Clinical Dental Practice 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

None.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Teaching Block 3 of this subject will assist students to develop knowledge of safety and infection control issues in a clinical setting. Students will gain knowledge of their responsibilities under the law to provide a safe environment for their patients, staff and themselves together with knowledge of the current published standards of practice. Students will also gain knowledge of infection control strategies, practice protocols and documentation required to provide a safe clinical environment. Practical session will allow students to develop skills in working safely and following infection control procedures in a clinical environment. Students will gain knowledge of common oral preventive procedures such as manual plaque control and use of preventive agents such as toothpastes and topical fluorides. Students will gain knowledge in the interpretation of bitewing radiographs.

Teaching Block 4 will assist students to develop knowledge and skills regarding clinical dental practice and allow students to practise and reinforce knowledge and skills obtained in Block 3. The clinical procedures of history taking, clinical examination, diagnosis and provision of simple treatment plans will be introduced and students will gain knowledge of dental record keeping requirements. Clinical sessions will allow students to practise and reinforce the skills in safe work practices and infection control procedures while practising the clinical skills of history taking, clinical examination, plaque index, prophylaxis and application of topical fluoride. During these clinical sessions, students will develop skills in ergonomic work practices in a clinical environment.

On completion of this subject, the student will:

be competent in:

1. implementing workplace safety in the clinical environment;
2. practising infection control in a clinical environment;
3. summarising the fundamental terminology and nomenclature of oral structures essential for operating in a clinical environment.

be able to analyse:

1. the inter-professional team relationships that exist in the provision of oral care;
2. the importance of accurate history taking, clinical examination, diagnosis, treatment planning and record keeping in the provision of patient care;
3. the processes of oral diagnosis and treatment planning;
4. preventive procedures used in the maintenance of oral health;
5. the need for precision, accuracy and self evaluation in the clinical environment;
6. the principles involved in protecting oral tissues against diseases and the maintenance of oral functional integrity.

1. 1 x 30 minute practical examination on Infection Control in the clinic at the end of Teaching Block 3 (10%);
2. 1 x 20 minute class test on Infection Control and Block 3 seminars at the end of Teaching Block 3 (10%);
3. 1 x 60 minute written exam on Infection Control and History Taking, Examination, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning at the end of Teaching Block 4 (50%);
4. Continuing assessment of clinical practice throughout Teaching Block 4 (30%).

Australian Dental Association 2009 Standards and Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Practice

Stephanac SJ and Nesbit SP 2006 Treatment Planning in Dentistry, 2nd ed

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should:

1. be able to access new knowledge from different sources, analyse and interpret it in a critical manner;
2. develop skills in effective communication with teaching staff and peers;
3. develop effective organisational skills and time management;
4. develop skills in team work;
5. be able to identify and address their own learning needs.