Oral Health Practice 4

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

160 hours Self-directed learning and supported clinical experience hours

Total = 223 hours

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in PC-DENTHRP. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

It is proposed to offer this subject to registered, currently practising dental therapists and oral health therapists in Australia and New Zealand. Previous management of clients aged 18-24 years would be of benefit but not essential.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit:

http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The subject Oral Health Practice 4 encompasses all clinical based learning for the Grad Cert Adult Therapy Scope course at the Melbourne Dental School. It will be conducted as a clinically based component. This subject is taught in close conjunction with subjects Oral Health Sciences 4 & Oral Pathology & Adult Oral Function. Clinical teaching and learning activities will be centered at the Melbourne Dental School and further supplementary learning within community dental clinic settings.

This subject has the following components: Comprehensive adult oral health examinations, management of the older adult, communication skills, medically compromised patients, periodontology, dental materials, prosthodontics, oral medicine and pharmacology, local anaesthesia, dental emergency management and cariology.

Student learning will include: the importance of oral medicine, pharmacological interactions and medically compromised patients on the needs/care of adult patients; the skills required to communicate effectively in the management of this client group; the diagnosis and management of disease patterns and dental emergencies; selection and use of appropriate dental materials; the appreciation of an older occlusion and complications to restorative care.

Students who complete this subject will be able to:

1. Competently assess a patient’s medical history to ascertain possible complications to care and to seek appropriate referral advice when required
2. Undertake a comprehensive examination of adult patients, diagnose disease and identify simple restorative needs and those that require referral to a dentist
3. Identify occlusal conditions that contraindicate dental restoration by a DT/OHT
4. Identify different types of dental prostheses used in dentistry including the indications for each
5. Describe the possible complications for placing restorations adjacent to a fixed or removable prostheses
6. Appreciate the restorative-periodontal interface
7. Describe common endodontic therapies used in permanent teeth and recognize clinical signs of failure that require referral
8. Describe age related changes in teeth and the supporting structures
9. Appreciate the challenges of restoring form and function with multisurface restorations in adult mouths
10. Undertake treatment planning for care considered part of the scope of practice for OHT or DT and consult or refer to a dentist for those elements outside such scope.
11. Demonstrate knowledge and competency in adult clinical dental therapy practice
12. Demonstrate knowledge and competency in adult dental trauma and dental emergencies.
13. Recognize when clinical cases are beyond their skill set and make appropriate referral.

Clinical assessment practical workbook –

Part A - includes continuous written assessment in all clinical sessions and a reflective diary.

Part B - Compromised patients, medical therapeutics, preventive therapeutics and dental materials workbook completion with a maximum of 3500 words.

Timing of Assessment - End of Semester

Assessment % - 30%

Clinical case assignment

Timing of Assessment - Mid Semester

Assessment % - 20%

Attendance at all Computer Assisted Learning and practical/laboratory sessions

Assessment % - Hurdle

1 x 25 minute integrative oral examination to assess entry-to-practice competence (viva voca)

Timing of Assessment - End of Semester

Assessment % - 50%

All class materials will be provided.

n/a

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.