Overview
Contemporary evidence-based approach to clinical general dentistry involving delivery of culturally safe general dental practice to individuals and the community.
About this paper
| Paper title | The Dentist and Patient Care |
|---|---|
| Subject | Dentistry |
| EFTS | 0.7167 |
| Points | 86 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Full Year (16 February 2026 - 7 November 2026)
(On campus)
Full Year (16 February 2026 - 7 November 2026) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $14,002.88 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- BDS
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Course Coordinator:
- Textbooks
Students are expected to take advantage of the library facilities, student learning and development centre and e-resources that are available at the University of Otago. References relevant to content will be provided in Lecture handouts.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of the DENT 531 students are expected to demonstrate the ability to:
- Understand Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Treaty of Waitangi and the application of the principles to clinical practice
- Describe the Māori world view of hauora, tikanga and kawa and apply this knowledge to their practice
- Demonstrate that a patient’s cultural beliefs, values and practices influence their perceptions of health, illness and disease; their health care practices; their interactions with health professionals and the health care system; and treatment preferences.
- Reflect on their own culture (including their own biases, attitudes, assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices and characteristics) and its impact on clinical interactions and the care they provide, including delivery of patient care.
- Understand the inherent power imbalance that exists in the practitioner-patient relationship and commit to work in partnership with their patients and whānau or family to enable culturally safe care.
- Understand the relationship between oral health and general health in the delivery of oral healthcare.
- Understand the relationship between oral health and general health in the delivery of oral healthcare.
- Understand of the current biological, physical, cultural, social and psychological factors involved in dental and oral disease and the attainment and maintenance of health.
- Obtain by interview and examination patient information relevant to the delivery of oral health care and record patient information and treatment logically, legibly and securely.
- Assess and analyse information to identify oral health problems and formulate an evidence-based individualised treatment plan that is culturally acceptable and appropriate and addresses the aetiology of dental and oral disease, the attainment and maintenance of oral health, priority of management, patient options, and predicted outcome.
- Provide or make provision for patient- centered oral health care and critically reflect on outcomes.
- Communicate with a patient/caregiver/whanau the requirements of an oral health care plan and future needs in order to obtain informed consent, and where necessary carry out agreed treatment and manage any complications, or refer the patient to an appropriate health professional.
- Objectively assess both short term and long-term outcomes of oral health strategies.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with and/or educate the dental team, other health workers, and the public on oral health matters.
- Maintain competence by self- reflection and learning to inform changes in practice and undertake continuing personal professional development.
- Understand and meet the legal requirements related to the practice of dentistry in New Zealand.
- Understand of the ethical responsibilities and legislation concerning the safe practice of dentistry in New Zealand.
Timetable
Overview
Contemporary evidence-based approach to clinical general dentistry involving delivery of culturally safe general dental practice to individuals and the community.
About this paper
| Paper title | The Dentist and Patient Care |
|---|---|
| Subject | Dentistry |
| EFTS | 0.7167 |
| Points | 86 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Full Year (22 February 2027 - 13 November 2027)
(On campus)
Full Year (22 February 2027 - 13 November 2027) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- BDS
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Peter Cathro
- Textbooks
Students are expected to take advantage of the library facilities, student learning and development centre and e-resources that are available at the University of Otago. References relevant to the content will be provided in the lecture handouts.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of the DENT 531 students are expected to demonstrate the ability to:
- Understand Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi and the application of the principles to clinical practice.
- Describe the Māori world view of hauora, tikanga and kawa and apply this knowledge to their practice.
- Demonstrate that a patient's cultural beliefs, values and practices influence their perceptions of health, illness and disease; their health care practices; their interactions with health professionals and the health care system; and treatment preferences.
- Reflect on their own culture (including their own biases, attitudes, assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices and characteristics) and its impact on clinical interactions and the care they provide, including delivery of patient care.
- Understand the inherent power imbalance that exists in the practitioner-patient relationship and commit to working in partnership with their patients and whānau or family to enable culturally safe care.
- Understand the relationship between oral health and general health in the delivery of oral healthcare.
- Understanding of the current biological, physical, cultural, social and psychological factors involved in dental and oral disease and the attainment and maintenance of health.
- Obtain by interview and examination patient information relevant to the delivery of oral health care and record patient information and treatment logically, legibly and securely.
- Assess and analyse information to identify oral health problems and formulate an evidence-based individualised treatment plan that is culturally acceptable and appropriate and addresses the aetiology of dental and oral disease, the attainment and maintenance of oral health, priority of management, patient options and predicted outcome.
- Provide or make provision for patient- centered oral health care and critically reflect on outcomes.
- Communicate with a patient/caregiver/whānau the requirements of an oral health care plan and future needs in order to obtain informed consent, and where necessary carry out agreed treatment and manage any complications, or refer the patient to an appropriate health professional.
- Objectively assess both short-term and long-term outcomes of oral health strategies.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with, and/or educate, the dental team, other health workers and the public on oral health matters.
- Maintain competence by self- reflection and learning to inform changes in practice and undertake continuing personal professional development.
- Understand and meet the legal requirements related to the practice of dentistry in New Zealand.
- Understand the ethical responsibilities and legislation concerning the safe practice of dentistry in New Zealand.