| CODE | ORC1007 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 7 - Periodontology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Oral Rehabilitation and Community Care | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is an introduction to periodontics and offers the students a theoretical understanding of the different methods available in the management of periodontal disease. It aims to help the aspiring dental surgery assistant to develop knowledge on periodontic procedures, as well as reinforce their role in the management of patients in this discipline. Study-unit Aims: The aims of this study-unit are to introduce the dental surgery assistant student to the discipline of Periodontics. It will discuss the various branches of this field, as well as the techniques and equipment used during patient treatment. The special link between this discipline and basic science shall be emphasized to enable students to effectively perform their role within the dental team in the management of periodontal disease. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: With respect to foundations of practice: 1. Recognise the structures and functions of the periodontium with particular reference to periodontal disease and treatment; 2. Explain the aetiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease (basic level); 3. Describe psychological aspects of behavioural change in relation to periodontal disease; 4. Explain the impact of medical conditions in relation to periodontal disease; 5. Discuss the effect of tobacco use and diet on periodontal disease and general health. With respect to patient assessment: 1. Explain the need for and describe the constituents of accurate and contemporaneous patient records, including a general oral health assessment and more specific periodontal charting; 2. Discuss records, images, equipment and materials used for clinical periodontal assessment. With respect to patient management: 1. Discuss effective communication and behavioural techniques that can be used to monitor, support and reassure patients throughout the course of periodontal therapy; 2. Explain the importance of advising patients on oral health maintenance for the success of periodontal therapy; 3. Recognise the need and make arrangements for follow up care as prescribed by the operator; 4. Describe the role of the dental assistant and other members of the Dental Team in the process of managing a periodontal patient; 5. Recognise the role of the dental assistant in providing chairside support to the operator during treatment. With respect to health promotion: 1. Describe the principles of preventive care, especially in relation to periodontal maintenance. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Accurately record an oral health assessment; 2. Accurately record periodontal charting; 3. Prepare the operatory as necessary for periodontal assessment and/or treatment, and use and maintain the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner; 4. Provide chairside support to the operator during treatment; 5. Monitor, support and reassure patients through effective communication and behavioural techniques; 6. Provide patients with accurate and effective oral health maintenance and preventive information in a manner that encourages self-care and motivation. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text: 1. Title: Levison's Textbook for Dental Nurses Author: Carole Hollins Edition: 11th ISBN no: ISBN-10: 111850044X ISBN-13: 978-1118500446 2. Title: Contemporary Dental Assisting Author: Darlene Novak Edition: 1st ISBN-10: 0801677327 ISBN-13: 978-0801677328 |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Attendance to scheduled sessions, inclusive of lectures/tutorials, practical, laboratory and clinical components is compulsory. Students who do not attend at least 90% of the scheduled sessions will not be allowed to sit for any of the assessment components mentioned below. | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Carmen Caruana Elizabeth Martinelli Veronica Montebello Rebecca Sammut |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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