on analgesia, local and general anaesthesia, antibiotic therapy and anxiolytic agents. In particular, the potential for drug-drug interactions, and how drugs prescribed for other conditions may impact on the management of the dental patient, is addressed. The module also includes a basic overview of pharmacokinetics, and toxicological issues that are pertinent to dental practice. Students will be introduced to dental radiography.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the pathophysiological basis of oral disease, as well as how systemic disorders may impact on oral health;
- Understand how oral disease, in particular infectious and inflammatory disorders, can impact on systemic health;
- Describe the pharmacological actions of drugs commonly encountered in dental care, and discuss the potential for unwanted effects and drug-drug interactions with these agents;
- Understand the principles and anatomical considerations for the administration of local anaesthesia in clinical dental practice;
- Apply knowledge of a patient's medical condition to determine the type of dental treatment that will be provided;
- Apply an understanding of the basic concepts in dental radiography.
| Prerequisites: | BM1071 AND BM1072 AND DS1001 AND DS1002 AND CH1010 AND CH1013 |
| Corequisites: | DS2004 |
Availabilities | |
| Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2 | |
| Census Date 25-Aug-2016 | |
| Coordinator: | Professor Alan Nimmo |
| Lecturers: | Assoc. Professor Ian Heslop, Mr Joe Grasso, Dr Ernie Jennings, jc236716, Dr Anura Ariyawardana, Professor Alan Nimmo. |
| Contact hours: |
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| Assessment: | end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (30%); assignments (20%). |
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.