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 ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals.
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 - 2023
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 Face-to-face and by email.
Students would like detailed feedback on their perfomance in the In-Class test in radiography.
It is recommended that the criteria and standards for student's radiography practical skills be reviewed to ensure students have clear understanding of the tasks required. Exemplars will be provided on Moodle.
Feedback from Face to face and student evaluations.
Students would like more individual assistance in practical activities from supervisors.
It is recommended that the student to supervisor ratio be reviewed when the next cohort of students is known and an additional supervisor assistance be allocated.
Feedback from Face to face and by email.
Students were unsure of how they would be assessed on dental radiography theory. They were concerned that in addition to the pass/fail quizzes in radiography they would be assessed in the end of term online test.
It is recommended that the method of assessment for dental radiography theory and the online test at the end of term be revised. Rather than one online test in exam week, students will be assessment by a series of quizzes spread across the term which will include the assessment of radiography theory.
- 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.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional and ethical values and behaviors and communication skills for the dental practitioner.
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) - 60% | ||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 0% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40% | ||||
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
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
Additional Textbook Information
Textbooks can be accessed online at the CQUniversity Library website. Access may be limited. If you prefer your own copy, you can purchase either paper or eBook versions at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
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.
Dental Radiography 1:
- Introduction to radiation physics and biologic effects of radiation.
Chapter
Bird, D.L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapters 1-3, and 38.
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
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.
Dental Radiography 2:
- Introduction to instruments and equipment
- Dental radiography image receptors and image production.
Chapter
Bird, D.L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 4, and Chapter 39.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation Laboratory:
- Dental instruments
- Ergonomics
- Instrument handgrips and finger rests
- 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.
Dental Radiography 3:
- Introduction to radiation safety
- Radiation protection in dentistry
- Licensing, guidelines and practice standards in dental radiography.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 5 and Chapter 38 and 40.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation Laboratory:
- Handpieces, operation and maintenance
- 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 placement
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
- Cavity preparation and restoration
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.
Dental Radiography 4:
- Infection control.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Part 4 and 5 and Chapter 40.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation Laboratory:
- In-Class test a
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 5:
- Radiographic techniques - Intra-oral images
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapters 26, 28, and 41.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Clinic:
- Clinic facilities tour
- Operation of the dental chair
- Patient changeover procedure.
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.
Dental Radiography 6:
- Radiographic techniques - Extra-oral images
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapter 4, 5 and 42.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Radiography:
- Intra-Oral Radiography - Bitewing Radiographs
Dental Clinic:
- Patient changeover procedure check
- Admitting and seating the patient
- Ergonomics
- Extra oral examination on peer.
Module/Topic
Communication:
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Listening skills
- Communication with colleagues and patients
- Academic referencing for study in Oral Health.
Dental Radiography 7:
- CQUniversity Oral Health Clinic and Australian specific content.
- Quality assurance.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapter 61.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Radiography:
- Intra-Oral Radiography - Periapical Radiographs
Simulation Laboratory :
- 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.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapter 26.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Radiography:
- Extra-Oral Radiography - Panoramic and Lateral Cephalometric Radiography
Simulation Laboratory:
- In Class test b
- Hygiene skills activity
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.
Chapter
Bird, D. L., & Robinson, D. S. (2021) Modern dental assisting (13th ed.,) Elsevier. St Louis, Missouri, US. Chapters 62 and 63.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dental Radiography:
- Revision.
Simulation Laboratory:
- Hygiene skills activities
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Radiography Practical Assessment
Simulation laboratory:
- Hygiene skills activities
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Throughout this course you will be required to purchase some equipment:
First year will be required to purchase equipment for ORAL11006 (Term 2), at an approximate cost of $1300. You will need to order this equipment around the end of Term 1 in preparation for Term 2.
Second year students will be required to purchase equipment for ORAL12003 (Term 1), at an approximate cost of $500. You will need to order this equipment no later than end of January in preparation for Term 1.
Second year students will be required to purchase equipment for ORAL12005 (Term 2), at an approximate cost of $400. You will need to order this equipment around the end of Term 1 in preparation for Term 2.
Equipment can be used for clinical and oral health education purposes after graduation, or sold on to other students once you have graduated.
1 In-class Test(s)
There are two practical-based tests in this assessment. The first test (In Class Test A) will be conducted in week 6 and will test you on the knowledge and practical skills completed in practical sessions in weeks 1 to 5. The second test (In Class Test B) will be conducted in week 10 and will test you on the knowledge and practical skills completed in practical sessions in weeks 7, 8 and 9. These tests are station-based tests where multiple stations are set up around the room. You will move from station to station to complete tasks and answer questions.
In Class Test A will be conducted in Week 6 Wednesday 19th April 2023. In Class Test B will be conducted in Week 10 Wednesday 17th May 2023.
Results will be returned within two weeks of completion of each In Class Test.
The In Class Test assessment is aligned to the practical skills gained in the simulation laboratory, prosthetic laboratory and clinic practical sesions in this unit. All practical procedures and supporting information are outlined in the Workbooks for this unit. In Class Test A is worth 30% of your final grade. In Class Test B is worth 30% of your final grade. You must gain at least 50% of the combined total to pass this assessment.
- 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, a history of your work experience, continuing education, letters from referees, and 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. In this assignment you will begin to collect documents for your professional portfolio that demonstrate the development of your clinical skills and acheivements as well as collect necessary documents for your professional practice and registration.
There are three components to this Portfolio. Each component is displayed on Moodle as an assignment in which the task is described in detail and your Pass/Fail grade recorded.
- Mandatory Requirements
- Evidence of Developing Clinical Skills
- Dental Radiography Safety Audit.
Some components of the mandatory requirements are necessary to commence activities in the oral health clinic, therefore the due date for mandatory requirements is Friday,14th April 2023. The remaining components of the Portfolio are due Friday 2nd June 2023.
Progress in the Portfolio assessments will be monitored during the term. Results of assessment in dental radiographic procedures will be returned by Friday 2nd June 2023.
You must pass all three components of the Portfolio to pass this unit. Each component is Pass/Fail
- Complete all mandatory requirements. When all mandatory requirements are uploaded to SONIA, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) officer will advise the unit coordinator that mandatory requirements are complete.
- Evidence of developing clinical skills includes certificates and visual documentation (photographs and videos). A list of the minimum requirements can be found on Moodle in the Assessment tile.
- You will be assessed on safe and competent practices in the following dental radiographic procedures: periapical, bitewing, panoramic and lateral cephalometric. You will be assessed against a criterion-referenced rubric which is listed on Moodle. You must achieve a satisfactory score in all criteria to pass this assessment. If you do not pass the Dental Radiography Safety Audit, you will be given an opportunity to re-attempt the safety audit within a week. Note that only one opportunity to do a re-attempt will be given. Re-attempt is where you are given a second opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of one or more of the unit’s learning outcomes before you can progress to new learning or participate in subsequent learning activities. If you do not pass the re-attempt, you will be unable to pass ORAL11001.
- 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.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional and ethical values and behaviors and communication skills for the dental practitioner.
3 Online Quiz(zes)
You will complete two on-line quizzes.
The first quiz (Online Quiz A) will include short answer, matching and multiple-choice questions and will test your knowledge of the learning material in weeks 1-10. You can prepare for this test by completing the weekly formative practice quizzes.
The second quiz (Online Quiz B) includes short response questions which require a few sentences or a paragraph. To answer the quiz questions you will need to have access to a number of support documents which will be outlined on your Moodle page in this assessment. To prepare for this quiz you can complete the example questions in the weekly study guide.
Questions will be randomly generated from a pool of questions. No two students will sit the exact same combination of questions. You are allowed only one attempt for each quiz and must complete the quizzes in a limited time. Your attempts for each quiz will be submitted automatically, but no more questions can be answered once the time limit expires. No attempts are allowed after the quizzes are closed. If you are unable to complete the quizzes by the due date, you must apply for an extension before the due date.
Each quiz is outlined below.
The first quiz (Online Quiz A) opens Friday 12th May 8.00am and closes Monday 22nd May 5.00pm. This quiz tests learning material in weeks 1-10. There are 60 questions (maximum). This quiz is worth 10%.
The second quiz (Online Quiz B) will be opened in exam week. You will be advised of the date and time the quiz will be open. This quiz tests learning material in weeks 1-12. There are 10 questions which have multiple parts. This quiz is worth 30%.
2
Other
Online Quiz A is due 5.00pm Monday 22nd May 2022. Online Quiz B will be conducted during the university examination period. You will be advised on the date and time
Results of Online Quiz A are made available immediately after the quiz closes. Results of Online Quiz B will be made available on release of grades.
The online quizzes will assess your knowledge of the materials from weeks 1-12. Questions in Online Quiz A will be automatically marked correct or incorrect on the completion of the quiz. Questions in Online Quiz B will be manually graded.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of an Oral Health Therapist as a member of the dental team and of the community.
- 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.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional and ethical values and behaviors and communication skills for the dental practitioner.
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?
