Communication skills are important to the Oral Health Therapist, for their role in oral health promotion, the delivery of care to patients and to be able to communicate effectively with other dental professionals. To develop these skills a number of the core units for the Bachelor of Oral Health will include presentations as part of the assessment. Initially, these will be as part of a group and short in duration. In final year you will be asked to deliver a case presentation to internal and external examiners by yourself.

During Residential School in week 6, you and a partner will be asked to present a five minute presentation. To prepare for this assessment, you will research a selected topic, and create a short concise power point presentation.You must choose from a list of topics listed on the Moodle site which relate to the roles and responsibilities of an Oral Health Therapist in a variety of dental practices.

Your presentation will describe one type of general or specialty dental practice. In your description you will explain the dental treatment provided and the patients treated in this type of practice. You will describe the different roles and interactions of the dental team members. Specifically, you will describe the role of the OHT and procedures performed by the OHT. Your talk should include the legislation applicable to this practice, the requirements for registration and education of the OHT, practice management issues (such as eligibility for CDBS, Veterans Affairs, Health Care etc), opportunities for employment and job satisfaction.

Your presentation should consider the level of knowledge of the student audience. You should take into consideration the size of the room and the audiovisual resources available. Please note, the size, colour and font used in your slides will need to be clearly visible in a large lecture theatre.

It is advised to choose your student partner early in the term. You may use the discussion forum to ask for a partner. Select a topic from the list available on the assessment task in Moodle. When you have selected a topic and partner, please advise the class via the discussion forum and email the Unit Coordinator.

Please submit a draft copy of your power point presentation at the beginning of week 6. This should include the brief outline of the content which will assist the lecturers marking your presentation.

Upload the final power point presentation on the day of the presentation.

This assessment is worth 20% of the overall mark. The minimum mark is 50% to pass and you must pass this assessment to pass the unit overall .

The presentation will be assessed on the following criteria:

1. Content. The Presentation contains accurate information and is supported by references. 45%
2. Communication. The mode of delivery is appropriate for the audience with use of effective visual aids and clear and audible speech. 40%
3. Organization. The information must be presented in a logical sequence 15%

Marking Criteria and Rubric are included in the Oral Presentation Assessment page on Moodle.

A portfolio is a collection of documents that represent your skills and accomplishments. Upon your graduation and throughout your career in Oral Health Therapy, it will be necessary to collect certain documents for your employment such as a copy of your degree, a copy of your registration, your membership of professional organizations and a copy of your work experience, continuing education and special skills. A Reflective Journal is part of this Portfolio as it is an important part of the learning experience as student and continuing education in your professional career.

There are three parts to your Portfolio:

1. Evidence of completed Mandatory Checks, which must be completed prior to Clinical Placement.
2. A record of your 32 hour Clinical Placement, including Student Self-Assessment, Supervisors record of attendance and feedback. Please note: You may be exempt from this placement if you have a Certificate II or IV in Dental Assisting or equivalent qualifications. In this situation you should apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). The details can be found on the Moodle site for this unit. However you must complete the mandatory requirements and reflective journal as part of this portfolio assessment.
3. A Reflective Journal. You are asked to write 600 words on how your experience in the Clinical Placement (or as a Certificate III or IV Dental Assistant) will inform your practice as a student and Oral Health Therapist in the future. Further information on writing a Reflective Journal is included on Moodle in the assessment page.

Important notes on Mandatory Checks and the Clinical Placement:

The Mandatory Checks for all Oral Health students are displayed beneath the general information box on Moodle and must be completed before you begin your clinical placement.

Before commencing your Clinical Placement the Clinical Placement agreement form must be signed and approved. The necessary documents are available on Moodle .

Documents for Mandatory Checks and the Clinical Placement agreement must be uploaded online in SONIA. The link is available on Moodle.

1. Mandatory Checks must be completed to pass this unit and continue in the Oral Health program. This is a pass/fail assessment. Submission of Mandatory Checks are via SONIA.

2. 32 hours Clinical Placement is a pass/ fail assessment and must be completed in order to pass this unit. The Student Self-Assessment and Record of Attendance and Supervisors comments must be completed submitted online when the placement has been completed.

3. The Reflective Journal comprises 20% of your overall grade and 100% of this assessment mark. You will be assessed on structure or organisation of your thoughts, correct spelling and grammar awareness of your personal and professional growth during the period of your clinical work experience. There is a 600 word limit. Submit your journal online via Turn It In. In the case of students with an exemption to clinical placement (Certificate III or IV Dental Assisting), students are advised to submit the journal as early as possible in the term.

Practical and written exercises will be undertaken at the Compulsory Residential School in the Oral Health Simulation Laboratory. At this residential school, you will be tested on the operation of the dental simulation units and the performance of a number of practical tasks and written exercises. You must complete all the tasks and have a peer and supervisor assess your work. You will be expected to write reflective comments and strategies for improvement.

All written and practical exercises and marking criteria are included in the Workbook. The Workbook will also provide you a place to record Self and Peer Evaluation, Student Reflective Practice, Grades and place to Sign off the task with the Supervisor. You will use similar workbooks in all Oral Health courses with a practical component. The process of self and peer evaluation, marking criteria and the reflective practice are similar for all pre-clinical and clinical procedures in the Bachelor of Oral Health program.

A printed and bound copy of the Workbook will be provided for you at Residential school. It is also available on Moodle. Information about the compulsory Residential School can be found on Moodle in Week 6.

The Practical and Written exercises are a Pass/Fail assessment, however each exercise is graded and you must gain at least 50% to pass this assessment. The workbooks will be collected at the completion of the simulation laboratory sessions at residential school.

You will be instructed and assessed on:

1. Hand washing technique.

2. Personal protective equipment.

3. Ergonomic posture and position of the simulator manikin.

4. Identification of dental instruments and accessory items for examination restoration and hygiene therapy.

5. Attachment of rotary instruments.

6. Methods of isolation and maintaining a dry field using high volume evacuator, cotton rolls and mouth rinse on the simulation units.

7. Methods of toothbrushing , floss and mouth rinse and recommendations for different needs.

8. Identification of anatomical landmarks on the face and oral cavity of your peers peers.

9. Tooth and surface identification on charts.

10. Function and maintenance of hand pieces.