UNIT OF STUDY DETAILS

The unit of study information below is presented in numerical order, not a sequence of study. This is intended as a guide and specific assessment items, types, and weightings are subject to change each semester.

DDB101

– Dental Technology I

This unit is an introduction to the dental laboratory and aims to develop the abilities of each student to be able to: Identify and apply the normal oral-facial anatomy and its implications to complete denture fabrication. You will also learn to construct custom trays, and complete upper and lower denture rebase/reline and repairs.

DDB102

– Introduction to Removable Prosthetics Theory

This unit is designed to provide each student with a foundation for complete denture fabrication and is the theoretical complement to dental technology I. Aspects of clinical and laboratory procedures for complete denture construction will be covered, with a focus on patient outcomes. Students will learn the basic theory needed to build dentures, from the initial patient consultation to fitting the dentures and applying after-care.

This unit introduces students to clinical and laboratory materials and products involved in delivering removable dental prosthetics. Students will learn about the properties of clinical and laboratory products used to fit, manipulate and remove dental prosthetics. Students will understand which product to choose in different conditions and become comfortable with the safety factors involved in handling these materials.

DDB104 – Oral Pathology

This unit is designed to develop a student’s ability to describe the aetiology and clinical manifestations of various types of lesions encountered in the clinical environment, and to understand the implications of more widespread and/or systemic disease processes that a Dental Prosthetist may encounter.

DDB105 – Dental Technology II

This unit is a further development of the laboratory skills and techniques involved in removable dental prosthetics with a focus on partially edentulous cases. The aim is to have students apply related laboratory tasks in the fabrication/completion and maintenance of partial dentures; employ safe handling techniques and maintenance of all tools, equipment, machinery, and materials necessary for the fabrication of complete dentures.

DDB106 – Advanced Removable Prosthodontics Theory

This unit aims to reinforce and refine the students’ understanding of removable prosthodontics expanding on the areas covered in dental technology I. This unit supports dental technology II and includes treating, partially edentulous cases and preparing students for clinical sessions. The emphasis is on enhancing the students’ knowledge, critical thinking, and practical applications for complete and partial denture treatment, including immediate denture provision and follow-up procedures.

This unit also aims to have students be able to recognise and predict some of the typical problems that can occur during the laboratory phase of complete and partial denture construction; explain how to resolve these problems; analyse the various concepts of denture occlusion and design an individual occlusal scheme for a complete or part denture.

DDB107 – Infection Control

In this unit, students will develop an understanding of the relevant codes and guidelines for infection control and be applying protective measures in prevention of disease transmission and principles of asepsis, including appropriate sterilisation procedures.

This unit will also outline the morphology, growth requirements, and transmission and resistance factors of various microorganisms. The requirements for best practices in infection prevention and control for the Dental Prosthetist are explained.

DDB108 – Anatomy and Histology for the Dental Prosthetist

Students are required to gain knowledge of head and neck anatomy, histology, and embryology. This unit provides an understanding of the clinical applications. Covered are: dental anatomy, and oral physiology, beginning with an introduction and definition of terms, the anatomy and morphology of different teeth illustrating the key aspects of each tooth, the key anatomical features of the head, neck, and oral cavity, including nerve supply, muscles of mastication, blood supply, and lymphatics.

DDB201 – Oral Health Systems and Social Justice

This unit focuses upon the delivery of oral health in Australia and the effect of cultural and psychosocial factors. Students will understand how the current structure of oral health systems in Australia impacts oral health outcomes for Australians. Topics covered: the relevance of the social determinants of oral health to the oral health status of Australians, including Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Patient psychosocial issues as applied to clinical practice and health behaviour. You will also learn about the role social and economic pressures have on the delivery of dental care.

DDB202 – Pre-Clinical Prosthetic Practices

This unit is supported by Infection Control and Anatomy and Histology for the Dental Prosthetist. Through the use of a simulated clinical environment, this unit introduces students to the interpretation of patient medical and dental history records and explains the importance of the thorough gathering of patient data and record keeping. Students will learn methods of dental charting. Simulated examination notes will be used to devise and justify treatment plans for the edentulous and partially edentulous patient. You will undertake simulated patient examination, take impressions, and use dental instruments. Assessment

DDB203 – Pre-Clinical Prosthetics Theory

This unit is supported by Pre-Clinical Prosthetics Practices and introduces students to interpretation of patient medical and dental history records, and explains the importance of thorough gathering of patient data and record keeping. Students will learn methods of dental charting. An explanation of methods of examination note taking and how this is used to devise and justify treatment plans for the edentulous and partially edentulous patient.

This unit includes basic treatment concepts and the role of the Dental Prosthetist in providing therapy for prosthodontic patients. Students will also understand clinical skills, including those required for patient examination, impression taking, handling dental instruments, and manipulating dental materials for prosthetic procedures.

DDB204 – Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for

the Dental Prosthetist

The purpose of this unit is to develop students’ understanding of the interaction between patients’ general health factors and oral health delivery. Students will learn to interpret variance oral-facial anatomy and its implications as they relate to removable prosthetics; detect the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and complications. Students also need to understand how medical conditions, medical/drug history and treatment planning affects oral health treatment. The unit will also cover occlusal dysfunction, and appropriate management within the scope of practice of a Dental Prosthetist.

DDB205 – Implant Retained Prosthodontics

This unit aims to expand on the theoretical and practical material already covered through the course of study and apply that to the area of implant retained over dentures. This unit will establish a basic knowledge base of implant over dentures and the standard of care for fully edentulous patients.

Throughout this unit, an emphasis will be placed on the team approach, co-operation between dental professionals who can provide other necessary procedures beyond the scope of practice of a Dental Prosthetist to achieve optimal patient outcomes and to safeguard the health and welfare of the public.

– Prosthetic Clinical Skills I

Prosthetic Clinical Skills 1 is the introductory clinical component of the course. It is the implementation of the knowledge and skills developed by each of you. In supervised clinical session’s students are required to demonstrate the practical skills of removable dental prosthetic provision with the ability to give written and verbal explanations relating to clinical skills, patient treatment, and laboratory techniques over a range of procedures. Students will complete the clinical and technical procedures for some patients with a range of prosthetic requirements. All technical work will be assessed, including the design of each completed.

DDB207

– Clinical Prosthetics Theory I

This unit covers the theories behind the clinical components of denture provision. Students will learn to interpret more complex patient medical and dental history records, dental charting, and examination notes to devise and justify treatment plans for the edentulous and partially edentulous patient.

This unit will discuss treatment concepts and the role of the Dental Prosthetist in providing therapy for prosthodontic patients. The examination of patients, including dental charting, record-keeping, referrals, and informed consent protocols, will be explained.

Students will begin to explore choosing appropriate materials and techniques for individual cases. This unit will include the production of writing patient Case Studies and a Portfolio of Treatment Plans.

DDDB208

– Radiology

Radiology includes the relevant knowledge of radiography and practical implementation of taking and interpreting dental radiographs of diagnostic value. Students will develop the ability to recognise all intra-oral and extra-oral radiographic anatomy and identify the radiographic appearance of direct and indirect restorative materials. This unit will include the identification of dental caries and periodontal conditions as viewed on dental radiographs. Students will need to demonstrate how to define and recognise normal and abnormal signs on radiographs.

This unit teaches students how to appropriately implement and modify radiographic techniques to produce a radiographic image of sound diagnostic standards. Students must demonstrate practical radiographic taking and processing skills with verbal explanations relating to clinical skills and patient treatment.

– Prosthetic Clinical Skills II

Prosthetic Clinical Skills 2 is further supervised clinical practice. It is the implementation of the knowledge and skills developed by each student. In supervised clinical sessions, students are required to demonstrate the practical skills of removable dental prosthetic provision with the ability to give written and verbal explanations relating to clinical skills, patient treatment, and laboratory techniques over a broad range of procedures. Students will complete the clinical and technical procedures for some patients with a range of prosthetic requirements. All technical work will be assessed, including the design of each completed.

DDB303 – Clinical Prosthetics Theory II

This unit expands upon the theories behind the clinical components of denture provision. Students will learn to interpret a range of complex patient cases and develop skills to devise and justify treatment plans for complex edentulous and partially edentulous patient cases, including implant-retained prosthetics, immediate prosthetics, and cases involving other disciplines within the dental field.

This unit will discuss treatment concepts and the role of the Dental Prosthetist in providing therapy for prosthodontic patients. The examination of patients, including dental charting, record-keeping, referrals, and informed consent protocols, will be explained.

Students will further develop the ability to choose appropriate materials and techniques for individual cases. This unit will include the production of written patient Case Studies and a Portfolio of Treatment Plans.

DDB304 – Dental Practice Management

This unit is designed to enable the student to establish and manage a modern dental practice. Students will develop the ability to outline work priorities for a business operational plan, including sustainability factors. Critique risk and apply risk management, compliance processes, and continuous improvement activities. Evaluate customer service, team effectiveness, and staff recruitment and training systems. Appraise relevant marketing and business growth activities. Employ verbal and written communication skills in a professional and academic context. Through completing this unit, students will develop a business plan for their proposed practice.

DDB305 – Advanced Prosthetic Clinical Skills

Advanced Prosthetic Clinical Skills is further supervised clinical practice. It is the implementation of the knowledge and skills developed by each student. In supervised clinical session’s students are required to demonstrate the practical skills of removable dental prosthetic provision with the ability to give written and verbal explanations relating to clinical skills, patient treatment, and laboratory techniques over a broad range of procedures. Students are expected to show an ability to manage patient treatment. Students will complete the clinical and technical procedures for a number of patients with a broad range of prosthetic requirements. All technical work will be assessed, including the design.

This unit expands upon previous clinical experience. Students will learn to interpret a range of complex patient cases and develop skills to devise and justify treatment plans for complex edentulous and partially edentulous patient cases, including implant-retained prosthetics, immediate prosthetics, and cases involving other disciplines within the dental field.

This unit will allow students to implement different treatment concepts where deemed appropriate. The examining of patients, including dental charting, record-keeping, referrals, and informed consent protocols implemented. Students will further develop the ability to choose appropriate materials and techniques for individual cases.

DDB307 – Law, Ethics and Professional Responsibility

This unit will introduce students to local and national regulations, codes, standards, and acts that govern the provision of oral health services, employment, and workplace practices in oral health service facilities. It will show students how to identify ethical issues and problems in the clinical context and apply ethical principles to resolve such problems. Students will be required to critique the nature of the professional practice, including engagement with the profession and the community, and acknowledge the importance of health promotion activities. The aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of their responsibilities as oral health practitioners.

DDB308 – Project-Case Study/Literature Review

For this unit, students will produce either a written paper based on evaluation and interpretation of identified existing bodies of work relevant to removable dental prosthetics or produce a patient case study, which will be an analytical account of treatment and justifications of options and examples of research to determine solutions to achieve desired outcomes. Students will base this case study on a past patient from their clinical sessions.