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Unit outline_

DENT5101: Foundations for Population Oral Health

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit will provide students with an advanced understanding of the importance of population oral health in relation to the wider context of dentistry. This unit focuses on the determinants of oral health and the importance of upstream measures to address the root causes of oral diseases and the planning, implementing and evaluating of these approaches. In taking a population-level approach to the management of oral health and well-being, students will develop understanding of key interventions such as community water fluoridation. The sociological aspects of oral health and the dental profession will also be explored and students will learn about planning and implementing oral health policies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Discipline of Population Oral Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Comprehensive knowledge in all aspects of General Dentistry, particularly in Restorative Dentistry and Oral Rehabilitation

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Woosung Sohn, woosung.sohn@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Arash Ghanbarzadegan, arash.ghanbarzadegan@sydney.edu.au
Bradley Christian, bradley.christian@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Critical Review of the Filling the Gap paper
This assignment is for you to write a critical review and analysis
40% Week 07
Due date: 04 Apr 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Project Development
Project plan: identiify problem, aims, methods, budget and evaluation plan
60% Week 11
Due date: 09 May 2023 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Principles ot population health/population oral health; Inequalities in oral health and inequalities in access to oral health care Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 determinants of oral health Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Planning and implementing population health and health promotion programs Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 06 Evaluating population health and health promotion programs Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Common risk tactor approach and relevance to periodontal disease; Dental health services and orientation to management o inter-connected conditions Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 09 oral health system Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Role of health promotion in population oral health Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO7
Week 11 Oral Health Policy Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Population Oral Health in action Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Global Oral Health Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7

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. apply the key elements of population health to the context of oral health
  • LO2. demonstrate understanding of why social, economic and environmental factors influence the health of people more than health care
  • LO3. outline the sociological aspects of oral health and the dental profession. This includes demonstrating understanding of concepts of medicalisation and the relevance of these to population oral health
  • LO4. recognise why a multidisciplinary approach is required to develop model approaches and best practices for oral health promotion and disease prevention
  • LO5. apply the whole-team approach to the prevention and treatment of dental disease
  • LO6. display understanding of claims made against water fluoridation and empathise with those who object with water fluoridation as a public health intervention
  • LO7. outline why population preventive programs provide more health gains than prevention at an individual level

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
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately
1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health
1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession.
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
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature
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.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients.
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
LO2
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health
1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations
1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession.
2.b. communicating effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development, social and cultural background
LO3
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately
1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health
1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations
1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s
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
2.b. communicating effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development, social and cultural background
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients.
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.1.c. managing complications.
LO4
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately
1.b. practising with personal and professional integrity, honesty and trustworthiness
1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations
1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession.
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
4.1.c. development, anatomy, physiology and pathology of hard and soft tissues of the head and neck
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients.
5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.1.c. managing complications.
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
LO5
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately
1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations
1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s
1.f. understanding and applying legislation including that related to record-keeping
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession.
2.b. communicating effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development, social and cultural background
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients.
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery
4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.1.c. managing complications.
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO6
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately
1.b. practising with personal and professional integrity, honesty and trustworthiness
1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health
1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations
1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s
1.f. understanding and applying legislation including that related to record-keeping
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession.
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
2.b. communicating effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development, social and cultural background
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO7
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession.
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients.
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.

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

This is the first time this unit has been 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

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