Preclinical Dental Practice 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

75 contact hours (indicative) 16 non-contact hours (indicative)

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment 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 subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

In Block 1 of this subject, students will be introduced to the basic concepts of biomaterials and biomechanics related to dentistry, the broad groupings of materials applied to clinical practice and methods used for testing materials. Students will also learn the processes and materials needed for impression taking and construction of a special impression tray.

Students will also develop initial manual dexterity skills and self-evaluation skills using the Simodont Dental Trainers.

In Block 2, students will be introduced to the concept and evidence of minimal intervention dentistry and how it relates to non-surgical management and surgical treatment of dental caries and restoration of teeth (Conservative Dentistry). Students will gain knowledge of dental materials commonly used for direct restorative procedures and the instrumentation utilised for surgical management of dental caries. They will also engage in pre-clinical laboratory tasks on manikins to develop skills in surgical management of dental caries.

On completion of this subject, the student will:

be competent to analyse:

1. the broad groupings of dental biomaterials;
2. the biomechanical function of restorative materials and how these materials can replace tooth tissue;
3. the methods used for the development, testing and evaluation of dental materials;
4. the risks and hazards associated with the use of dental materials and the use of various forms of dental instrumentation;
5. the appropriate range, use and selection of materials for the treatment of initial/early dental caries;
6. the appropriate management of initial/early dental caries by either therapeutic treatment or surgical excision of diseased tissue.

demonstrate skills in:

1. selecting appropriate materials and making impressions (maxillary and mandibular) on manikins and construction of special trays;
2. the use of dental instruments for surgical management of dental caries;
3. restoring teeth requiring small restorations on manikins;
4. application of concepts of minimal intervention to clinical dental practice.

• 4 MCQ tests related to dental materials CALs of no more than 40 minutes each throughout Block 1 (20%);
• Submission of 4 written assignments of no more than 400 words each from Dental Materials practical work throughout Block 1 (15%);
• 1 x 2 hour practical exam on Conservative Dentistry End of Block 2 (20%);
• 1 x 1 hour written exam on Dental Materials End of Block 2 (Semester 1) (45%).

Hurdle Requirements:

• 75% attendance at Lectures; 100% attendance at Practical Classes (including Computer Assisted Learning [CAL])

Anusavice KJ, 2003 Phillip's Science of Dental Materials 11 th ed, Elsevier (Saunders)

Banerjee A and Watson TF 2011 Pickard’s Manual of Operative Dentistry 9 th ed, Oxford University Press

Schwartz RS, Summitt JB and Robbins JW 2003 Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry: A Contemporary Approach 3 rd ed, Quintessence

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. develop skills in observational and analytical techniques used in laboratories;
6. be able to measure and record data;
7. be able to handle and dispose of chemicals and other laboratory materials safely following proper protocol.