Courses Handbook 2007 - [ Archived ]

302930 v.2 Associate Degree in School Dental Therapy


AssocDSchDentTher(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas

Introduction

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. 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 theirown 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.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

General University entry requirements apply. TEE Human Biology or Biology are desirable prerequisites.

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 in December and early January as results become available and can be arranged by distance. Applicants will need to provide the name and contact details of a suitable person (for example a Justice of the Peace) to oversee the dexterity assessment. STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q. Preference is given to year 12 students and those living in rural or remote areas. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and 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. This course is conducted at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA, on the Bentley Campus and in Dental Health Services' Clinic atMt Henry). Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including the Department's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Course Organisation

In the first year students study - relevant biomedical sciences including general and oral anatomy, histology, physiology and microbiology, disease processes and the main dental diseases, prevention of dental diseases and clinical techniques that school dental therapists perform. Second year students study communication and patient management, interrelationships between oral diseases and non-oral diseases, interrelationships between the different oral health fields, prevention of dental diseases at thecommunity level, interpretation of the dental literature and clinical school dental therapy procedures. Practical sessions run throughout the two years. Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care. Students will need to able to work as part of a team and should enjoy communicating and establishing rapport with persons of all cultural backgrounds and ages. Clinical experience commences late in the second semester and continues through the second year.

Professional Recognition

Graduates intending to work in Western Australia are required to register with the Dental Board of Western Australia. Registration permits the school dental therapist to work within the School Dental Service. Graduates are required to undertake two yearsof unrestricted service, which may include working in country locations for those two years.

Additional Course Expenses

Students are expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials. Protective clinical uniform and shoes are purchased during first semester.

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 4.5 12.5
302934 v.2   Clinical Dentistry 133 12.5 25.0
6954 v.4   Dental Biology 135 4.0 25.0
7099 v.7   Preventive Dentistry 135 4.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 1 Semester 2
11779 v.3   Preventive Dentistry 136 2.0 12.5
11780 v.3   Oral Microbiology 136 2.0 12.5
302937 v.2   Clinical Dentistry 132 4.0 12.5
302938 v.2   Clinical Dentistry 134 10.5 25.0
303456 v.3   Applied Oral Biology 136 5.0 25.0
7865 v.5   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 22.0 50.0
7100 v.8   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.3   Clinical Dentistry 232 4.5 25.0
302979 v.2   Clinical Dentistry 234 20.0 50.0
8391 v.8   Oral Pathology and Medicine 236 3.0 12.5
  100.0
 

Availability

Year Location   All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2007 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.



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