This module introduces students to a range of practical and theoretical aspects of clinical dentistry which underpins the Clinical Practice and Specialty Teaching module in year 3.
Through lectures, tutorials, small group teaching, laboratory exercises and clinical experience students are given a basic framework identifying professional practice in order to facilitate understanding of clinical skills and patient management. Emphasis is placed on understanding disease processes, their development and prevention. Training is given on how to deal with a range of medical emergencies that may occur in dental practice. Instruction on the theory and practical administration of local anaesthesia is given. A comprehensive clinical-scientific project investigating plaque induced inflammation forms a longitudinal study throughout the module. This uses a problem based learning method and introduces how basic biological sciences underpin clinical practice and its evidence base.
In dental pathology a series of lectures and classroom practical exercises enable students to understand the aetiology, pathogenesis and consequences of common dental diseases (dental caries, periodontal disease and periapical disease) In radiography students are introduced to theoretical and practical aspects of dental radiography, and the underpinning regulations and legislation by a series of lectures and small group teaching. The practical aspects of radiography are further developed and assessed in the clinical environment in year 3. This module provides the underpinning information and understanding.
This module also introduces students to operative dentistry, from both theoretical and practical aspects. Students work in the clinical skills laboratory, learning and performing simple operative tasks under close supervision. These encompass diagnosis and management of dental caries and common prosthetic laboratory procedures. To complement this, specific and relevant theoretical aspects of materials science, chemistry and physics are provided for the range of materials and devices available to the dentist for use in restorative and laboratory situations. The underpinning principles of infection control are taught in this module to enable students to follow clinic protocols.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practice of local anaesthesia.
Demonstrate the ability to perform basic life support and a basic understanding of the management of medical emergencies.
Record a patient’s medical and dental history and demonstrate an understanding of the need to reach a diagnosis and formulate a patient centred treatment plan.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of dental plaque in the aetiology of gingival and periodontal diseases.
Demonstrate an understanding of scientific method and how evidence-based clinical practice evolves.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic skills required to safely examine patient’s periodontal health.
Demonstrate an understanding of the disease processes in the dental and peri-dental tissues and be able to apply this knowledge to aid diagnosis of dental and periodontal disease.
Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practical aspects of dental radiographic techniques and their relevance to diagnosis.
Demonstrate an understanding of the operation of an X-ray unit and safe usage of radiographic equipment, maintaining radiation protection standards and quality assurance protocols, within the Ionizing Radiation Regulations.
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of quality assurance in assessing radiographs.
Demonstrate an ability to prepare and restore a range of simple cavities.
Follow clinic cross-infection protocols and work safely in the clinical setting.
Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practice of laboratory procedures in dental prosthetics.
Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of materials science relevant to specific clinical materials and formulate opinions on a range of dental materials, their use and structure.
Demonstrate understanding of the theories of restorative techniques.
Assessments: Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCE) This consists of a series of practical and knowledge stations which test students on a range of clinical practice and speciality aspects. The OSCE would comprise stations based around Conservative Dentistry, Prosthetics Dentistry, Periodontology and Radiography, a communication and Basic Life Support station and other stations to assess the competencies in the module outcomes. The examination is standard set using Borderline Regression with a pass mark of 50%. A pass in the OSCE but poor performance or failure in an individual “key patient safety” station would lead to remedial teaching and reassessment prior to progression to BDS 3. Dental Charting Competency: Practical (0% as gateway competency) (Unlimited attempts – students would not be able to see patients until they have passed this competency but would progress to BDS 3)
Class II Cavity and Restoration Competency: Practical (0% as gateway competency) (4 attempts in total – 4th attempt is carried out with the external examiner present – if student are unsuccessful this would mean the student fails Fundamentals of Clinical Dentistry and would be asked to withdraw from the BDS course.
Reassessment: A re-sit of the OSCE will be available to students where they have achieved a minimum of 40% in the OSCE. If a re-sit OSCE allows the student to pass the module, the module score is capped at 50%.
