| CODE | RDN1002 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 2 - Conservative Dentistry | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Restorative Dentistry | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the discipline of conservative dentistry, with particular focus on the various roles of the dental assistant within this dental specialty. Upon completion of this study unit, students will be sufficiently knowledgeable to work effectively within the dental team involved in conservative dentistry, thereby contributing to the provision of a high standard of dental care and oral rehabilitation for patients. Study-unit Aims: To provide a structured, well laid-out theoretical course that will: a) Give students the knowledge required to be competent in conservative dentistry assisting; b) Set a solid foundation for students to be able to progress and provide a high standard of assisting in their forthcoming practical/clinical placements. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define conservative dentistry and its different branches; - List the indications for operative and endodontic treatment in clinical practice; - Describe the aetiology, classify, and list methods of diagnosing caries, toothwear, and pulpal pathoses; - Classify and illustrate the different types of restorations performed in operative dentistry; - Describe the general principles of cavity preparation in operative dentistry and relate the principle of minimally invasive dentistry; - Describe the different types of tooth whitening procedures; - Describe the clinical steps involved in carrying out endodontic procedures; - Identify and describe different methods of isolation and moisture control in conservative dentistry; - Discuss the principles and procedures involved in the restoration of teeth, including matricing, handling of various materials, and finishing/polishing of restorations; - Relate and appreciate the role of the dental assistant in the preventive aspects of conservative dentistry and in maintaining the restored dentition; - Recall the principles of infection control as applied to conservative dentistry. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise the importance of conservative dentistry in bringing about enhanced oral health, as well as improved general well-being for patients; - Explain various clinical procedures to patients; - Confidently prepare the armamentarium necessary for conservative dentistry procedures in a sequential and organised manner; - Recognise and discuss the duties of the dental assistant in various routine clinical procedures especially with respect to isolation, improving visibility for the dentist, and optimising patient comfort; - Follow infection control policies in all conservative dentistry procedures; - Interpret and complete conservative dentistry charting on patient records; - Provide patients with appropriate post-operative instructions; - Explore theoretical knowledge through further reading and research. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text: 1. Title: Contemporary Dental Assisting Author: Darlene Novak Edition: 1st ISBN-10: 0801677327 ISBN-13: 978-0801677328 2. Title: Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Dental Assisting Authors: Betty Ladley Finkbeiner, Claudia Sullens Johnson Edition: 1st ISBN-10: 0815133030 ISBN-13: 978-0815133032 |
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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, Independent Study & Practicum | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Brendan Cini Manisha Rahaman Monique Cutajar |
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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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