| Unit name | Oral Medicine |
|---|---|
| Unit code | DENT40001 |
| Credit points | 0 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Luker |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Dental School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
The Teaching Unit comprises 3 Elements: 1. Oral and Dental Radiography and Radiology 2. Oral Medicine and Pathology 3. Oral Microbiology The Teaching Unit provides didactic and clinical teaching of disorders of the teeth and oro-facial tissues. The general aim is to promote an interest in, and knowledge of, oral disease within the context of oral health as part of total body health. The special needs of medically compromised patients are important aspects of the Division's teaching. The general objective is to produce a dental surgeon competent in the diagnosis and management of oral disease and who has a caring and sympathetic attitude towards patients. Oral Medicine & Pathology is taught didactically where it is closely integrated with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Oral Disease Course). There follows 3 terms of practical instruction where the essence of diagnosis and disease management is taught on the primary care unit, in consultant clinics and in the radiology unit. Year 2: The Element of Oral and Dental Radiography and Radiology is taught in year 2 and covers the theoretical aspect of adequate training combined with practical sessions to aid understanding of principles of radiation protection and dose reduction. The lecture course covers the requirements of Schedule 2 IRR(ME)R 2000. Staff teaching within the Element of Oral Medicine and Pathology provide lectures within the Oral Biology Unit. Year 3: The Element of Oral and Dental Radiography and Radiology is taught in year 3 and covers the practical component of this Element. Students will cover production of a radiographic image and intra-oral radiographic techniques and covers the requirements of Schedule 2 IRR(ME)R 2000. During this period students rotate in small groups to the dental radiology department where they undertake training in intra-oral radiographic techniques and oblique lateral radiography on a phantom head, progressing to supervised radiographic examination of a patient using intra-oral techniques and dental panoramic tomography. The radiological features of dental and oro-facial disorders are an integral part of each lecture given on the Oral Disease course in this year. Year 4: The Oral Disease Course is an integrated programme of didactic teaching which covers the clinico-pathological features of oro-facial disease and is covered in terms 1 & 2 of the 4th year. Practical chair-side teaching takes place in the primary care unit, on consultant clinics in oral medicine and oral surgery, maxillofacial radiology unit and oral surgery clinics. Problem-based learning and symposia also take place in this year. Year 5: Clinical radiographic techniques continue during this year and students continue with the ground floor rotation within the hospital and working in the primary care unit and consultant clinics.
