DEOH401 Adult Restorative Dental Care

Overview

The knowledge and competencies to enable registered and practising dental therapists and oral health therapists to provide restorative care to patients aged 18 years and older.

DEOH 401 includes a two-week on-campus block course at the commencement of the course (first two weeks of course).

About this paper

Prerequisite

DEOH 201

Notes

Prerequisite may be waived for students with particular prior education or experience. Please contact university@otago.ac.nzfor more information.

Eligibility

Enrolments for this paper are limited, and it requires departmental permission. View more information about limitations of enrolment.

DEOH 401 is designed for dental therapists and oral health therapists to enable them to upskill and add the scope of Adult Care in Dental Therapy Practice to their scope of practice (dental therapists) or remove the restorative exclusion from their scope of practice for patients aged over 18 years (oral health therapists).

All students/applicants will:

• Be registered with the New Zealand Dental Council (DCNZ) and hold a current practising certificate as a dental therapist or oral health therapist.
• Have at least two years’ clinical experience post-graduation, particularly in restorative dental care.
• Demonstrate a commitment to understanding and achieving equity in oral health outcomes.
• Be able to provide restorative dental care in their own practice, to a patient group aged 18 years and older for a minimum of 80 hours for the duration of the paper’s enrolment.
• Have a mentor (dentist or oral health therapist) who holds a current practising certificate with the DCNZ in the relevant scope of practice, and who will be available to assess specified patient care and procedures completed by the student.

Note: DEOH 401 includes a two-week on-campus block course at the commencement of the course (first two weeks of course), and a further clinical block course in the following January/February.

Contact

postgrad.dentistry@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Susan Moffat & Ms Mitten McLean

Teaching Arrangements

There is a compulsory two-week on-campus introductory block course held in Dunedin at the commencement of the course, and a further clinical block course in the following January/February.

Please also note that dental therapists may require an additional two-day course scheduled immediately prior to the block course.

Textbooks

Available online through University library but strongly recommended that students have their own copies:

• Jeske AH (2022). Mosby’s Dental Drug Reference (13th edition). Elsevier. 
• Kerr AR, Miller CS, Rhodus NL, Stoopler ET,  Treister NS (2023). Little and Falace’s Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient (10th edition). Elsevier.

Available online through University library:

• Bannergee A, Watson TF, Pickard HM (associated with work) (2020). Pickard's guide to minimally invasive operative dentistry (10th edition). Oxford University Press.
• Ritte AV, Boushell LW, Walter RW (2019). Sturdevant's Art and Science of Operative Dentistry (7th edition). Elsevier.
• Malamed SF, Orr DL (2015). Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office (7th edition). Elsevier.

Students also should have the following:

• Daily access to a camera in clinic (can be a high-quality phone camera)
• A set of intraoral photography mirrors
• A  pulse oximeter 
• A blood pressure monitor 
• A glucose meter blood sugar monitor

With the exception of the camera, the above items can be purchased online for approximately $100 (total). 
 

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of DEOH401, students are expected to demonstrate:

Understanding of current scientific dental related knowledge:

• Understanding of the current biological, physical, cultural, social and psychological factors involved in dental and oral disease, and the attainment and maintenance of oral health for patients 18 years and older

Ability to obtain patient information:

• Obtain by interview and examination patient information relevant to the delivery of oral health care. Record client or patient information logically, legibly and securely

Ability to analyse client or patient information and plan an oral health care programme:

• Assess information in order to identify oral health problems and formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for patients 18 years and older, that addresses the aetiology of dental and oral disease, the attainment and maintenance of oral health, priority of management, patient options, and predicted outcome

Ability to provide or make provision for oral health care:

• To communicate to the patient the requirements of an oral health care plan in order to obtain informed consent and, where necessary, carry out agreed procedures and manage any complications, or refer the client or patient to an appropriate health professional

Ability to communicate effectively:

• To be able to effectively communicate with, and/or educate, patients, other health workers, and the public on oral health matters

Ability to maintain competence:

• By self-monitoring of the outcomes of delivery of oral health care and undertaking continuing personal professional development/life-long learning

Understanding the legal requirements for practice:

• An understanding of the ethical responsibilities and legislation concerning safe practice
• Understanding of the implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the delivery of oral health care

Ability to work within a team and understand the roles of the various team members:

• Seek support and guidance from colleagues as necessary or refer when treatment is outside scope of practice
• A commitment to improving oral health and reducing oral health inequities

Timetable