Unit information: Foundations for Practice - Year 1 in 2020/21

Unit name	Foundations for Practice - Year 1
Unit code	ORDS10015
Credit points	40
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Mrs. Woolley
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	N/A
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	Bristol Dental School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Year 1:

Subject Areas:

1. Oral & Dental Anatomy & Physiology Oral/Embryology & Histology and Dental Morphology
2. General Anatomy and Physiology
3. Microbiology (spread of infection)
4. Medical Conditions & Dental Management Implications
5. Diet & Nutrition
6. Tooth wear
7. Medical History taking and Medical Emergencies
8. General Pathology (inflammation and wound healing)
9. Dental Deposits and Periodontal Disease
10. Topical Fluorides, Toothpastes & Mouthwashes in plaque control
11. Health Promotion, Planning & Prevention
12. Dental Public Health & Evidence Based Advice
13. Pain and Anxiety Control (inc. properties of drugs)
14. Smoking Cessation
15. Dental Biomaterials

This Unit will include the microbiology/spread of infection and infectious diseases in relation to the Dental Surgery and the methods of Cross Infection Control available in line with current universal/standard precaution protocols and policies such as HTM01-05.

This unit will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of biomedical sciences with relevance specifically to the working practice of the dental hygienist and therapist.

The principles of acute and chronic inflammation and wound healing will form the underpinning knowledge required prior to its application to oral tissues and introduces students to periodontal disease. Examining how periodontal conditions are classified, before moving on to look in detail at chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis. This comprises histopathology, aetiology, clinical features, the basics of periodontal treatment and disease progression.

Students will have thorough knowledge of common medical conditions, particularly those of oral significance including their management implications.

The unit encompasses educational principles and methodology within Oral Health Promotion, looking at concepts of health, health behaviour and sociological influences community wide. Containing specific focus on the needs and management of different patient groups including children, adults, older people and those with special care requirements. Communication skills are developed to enable patient assessment, patient consent, treatment and effective team working.

Also develops knowledge of the influence of secondary factors; such as smoking and diet on oral health, as well as providing information on preventive products.

Aims:

• To have a knowledge and understanding of the relevant general and regional dental anatomy and physiology
• To provide the student with the appropriate knowledge to transition into the clinical environment
• Acquire an understanding of the principles of evidence-based practice and be able to make appropriate decisions on patient care and management using this approach.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. To describe relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial and general anatomy and explain their application to patient management. To describe relevant and appropriate physiology and explain its application to patient management.
2. Explain the potential routes of transmission of infectious agents in dental practice, mechanisms for the prevention of infection, the scientific principles of decontamination and disinfection and their relevance to health and safety.
3. To recognise abnormalities of the oral cavity and the rest of the patient and raise concerns where appropriate.
4. Describe the properties of relevant medicines and therapeutic agents and discuss their application to patient management.
5. To understand the importance of taking a medical history and how medical conditions can affect patient management.
6. To understand the management of medical emergencies in the dental surgery.
7. To understand the classification system used for periodontal conditions. Understand the basic concepts of the indirect and secondary factors which influence the initiation and progression of periodontal disease.
8. To be able to explain the aetiology, pathogenesis and progression of chronic gingival and periodontal disease. To be able to explain the process of pocket formation and bone-loss in periodontal disease.
9. Describe oral diseases and their relevance to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
10. Explain general and systemic disease and explain their relevance to oral health.
11. To describe the basic principles of a population health approach including demographic and social trends, UK and international oral health trends, determinants of health and inequalities in health, the ways in which these are measured and current patterns. To describe the principles of planning oral health care for communities to meet needs and demands.
12. To apply to the practice of dental hygiene, principles that derive from the biomedical behavioural and materials sciences.
13. Describe the principles of an evidence based approach to learning, clinical and professional practice and decision making.
14. Familiar with the role of therapeutics in the management of patients requiring medication as an integral part of their oral care.
15. Describe the properties of relevant drugs and therapeutic agents for local anaesthesia and alternative methods of pain and anxiety control. Discuss their application to patient management. Be familiar with alternative methods of pain and anxiety control.
16. Describe the health risks of diet, tobacco and alcohol on oral health and provide appropriate advice referral and support.
17. Describe the scientific principles underpinning the use of materials and bio-materials and discuss their limitations and selection, with emphasis on those used in dentistry.

Teaching Information

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Small group Seminars and tutorials
• Guided Independent study
• Continuous Clinical Assessment logbook/portfolio (CCA) including reflective practice

Teaching will use a blended learning approach delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Students will be expected to engage with all learning.

Assessment Information

Summative assessments:

1. Foundations of Practice Multiple Short Answer (70%)
2. Biomaterials e-Assessment (30%)

Students must pass each assessment to the standard set pass mark for their programme.

Formative assessments:

Students are supported in their learning by a variety of directed formative assessments with which they must engage within this unit. Overall performance will be reviewed and discussed at the School Progress Committee.

1. Oral and Dental General Anatomy & Physiology - Multi format E-assessment
2. Regional Oral and Dental Anatomy & Physiology - Bones of the Skull - OSCE
3. Oral/Dental Embryology and Histology - Tooth identification and Tooth Morphology - OSCE
4. Periodontal risk factors -Written assessment - Home Study Assignment 1000 - 1,500 words
5. Dental Deposits - Written assessment - Home Study Assignment 1000 - 1,500 words
6. Dental Public Health & Evidence Based Advice/ Special Care Dentistry - Students will provide information demonstrating knowledge and understanding on the delivery of evidence-based advice to Target Group patients, including those within Special Care Dentistry and Gerodontology. This will include demonstration of communication skills and problem-solving within set patient scenarios.
7. Smoking Cessation - Students will be involved in role play to demonstrate their communication skills and understanding of giving smoking cessation advice as part of their clinical treatment session. This is assessed as part of their clinical log book and each task graded with self-reflection and feedback from qualified clinical staff.
8. Pain and Anxiety Control - E-assessment.
9. Toothpastes/Mouthwashes - Written assessment Extended Written Questions

Marks obtained in formative assessments above do not contribute to the overall unit mark but failure to complete by the stated end of term deadlines will be raised at the Progress Committee, and may be a barrier to progression.

Reading and References

Clinical Textbook of Dental Hygiene and Therapy – Editor Suzanne Noble: ISBN: 9780470658376

Department of Health, Delivering Better Oral Health, An evidence-based toolkit for prevention, 3rd Edition 2014.

Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, 8th Edition, Ross and Wilson, ISBN: 0-443-05156-0

Medical Problems in Dentistry 6th Edition; Scully, Churchill Livingstone ISBN: 978-0-7020-3507-4

Drug Dictionary for Dentistry; Meechan & Seymour; Oxford ISBN: 0-19-263274-4

British National Formulary

Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics (3rd Edition); Seymour, Meechan & Yates ISBN: 0192629522

Applied Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist (6th Edition); Haveles ISBN: 9780323065580

Periodontics. Eley, Manson & Soory:6th edition 2010: ISBN: 978-0-7020-3065-9

Periodontology at a Glance: Clerehugh, Tugnait & Genco: ISBN: 978-1-4051-2383-9

Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness (12^th Ed) ISBN: 9780702053252

Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. Berkovitz, Holland, Moxham. ISBN: 9780723434115