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Unit of study_

DENT5031: Behaviour Management

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

The student must understand the sociology and psychology of pain and behavioural responses of patients to dental treatment and their implications for the effective practice of dentistry. The student must understand the different psychological aspects of phobias and the behavioural responses of children to dental treatment. This course covers aspects of child behavioural development and its relevance to patient management. The course will cover non-pharmacological control of pain and anxiety and behaviour shaping, including hypnosis. Pharmacological control of pain and anxiety, including local anaesthesia, relative analgesia and oral and IV sedation. General anaesthesia, including child assessment and hospital protocols and emergencies in dental and hospital practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DENT5031
Academic unit Discipline of Orthodontic and Paediatric Dentistry
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Neeta Prabhu, neeta.prabhu@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Theory exam
Essay response and short answer
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Viva voce
Oral exam
25% Formal exam period n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation hurdle task Didactic session participation
Participation, literature review
20% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Clinical logbook
Logbook
0% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Continuous clinical assessment
Clinical assessment
25% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Apply behaviour managment techniques in clinical practice

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assessment Procedures 2011: Late penalties

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 05 Behaviour modification in paediatric dentistry Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 07 Pharmacological behaviour management Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Attendance is a professional responsibility required of all students admitted to academic programs within the Sydney Dental School. All programs in the Sydney Dental School have a 90% attendance policy, for all compulsory components of Units of Study, as detailed in the Faculty of Dentistry Attendance Provisions 2015. This includes all clinical and practical sessions. The course requirements cannot be satisfied if more than 10% of any section of a course is missed for any reason.

  • Professionalism: Students in all Sydney Dental School programs are subject to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Requirements 2019 and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Provisions 2019. Professionalism is an essential component of developing competency to practice. It is important for students to demonstrate professional behaviour in all contexts and environments. In accordance with these local provisions: candidates who demonstrate serious or repeated unprofessional behaviour may be required to show cause as to why their enrolment should be continued. Failure to show cause may result in exclusion from the course.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe and apply clinically non-pharmacological control of pain and anxiety
  • LO2. describe general behavioural concepts and demonstrate proficiency at applying them clinically
  • LO3. identify and evaluate various aspects of child psychology
  • LO4. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the provision of sedation for the control of pain
  • LO5. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the provision of conscious sedation
  • LO6. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the provision of dental care under general anaesthesia.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Paediatric Dentistry - DBA
2.a. identifying and understanding a patient’s, or their parent’s, guardian’s or carer’s expectations, desires and attitudes when planning and delivering specialist treatment
4.2.d. application of psychological development and behavioural management techniques
LO2
Paediatric Dentistry - DBA
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.2.d. application of psychological development and behavioural management techniques
5.2.a. providing oral health care to paediatric patients
LO3
Paediatric Dentistry - DBA
4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
LO4
Paediatric Dentistry - DBA
4.2.d. application of psychological development and behavioural management techniques
4.2.e. the principles and application of pharmacology, and
4.2.f. the appropriate use of sedation and anaesthetic techniques.
5.2.a. providing oral health care to paediatric patients
LO5
Paediatric Dentistry - DBA
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.c. development, anatomy, physiology and pathology of hard and soft tissues of the head and neck
4.2.e. the principles and application of pharmacology, and
4.2.f. the appropriate use of sedation and anaesthetic techniques.
5.2.a. providing oral health care to paediatric patients
LO6
Paediatric Dentistry - DBA
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.c. development, anatomy, physiology and pathology of hard and soft tissues of the head and neck
4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients.
4.2.e. the principles and application of pharmacology, and
4.2.f. the appropriate use of sedation and anaesthetic techniques.
5.2.a. providing oral health care to paediatric patients

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Work, health and safety

Students must comply with work health and safety, infection control and dress standard policies of all laboratories, placement sites and Local Health Districts (LHDs).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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