Overview
This unit introduces you to the profession of an Oral Health Therapist and to your role within the dental team. You will be introduced to regulatory, ethical and legal frameworks which form the basis of dental practice. In particular, this unit will focus on workplace health and safety, infection control and prevention, communication, practice management and requirements for registration. This unit will also develop the foundation knowledge and skills in the dental environment as you commence preclinical and clinical training. An important part of your preclinical training in this unit will be to gain theoretical knowledge in radiation safety and radiographic imaging procedures and learn to take both intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs safely and competently in a simulated environment. Mandatory requirements for clinical practice including, First Aid, Immunisations and Blue Card must be fulfilled.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Condition: Students must be enrolled full-time in CB29 Oral Health Course to enrol in this unit. Corequisites: BMSC11010 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and HLTH11027 Foundations of Health.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluations
Students were enthusiastic about the preclinical activities conducted in the simulation laboratory and clinic.
It is recommended that preclinical activities will remain as part of ORAL11001. With the addition of training for dental radiography in 2022, the preclinical activities will be further enhanced. Preclinical activities will be scheduled every week in 2022.
Feedback from Student evaluations
Students found the hard copy workbook useful, as all preclinical activities were listed as stepwise procedures and written activities related to the tasks were included in the workbook.
It is recommended that all practical tasks will continue to be outlined as stepwise procedures and supported by written activities in the hard copy workbook.
Feedback from In class feedback
Students would like feedback on their written assessments to improve on their examination technique and results in future assessments.
It is recommended that students be given feedback on written assessments early in the term. This will be made possible by modification of assessment types to include in-class tests as part of the proposed unit changes for ORAL11001 in 2022. The first in-class test will be scheduled mid-term in 2022. This assessment will provide an opportunity to give students early feedback in both written and practical tasks.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of an Oral Health Therapist as a member of the dental team and of the community.
- Demonstrate preclinical skills in the use of dental instruments, equipment and materials in a simulated environment including the techniques for intra-oral and extra-oral radiography.
- Understand the principles of infection control, workplace health and safety as well as the scientific basis, applications and safe use of ionizing radiation in dental practice.
- Understand the legal and ethical requirements of dental practice and registration as a health professional.
The learning outcomes of this unit are part of the overall learning outcomes in the Bachelor of Oral Health course at CQUniversity and are included in the annual report to the Australian Dental Council (ADC).
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 0% | ||||
| 3 - Online Test - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Essentials of Dental Radiography
Edition: 10th (2017)
Authors: Evelyn Thomson and Orlen Johnson
Pearson Education
Saddle River Upper Saddle River Saddle River Upper Saddle River , NJ , USA
ISBN: 9780134460741
Binding: Paperback
Modern Dental Assisting
Edition: 13th (2020)
Authors: Doni L. Bird and Debbie S. Robinson
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 978-0-323-62485-5
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
c.m.fay@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Oral Health Therapy as a career:
- BOH course overview
- History of Dentistry and Oral Health Therapy
- What it means to be a dental professional
- Dental Therapy, Dental Hygiene and Oral Health Therapy careers
- Members of the dental healthcare team and how they work together.
Chapter
Bird, D.L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapters 1-3.
Tsang A K Led (2010) Oral Health Therapy Programs in Australia and New Zealand Emergence and development. Knowledge books and Software. Varsity Lakes, Queensland, Australia. Chapters 1 and 2.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association (ADOHTA) and Dental Hygienist Association (DHAA) information session. Wednesday 9th March, 2022. 11.30pm -12.30pm. ROK 29/G.07.
Simulation laboratory:
- Hand hygiene
- PPE
- Operation and maintenance of the dental simulation units
Module/Topic
Infection Control 1:
- Introduction to microbiology and disease transmission
- The chain of infection
- Introduction to methods of infection control and prevention
- Practice requirements for infection control and documentation.
Chapter
Bird, D.L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 4.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation laboratory:
- Dental instruments
- Ergonomics
- Positioning the high-volume evacuator
- Performing a mouth rinse.
Module/Topic
Workplace Health and Safety:
- Risks and hazards
- Risk assessments
- Hazards in the dental workplace
- Chemical and waste disposal
- Ergonomics
- Laws, Regulations, Codes of Conduct, recommendations and advice
- Workplace Health and Safety regulations and recommendations
- Dental practice documentation.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 5.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation laboratory:
- Handpieces
- Instrument handgrips and finger rests
- Prophylaxis and flossing activity.
Module/Topic
Dental instruments and equipment:
- Functional areas of a dental practice and requirements
- Operation and features of the dental chair
- Operating zones
- Basic grasps for dental instruments and use of a fulcrum
- Dental handpieces, features and maintenance
- Hand instruments in a basic set up for examination and restorative procedures
- Basic instruments and equipment used in local anaesthesia
- Instruments and equipment used in oral evacuation, moisture control and rubber dam
- Basic bur types
- Cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 7.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation laboratory:
- Rubber dam instruments, assembly and placement
- Matrix system assembly and placment
- Tooth preparation activity.
Module/Topic
Dental materials:
- Overview of restorative and preventive dental materials including liners, bases and bonding systems.
- Overview of laboratory and impression materials
- Regulatory requirements for dental materials
- Introduction to dental material science.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 9.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation laboratory:
- Manipulation of restorative and laboratory materials.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Infection Control 2:
- Standard precautions and transmission-based precautions
- Processing and handling of dental instruments.
- General surface cleaning and disinfection
- Surgery design
- Waste management
- Dental unit water lines
- Cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 4 and 5.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental industry talk from NSK on Handpiece maintenance. Wednesday 20th April 2022.
Simulation laboratory:
- First in-class test.
Module/Topic
Introduction to dental examination procedures:
- Medical, dental and social histories
- Extra-oral and Intra-oral clinical examination
- Documenting the dental examination (including tooth diagrams).
- Further diagnostic procedures.
Dental Radiography 1:
- Definition and history of dental radiography
- Characteristics and measurement of Radiation
- Radiation biology and safety.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapters 26, 28, 41 and 42.
Thompson, E., & Johnson,O. ( 2017) Essentials of Dental Radiography (10th Ed.,) Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA. Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental clinic activity:
- Clinic facilities tour
- Operation of the dental chair
- Patient changeover procedure.
Module/Topic
Communication:
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Listening skills
- Communication with colleagues and patients
- Academic referencing for study in Oral Health.
Dental Radiography 2:
- The dental X-ray machine
- Dental X-ray image receptors and image production
- Infection control for radiography
- Licensing and regulation
- Ethics.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapter 61.
Thompson, E., & Johnson,O. ( 2017) Essentials of Dental Radiography (10th Ed.,) Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA. Chapters 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Radiography Practical:
- Intra-Oral Radiography - Bitewing Radiographs
Dental clinic activity:
- Patient changeover procedure check
- Admitting and seating the patient
- Ergonomics
- Extra oral examination on peer.
Module/Topic
Law and ethics in dental practice:
- Dental ethics
- The legislative framework for members of the dental healthcare team
- The Australian context - national, states and territories
- Dentistry and the Law
- Professionalism and social media.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapters 4 and 5.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Radiography Practical:
- Intra-Oral Radiography - Periapical Radiographs
Simulation laboratory activity:
- Dental materials.
Module/Topic
Record Management:
- The components of a patient’s dental record.
- Consent, privacy, and confidentiality
- Guidelines for the management of dental records in Australia.
Dental Radiography 3;
- Dental radiographic techniques
- Factors affecting radiographic quality
- Radiographic errors and quality assurance.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapter 26.
Thompson, E., & Johnson,O. ( 2017) Essentials of Dental Radiography (10th Ed.,) Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA. Chapters 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Radiography Practical:
- Extra-Oral Radiography - Panoramic and Lateral Cephalometric Radiography
Simulation laboratory activity:
- Dental materials.
Module/Topic
Practice management:
- The roles of a practice manager
- Appointment scheduling and the appointment book
- Recall programs
- Patient billing
- Provider numbers
- Australian Schedule of Dental Services (Item Numbers)
- Maintenance schedules
- SOPs.
Dental radiography 4:
- Viewing and interpreting radiographic Images.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapters 62 and 63.
Thompson, E., & Johnson,O. ( 2017) Essentials of Dental Radiography (10th Ed.,) Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA. Chapters 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental radiography Practical:
- Revision.
Simuation laboratory:
- Dental materials.
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Radiography Practical Assessment.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In the clinic and preclinical laboratories, all students must wear name tags, CQU oral health polos, black trousers and low-heeled closed-in black shoes, protective eyewear, have their hair tied back and wear no jewellery on their hands or arms. All garments must be laundered and ironed. In the simulation laboratory, a clinic coat is required to be worn over the oral health polo. In the clinic, students are required to wear a short-sleeved theatre gown. (The theatre gown is required by week 7) Oral health polo, clinic coat, theatre gown and protective glasses can be purchased from the CQU bookshop. Name tags will be supplied.
Students must abide by workplace health and safety and infection control policies and guidelines during all preclinical laboratory and clinic sessions. All mandatory requirements for clinical practice must be met before commencing the clinical activity in week 7.
1 In-class Test(s)
There are two In-Class tests which assess the knowledge and practical skills you will develop in the simulation laboratory and dental radiography sessions.
The first test will be conducted in week 6 and will test you on the foundation knowledge and practical skills developed in the simulation laboratory in weeks 1 to 5. You will find week 1 to 5 practical and written tasks outlined in the Workbook for ORAL11001. Complete all tasks to prepare for this assessment. The test will be conducted as a multi-station test of approximately 25 numbered stations.
The second test will be conducted in week 12 in the clinic and will test your practical safety and competence in intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiography procedures.
The first in class test will be held on Wednesday 20th April 2022, in week 6. The second in class test will be held on Wednesday 1st June 2022, in week 12.
Results will be returned as soon as possible, however results will be returned no later than week 8 for the first test and end of exam week for the second test.
The simulation laboratory practical assessment is aligned to the practical skills gained in the simulation laboratory and outlined as stepwise procedures in the workbook for this unit. You must gain at least 50% to pass this test. This test is worth 25% of the total grade for this unit.
The dental radiography practical assessment criteria are aligned to the practical steps and components for taking radiographs e.g., infection control, use of positioning devices, patient positioning, processing of the image and safe radiation practices. Periapical, bitewing, panoramic and lateral cephalometric image techniques will be assessed. You must pass all criteria of the practical assessment to pass the in-class test. A rubric for the practical assessment is included in the assessment page on Moodle. This test is worth 25% of the total grade for this unit.
No submission method provided.
- Demonstrate preclinical skills in the use of dental instruments, equipment and materials in a simulated environment including the techniques for intra-oral and extra-oral radiography.
- Understand the principles of infection control, workplace health and safety as well as the scientific basis, applications and safe use of ionizing radiation in dental practice.
2 Portfolio
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, dental radiation use licence, history of your work experience, continuing education, letters from referees, special skills, as well as immunization records and results of blood tests for blood borne viruses etc. A collection of documents for your professional life is often called a portfolio, so the assessment is described in this way. Mandatory requirements are part of this portfolio and must be maintained and updated throughout your working life. Evidence that you have passed the theoretical component of your dental radiography study and future radiation use licence is collected and uploaded in this portfolio.
Mandatory requirements for the Portfolio are due Thursday,14th April 2022. Radiography assignment for the Portfolio is due Wednesday, 3rd June 2022.
Radiography assignment for the Portfolio will be assessed and returned by Friday 17th June 2022.
Evidence of your theoretical knowledge in intra-oral and extra-oral radiography will be collected in a series of open-book online tests. A minimum mark of 60% as the sum of all these tests will required to pass this componenet of the portfolio.
You must complete all mandatory requirements in order to pass this unit.
- Demonstrate preclinical skills in the use of dental instruments, equipment and materials in a simulated environment including the techniques for intra-oral and extra-oral radiography.
- Understand the principles of infection control, workplace health and safety as well as the scientific basis, applications and safe use of ionizing radiation in dental practice.
3 Online Test
You will complete an online test during the university examination week. The test has two parts. Part A includes short answers. Part B includes short response questions which require a few sentences or a paragraph. You maybe asked to draw or label diagrams in Part B. You will be allowed 150minutes to complete the test. All questions will be submitted automatically and only one question will appear on your screen at a time. A practice quiz will be made available for you to practice the format of the quiz.The online test is worth 50% of your final assessment.
The online test will be conducted in the examination period. You will be advised on the date and time
Results of the online test will be made available on release of grades.
The online tests will assess your knowledge of the materials from weeks 1-12. To guide your assessment in this test, you will find weekly learning outcomes in the study guide and in the lecture power point slides. You will also find examples of similar questions to the online test in the weekly study guides.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of an Oral Health Therapist as a member of the dental team and of the community.
- Understand the legal and ethical requirements of dental practice and registration as a health professional.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
