| Unit name | Integrated Clinical Practice |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ORDSM0067 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Mrs. House |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Foundations for Practice, Integrated Clinical Practice |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Dental School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
The unit provides students the opportunity to consolidate underpinning knowledge, skills, and experience to practise as a safe beginner within the permitted range of practical procedures of an Orthodontic Therapist as specified by the General Dental Council. It enables the Orthodontic Therapist to work with members of the dental team, understanding patient pathways and onward referrals. This final unit also provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate an evidence-based approach in the interest of high-quality patient care and act within these boundaries; to recognise the importance of lifelong learning and apply it to practice.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This must-pass unit completes the Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy. Workplace-based training as an orthodontic therapist continues and students complete their engagement with didactic teaching before being assessed on the full set of knowledge, skills and behaviours required as an Orthodontic Therapist.
An overview of content
The unit provides students the opportunity to consolidate underpinning knowledge, skills, and experience to practise as a safe beginner within the permitted range of practical procedures of an Orthodontic Therapist as specified by the General Dental Council.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will further develop reflective practice of both clinical skills and application of knowledge obtained from teaching from previous units in the clinical setting. Students will develop abilities in management of their own time/resources and inspire professional research skills including an understanding of evidence base, analytical thought processes and development of a commitment to lifelong learning. There will be an expectation that the student will start to work as a safe beginner capable of independent practice but working within their scope of practice.
Learning Outcomes
To consider:
To understand:
To demonstrate the ability to:
To explain, evaluate and apply principles of an evidence-based approach to:
To demonstrate competency in:
Teaching methods include:
Lectures
Small group seminars and tutorials
Guided Independent study
Clinical Practice under the supervision of a Specialist Orthodontic on Placement.
Continuous Clinical Assessment (CCA) logbook/portfolio including reflective practice
The majority of teaching in this unit will be during clinical practice under the supervision of a Specialist Orthodontist on placement. Study days will use a blended learning approach delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Additional monthly journal clubs will allow students to meet with the wider cohort, including all supervisors, and will provide opportunities to learn through critiquing others’ research. Students will be expected to engage with all learning.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Students have the opportunity to complete a set of mock examinations in a similar style and format to the summative assessments outlined below.
Must-pass assessments that are a requirement, but do not contribute towards the numerical unit mark:
*Students are required to complete 900 hours of supervised clinical activity as a student orthodontic therapist within a period of 45 weeks (during units 2 and 3). Progress will be monitored at the end of unit 2.
At each patient appointment, students present their patient case to their clinical supervisor. This prepares students for the viva examination, practicing communication skills as well as developing the ability to explain rationale and give advice. Following each patient encounter, students must complete an entry in the continuous clinical assessment logbook (CCA). Each entry is graded by the clinical supervisor, considering the knowledge, skills and professionalism demonstrated.
Students complete a patient satisfaction survey in December, which provides valuable feedback. Students will participate in a simulated Orthodontic New Patient Clinic - they will take a history and examine patient records, completing a data collection sheet. They will present their findings to the assessor who will assess accuracy and understanding of the data. The competency can be repeated as many times as needed but must be completed before the date of the summative exams.
To demonstrate an understanding of critical appraisal and evidence-based decision making, students will produce a short oral presentation for a group conference, to answer a clinical question on a specific aspect of their programme. Written feedback on this work will be provided.
Engagement with the CCA and the course will be monitored at termly progression meetings. Following each progression meeting the student will be made aware if there is satisfactory engagement, and if they are meeting the above domains.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
1. Case presentation of two completed patient treatments - Must Pass
Presentation of two patients (not present) for whom they have carried out a comprehensive treatment plan. This will include discussion of pre and mid treatment intra oral clinical photographs, associated radiographs and dental indices. Students will be examined on their understanding of the treatment provided, alternative treatment options and ongoing patient management (33%)
2. Clinical viva - Must Pass
Structured oral examination. Students will be required to demonstrate a broad range of knowledge within the scope of practice of an orthodontic therapist (33%)
3. Two written papers - Must Pass
Short answer questions exam to assess knowledge within the scope of practice of an orthodontic therapist (34%)
When assessment does not go to plan
Students who fail to meet the pass mark of 50% in any of the individual assessments will be required to re-sit the failed assessment(s) and achieve the required mark(s) to pass the unit and graduate. Feedback and support will be provided for any students not yet meeting the required standard. In accordance with University Regulations, students that fail to meet the standard after this re-sit opportunity will be required to withdraw from the programme. In exceptional circumstances, students may be offered one further attempt to demonstrate the required standard. In this case, the students will be asked to repeat the full unit the next year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ORDSM0067).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
