Unit information: Clinical Placement III in 2009/10

Unit name	Clinical Placement III
Unit code	DENT20011
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Miss. Sarah Bain
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Dental School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This module amalgamates and develops the theoretical and operative skills taught in the paediatric module with clinical treatment and management sessions of children at Bristol Dental Hospital and in outreach clinics. Paediatric dentistry is concerned with the promotion and maintenance of oral health for children. In paediatric dentistry student dental hygienists and student dental therapists should care for a number of children in order to assess the efficacy of preventive measures and their behaviour management.

Aims:

• Student will carry out aspects of paediatric dentistry at both Bristol Dental Hospital and in an outreach setting.

• Social and psychological factors will be related to the recognition and preventive treatment of the common disease processes.

• Student dental hygienists will be familiar with all aspects of the provision of general dental care, and have a knowledge and understanding of the management and treatment of patients with physical or learning disabilities, patients with mental health problems, medically compromised patients and terminally ill patients, and have a thorough understanding of their role in the care of such patients.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Student dental hygienists should be made aware of the successes and limitations of preventive dentistry and the potential for further progress. The ethos of preventive dentistry should prevail in every clinical department, so that new preventive dentistry techniques are taught to students as they become available. Students should be conversant with the practice of preventive care, including oral health education and oral health promotion. Students should recognise the increasing evidence-based approach to treatment. The student should appreciate the need to collaborate in prevention, treatment and management of disease with other healthcare professionals and with patients themselves.

Teaching Information

Lecture Clinical tutoring Independent study Revision and Assessment Continuous reporting and feedback from clinical sessions

Assessment Information

• Assessment is formative for this unit, with regular written assessments and also with clinical supervision of students treating patients. Each clinical procedure carried out by the student is graded and feedback is given by staff.

• Where there is concern for a students development, students will be given further tutorials and supervision on manikin heads.

• Patient availability is reliant on access to outreach settings in Bristol and Somerset Stroud and a patient base from Bristol Dental Hospital. The course is also structured to utilise these facilities when dental students are on annual leave to maximise patient availability and to provide continuity of care for these patients.

• There are set clinical competencies which are laid down by the General Dental Council. Students must complete these competencies in order to be put through to Finals. Clinical competencies are assessed using the clinical assessment criteria in the codes of practice. All staff teaching on the programme receives training in assessment so there is standardisation across the board.

Reading and References

Medical Problems in Dentistry Scully CMAS, Cawson RA ISBN: 07236 10568

A Manual of Paediatric Dentistry  4th Edition Andlaw/Rock ISBN: 04430 45100

Paediatric Dentistry (Self Assessment Picture Tests) Shaw ISBN: 07234 09846