DENT 7272B - Specialist Clinical Special Needs Dentistry I Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

Special Needs Dentistry is that part of Dentistry concerned with the oral health of people adversely affected by intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric issues. The University of Adelaide's postgraduate Doctor of Clinical Dentistry program in Special Needs Dentistry is of three years duration and leads to the degree of Doctor of Clinical Dentistry. This is a specific program plan designed to lead to a specialist registration in the field of Special Needs Dentistry. The course comprises a mix of coursework, clinical work, action/clinical research, research training and a research project and is designed to conform to the educational requirements of the Board of Studies in Special Needs Dentistry of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code DENT 7272B
    Course Specialist Clinical Special Needs Dentistry I Part 2
    Coordinating Unit Dental
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 18
    Contact Up to 19 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites DENT 7272A in previous Semester
    Restrictions Doctor of Clinical Dentistry only
    Course Description Special Needs Dentistry is that part of Dentistry concerned with the oral health of people adversely affected by intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric issues. The University of Adelaide's postgraduate Doctor of Clinical Dentistry program in Special Needs Dentistry is of three years duration and leads to the degree of Doctor of Clinical Dentistry. This is a specific program plan designed to lead to a specialist registration in the field of Special Needs Dentistry. The course comprises a mix of coursework, clinical work, action/clinical research, research training and a research project and is designed to conform to the educational requirements of the Board of Studies in Special Needs Dentistry of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Sharon Liberali

    Program Director
    Associate Professor Sharon Liberali (Special Needs Specialist)

    Academic Staff
    Professor Lindsay Richards (Prosthodontist)
    A/Professor Paul Sambrook (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon)
    Professor Richard Logan (Oral Pathologist)
    Prof Sam Gue (Paediatric Specialist)
    Dr Andrew Cheng (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon)

    Contributing Staff
    Dr Mark Gryst (Visiting Consultant/Special Needs Specialist)
    Dr Dymphna Cudmore (Clinical Leader/Dentist–Aged Care/SRF)
    Dr Mira Holowiecki (Clinical Leader/Dentist – TQEH)
    Ms Margie Steffens (Senior SND Hygienist – SRF/Homeless)
    Ms Claire McNally (Senior SND Hygienist – Med Compromised)
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    more information is available on myuni
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The learning outcomes for the year are to provide students with the skills and knowledge to progress into the higher years of the course.
    1. Development of the necessary advanced clinical skills expected of a specialist in Special Needs Dentistry
    2. Appreciation of the scientific basis for successful clinical specialist practice
    3. Development of scientific and research methodology relating to clinical specialist practice
    4. Development research skills related to clinical specialist practice

    Ultimately, the learning outcome is to provide students with the abilities to practice independent clinical special needs dentistry
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1,3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Textbooks, scientific journal, website, Eleanor Harrold Library, University of Adelaide Library, MyUni, access to materials to undertake research, Adelaide Dental Hospital Special Needs Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Special Needs Dental Unit , Royal Adelaide Hospital including Theatre complex, Women’s and Children’s Hospital Dental Unit and Community Dental clinics of SA Dental Service.
    Recommended Resources
    Recommended resources for the course are a high level of commitment and dedication to special needs dentistry.
    Online Learning
    Minimal online learning is applicable to this course.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Please refer to MyUni.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. The workload model is based on 24 teaching weeks per semester and has an approximately work load of 37.5 hours per week. This is a guide only and will vary depending on topics and the students understanding.


    Learning Activities Summary


    Clinical Component – 5-6 clinical sessions per week

    Seminar /tutorial – Diagnosis, treatment planning and case reviews (1 per week/semester )

    Contemporary Didactic Seminars (1 per week/semester )

    Didactic seminars are based on the requirements of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) and also the iADH Special Needs/Care Dentistry postgraduate curriculum document which details 8 key areas required for didactic study and clinical experience:
    • The Professional, Political and Ethical Context of Special Care Dentistry
    • Impairment, disability and oral health
    • Medical sciences related to special needs dentistry
    • Psychology related to special Needs dentistry
    • Dental public health and oral health promotion
    • Oral health care planning and teamwork
    • Clinical special needs dentistry
    • Research and governance
    Specific Course Requirements
    To be advised by co-ordinator on commencement
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Please refer to MyUni.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    To be advised by course co-ordinator on commencement.
    Assessment Detail
    Formative Review
    Postgraduate students are assessed continuously throughout their training through regular formative review with senior teaching and clinical staff however the emphasis of the program is on self motivated learning and evaluation.
    Assessment includes an overview of clinical case mix, amount of clinical experience and standard of patient care. Deficient areas are discussed with clinical supervisors and remedied together with the postgraduate student.
    In all years, students are assessed on a continuing basis in the conduct of the research project, clinics and seminars. In addition they are expected to complete assignments on aspects of the seminar topics.

    Summative Assessment
    Students will receive continuous assessment of their clinical work, assignments, seminar involvement and seminar presentations. Formal barrier, written, viva-voce and clinical examinations will be undertaken at the mid point of the program (end Semester 1, Year 2). Comprehensive written, viva voce and oral examinations conducted by internal and external examiners will be held in October / November of the 3rd year, with the inclusion of an exit interview at the end of this year. Twelve “achievement” case reports selected by the student are required at the end of the 3rd year.
    The principle of the “achievement” case reports is to ensure a broad range of clinical cases have been managed, detailing treatment provided and supported by current research literature. The reports should include as wide a variety as possible of patients with special needs to reflect the scope of practice of the clinician. The following case selection is recommended:
    ▪ Dental management of a patient with complex medical condition 

    ▪ Dental management of a Head & Neck Cancer patient 

    ▪ Dental management of a patients requiring maxillo-facial prosthodontics 

    ▪ Dental management of a transplant patient (pre-transplant to post-transplant) 

    ▪ Dental management of a patient with developmental disability (ideally including 
invasive treatment under GA and ongoing preventive management) 

    ▪ Dental management of a patient with mental illness or dental anxiety/phobia 

    ▪ Dental management of a patient with neuro-degenerative disease 

    ▪ Dental management of a patient in a Residential Care Facility 

    ▪ Trauma management of a patient requiring Special Needs Dentistry 

    ▪ Complex restorative management of a patient requiring Special Needs Dentistry 

    ▪ Dental management of a patient requiring palliative care 

    â–ª 1 other (candidates choice).

    Portfolio/Logbook Requirements
    Students will complete a comprehensive logbook of patients that will serve as a reference of the relative clinical case mix of patients seen; treatments performed and will aid continual assessment. The registrar logbooks will be audited at the end of each semester. This process will aid in the clinical experience all postgraduate students receive and to ensure that the postgraduate student is exposed to a wide variety of cases. The logbook will also form part of the clinical assessment for each semester and will form part of their overall assessment during their final examination in October / November of the third year.

    Evaluations/Peer Assessments
    Examination of students by persons external to the University of Adelaide for both oral and written examinations in third year, is the benchmark for competent independent clinical practice. Research is examined at the end of the program by an internal and external examiner. The University requires that all higher degree students complete an exit survey prior to program completion.
    Submission
    Please refer to MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    GS8 (Coursework Grade Scheme)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing
    FNS Fail No Submission
    NFE No Formal Examination
    F Fail
    NGP Non Graded Pass
    P Pass
    C Credit
    D Distinction
    HD High Distinction
    RP Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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