Oral Health Practice 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

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.

This subject comprises four modules.

Dental Materials: Classification of dental materials; polymers, amalgams; resin composites and adhesive materials; gypsum and agar products; glass ionomer and other dental cements; and abrasives.

Preclinical Procedures: Maintenance of dental equipment; safe work practices; operator positions; principles of hand instrumentation; rubber dam principles and application; scaling and root planing; minimal intervention approaches to the management of dental caries; cavity preparation and restoration placement in deciduous and permanent teeth; polishing teeth and restorations; removal of overhangs; impressions and study models; and the clinical application of dental materials.

Clinical procedures: Infection control in dental practice in accordance with the current NH&MRC guidelines; team dentistry; patient history taking and examination; and the provision of preventive dental services.

Oral Radiology: Forms of radiation; biological effects of radiation; radiation safety and protection measures; the dental X-ray machine; X-ray beam and image formation; techniques for producing radiographic images; intra and extra oral radiographs; radiographic film; film handling, processing and storage; digital radiography; indications for dental radiographs; radiographic interpretation; and common errors in radiographic techniques.

On completion of this subject, students should:

• Understand the nature of dental caries and periodontal diseases and appreciate the necessity for a preventive approach to their management in a clinical setting.

Demonstrate skills and knowledge to:

• Identify and record a patient’s oral condition;
• Identify and evaluate dental materials used in the identification, recording, prevention and treatment of dental diseases;
• Use the principles and techniques of conservative dentistry to restore tooth function;
• Select and use appropriate instruments for basic periodontal therapy;
• Effectively manage patients and their families in a clinical setting;
• Manage common medical emergencies that may be encountered in the dental environment; and
• Work safely in the laboratory and clinical settings observing infection control, occupational health and safety and radiation safety guidelines.

1. One 3-hour written examination at the end of Semester 1 (20%);
2. One 3-hour written examination at the end of Semester 2 (20%);
3. Continuing assessment of preclinical procedures performed throughout the year, one practical test at the end of Semester 1 of no longer than 90 minutes and one practical test at the end of Semester 2 of no longer than three hours* (25%);
4. A practical test of no more than 30 minutes and practical folio# to be submitted at the end of Semester 2 (10%); and
5. Continuing assessment of clinical procedures performed throughout the year, practical assessment of Infection Control at the end of Semester 1 and a clinical exam at the end of Semester 2 (25%). Satisfactory performance in the Infection Control assessment is required to proceed to clinical practice.

*The procedures set for this examination are normally completed in less time than the three hours allocated.

#This portfolio is a full mouth (intra oral) radiographic survey of at least 20 films, accompanied by a written critique of their radiographic technique. This critique is required to be of no more than one A4 page and is usually presented in a tabulated format by students.

A pass in each of Sections 3 and 5 is required for an overall pass in this subject.

• A Handbook of Paediatric Dentistry Cameron A and R Widmer R (eds), Mosby, 2003, 2nd ed
• A Handbook for Dental Hygienists Collins WJN and Walsh TF, Oxford University Press, 1999, 4th ed
• Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice Darby ML and Walsh MM, Saunders, 2010, 3rd ed
• Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques Haring JI and Jansen L, Saunders, 2000, 2nd ed
• Essentials of Dental Caries Kidd EAM and Joyston-Bechal S, Oxford University Press, 1997, 2nd ed
• Pickard's Manual of Operative Dentistry Kidd EAM, Smith BGN and Pickard HM, Oxford University Press, 1990, 6th ed
• Preservation and Restoration of Tooth Structure Mount GJ and Hume WR, Mosby, 1998
• Infection Control in the Health Care Setting National Health and Medical Research Council, NH&MRC, 1996
• Periodontal Instrumentation Pattison AM and Pattison GL, Appleton and Lange, 1992, 2nd ed
• Periodontology for the Dental Hygienist Perry DA, Beemsterboer PL and Taggart EJ, Saunders, 1996
• Elements of Dental Materials for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants Phillips RW and Moore BK, Saunders, 1994
• Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry: A Contemporary Approach Summit JB, Robbins JW and Schwartz RS, Quintessence Publishing, 2000
• Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist Wilkins EM, Williams and Wilkins, 2000, 8th ed

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed skills in:

• manual dexterity;
• independent learning;
• communication;
• observation and organisation;
• collection, analysis and presentation;
• time management and planning through class preparation, revision and assignment completion;
• critical evaluation and application of theory to practice;
• reporting evidence;
• effective communication and teamwork;
• self reflection and evaluation.