302930 v.2 Associate Degree in School Dental Therapy

AssocDSchDenTher(Curtin)

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Introduction
The school dental therapist is an educator and motivator who has an important role in educating the community in the principles of preventive dentistry and in motivating individuals into taking responsibility for their own oral health. This role is usually undertaken on a personal basis within a school dental clinic or alternatively through dealing with small community groups. The school dental therapist is a member of the dental team and works under the direction of a dentist to provide appropriate dental care for patients. School dental therapists perform a range of clinical duties, including fillings in children's teeth, scaling and cleaning of teeth, the application of fluoride and other solutions to teeth and gums, local analgesia, dental radiography, impression taking and simple extractions for children.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
None. Human Biology or Biology desirable.

Specific Requirements
Based on academic performance, candidates are required to attend an interview and, as it is necessary to perform exceptionally fine work with the hands, applicants are also required to perform a simple carving exercise to assess their manual dexterity. Interviews and dexterity tests are normally held early in January. STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening/Clearance Section of this publication. Prospective students should consult the Head of the Department of Dental Hygiene and Therapy for specific information regarding this course. A certificate showing successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to first year, second semester studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability
This course is two years full-time study. Additional clinical hours are required during inter semester breaks.

Course Organisation
The course commences with a study of relevant biomedical sciences together with preventive dentistry and pre-clinical techniques. These subjects are further developed with behavioural units in second year and cover a broad field relating to practical and clinical aspects of school dental therapy and to community dentistry.

Professional Recognition
Graduates are required to register with the Dental Board of Western Australia. Registration permits the school dental therapist to work within the School Dental Service.

Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
302467	v.2		Introduction to Microbiology 132	3.0	12.5
302932	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 131	4.0	12.5
302934	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 133	13.0	25.0
6954	v.2		Dental Biology 135	4.0	25.0
7099	v.6		Preventive Dentistry 135	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
11779	v.2		Preventive Dentistry 136	2.0	12.5
11780	v.2		Oral Microbiology 136	2.0	12.5
302937	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 132	3.5	12.5
302938	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 134	18.0	25.0
303456	v.2		Applied Oral Biology 136	5.0	25.0
7865	v.4		Pathology 136	2.0	12.5
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
13019	v.2		Psychology 123	3.0	25.0
302940	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 231	4.0	12.5
302948	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 233	24.0	50.0
7100	v.7		Preventive Dentistry 235	2.0	12.5
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
2403	v.5		Behavioural Science 280	2.0	12.5
302949	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 232	3.5	25.0
302979	v.2		Clinical Dentistry 234	23.0	50.0
8391	v.7		Oral Pathology and Medicine 236	3.0	12.5
					100.0