ORAL11005 - Dental Morphology and Microscopic Anatomy

Showing: 2026 HE Term 1
General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit covers key topics which are foundations for preclinical and clinical study in the Oral Health Therapy Course. You will study morphology and development of teeth, basic occlusion and microscopic anatomy of oral structures. The study of distinct features and traits of teeth, in primary and permanent dentitions, will enable you to identify and examine teeth, as well as develop an awareness of root morphology required for primary tooth extractions and periodontal treatment for the adult dentition. The study of the development of teeth and the sequence of eruption and exfoliation will develop your understanding of the changes with age from infancy to adulthood. This knowledge and understanding will also enable you to predict changes in the dentition with age and identify abnormalities in the eruption sequence. The study of dental morphology and occlusion will provide you with an understanding of tooth shape and function that applies to the restoration of natural tooth form. The microscopic study of teeth and oral structures will support your study of dental caries, periodontal disease and oral mucosal diseases.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 1
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 3
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Condition: Students must be enrolled in CB29 Oral Health Course to enrol in this unit.

Prerequisite: HLTH11027 Foundations of Health

Corequisite: ORAL11004 Oral Anatomy 

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).

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Residential School Compulsory Residential School
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Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2019

Term 2 - 2019 Profile
Mixed Mode Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2020 Profile
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2021 Profile
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2022 Profile
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2025 Profile
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2026 Profile
Rockhampton

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. In-class Test(s) 25%
2. Online Quiz(zes) 25%
3. Examination 50%

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

Past Exams

Previous Feedback

No previous feedback available

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.

Source: In Class
Feedback:
Students reported that the practical anatomy sessions were valuable and enjoyable, giving them ample time to complete all workbook activities. They particularly appreciated simulating local anesthesia on the manikin, and engaging in drawing exercises on the whiteboard.

Recommendation:
It is recommended the practical anatomy sessions continue in small groups.

Action Taken:
Anatomy practical sessions continued with small group teaching, enhanced individualized support and interactive activities.
Source: In Class
Feedback:
Students reported that they did not receive useful feedback on their practical anatomy test and first In Class written test.

Recommendation:
It is recommended the assessment feedback process be reviewed.

Action Taken:
The feedback process was revised to improve both the timing and usability of general and individual feedback.
Source: In Class
Feedback:
Students reported feeling overwhelmed by the large amount of content and they felt it was difficult to discern what to focus on and what was important.

Recommendation:
It is recommended the content and delivery of the unit be reviewed.

Action Taken:
The content and unit delivery was reviewed and amended to provide clear guidance on learning activities and lecture material reorganised.
Source: Student evaluations and in class.
Feedback:
Students would like to receive more feedback on the weekly practice quizzes in preparation for the Online Quiz assessment. They felt that the wording in some Online Quiz assessment questions was confusing.

Recommendation:
It is recommened that additional feedback be added to the practice quizzes, and the questions in the Online Quiz assessment be reviewed for clarity.

Action Taken:
In Progress
Source: Student evaluations and in class.
Feedback:
Some students found this unit to be content heavy and reported difficulty discerning which content was most important.

Recommendation:
It is recommended to focus on essential material by enhancing the streamlined lecture slide layout and categorising additional learning resources as essential or optional.

Action Taken:
In Progress
Source: Student evaluations and in class.
Feedback:
Students appreciated one-on-one support before the written In Class tests.

Recommendation:
It is recommended to continue small-group and individual review sessions before the written In Class tests.

Action Taken:
In Progress
Unit Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Identify teeth and their occlusal relationships in the primary and permanent dentition in all stages of development from infancy to adulthood
  2. Describe features and traits of teeth in the primary and permanent dentition as well as normal sequence of eruption and exfoliation, development and function of occlusion
  3. Describe the process of odontogenesis as well as microscopic anatomy of tissues and structures associated with the oral cavity
  4. Demonstrate appropriate oral and written communication skills, professional attitudes and ethical behaviours as required of an Oral Health Therapist.

All unit profiles in the Bachelor of Oral Health are made available to the Australian Dental Council for on-going accreditation purposes.

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - In-class Test(s)
2 - Online Quiz(zes)
3 - Examination
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
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
8 - Ethical practice
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10
1 - In-class Test(s)
2 - Online Quiz(zes)
3 - Examination