Unit outline_

ORHL1202: Oral Health Clinical Practice II

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit, students continue to develop the skills needed for Periodontal Instrumentation and Tooth Conservation in a simulation environment, and begin observational placements. Additionally, students continue to build on foundational theory and practice of dental radiography, professionalism and ethics, communication and motivational behaviour change.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Discipline of Oral Health
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
ORHL1102
Corequisites
? 
ORHL1201 and ORHL1204
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Melinda Lawther, melinda.lawther@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew Terry, a.terry@sydney.edu.au
Katharina Alves Rabelo, katharina.alvesrabelo@sydney.edu.au
Melinda Lawther, melinda.lawther@sydney.edu.au
Melanie Aley, melanie.aley@sydney.edu.au
Jennifer Mardini, jennifer.mardini@sydney.edu.au
William Carlson-Jones, william.carlsonjones@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Practical exam
? 
hurdle task
Radiology Summative Practical Exam
Summative Practical Exam
25% Formal exam period 30 minutes AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO4
Practical exam
? 
hurdle task
Periodontal Instrumentation SIM Examination
Practical Assessment
18% Formal exam period 1 hour AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Practical exam
? 
Periodontal Clinical Skills Lab Examination
Practical assessment
12% Formal exam period 30 minutes AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Practical exam
? 
hurdle task
Tooth Conservation Practical Assessment
Practical assessment
25% Formal exam period 2 hours AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Continuous Clinical Assessment: Periodontal Instrumentation
Ongoing Practical Clinical Assessment
0% Multiple weeks Multiple weeks AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Continuous Clinical Assessment - Tooth Conservation
Ongoing continuous clinical assessment
10% Multiple weeks Multiple weeks AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
In-class quiz Radiology Theory Quiz
In-class
5% Multiple weeks 30 mins AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Peer or expert observation or supervision Participation in clinical and preclinical sessions
Participation in clinical and preclinical sessions
0% Ongoing As rostered to sessions AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Out-of-class quiz Early Feedback Task Early Feedback Quiz
Online Quiz
0% Week 03
Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59
30min AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
In-class quiz Periodontal Theory Canvas Quiz
In-Class Quiz (30 min)
5% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2025 at 09:30
30 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Written work Reflective observational assignment
Reflective assessment on observation placement
0% Week 13
Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59
500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

All assessments must be submitted by the due date. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form will incur penalties.

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

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

Late penalties will apply once the due date and time has passed. The closing date (if specified) is the final date for late submissions; after this date no submissions will be accepted. 

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 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. 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
Multiple weeks Periodontics SIM Simulation laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Tooth Conservation SIM Simulation laboratory (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Radiology SIM Simulation laboratory (1.5 hr) LO4 LO5
Observational clinical placement Clinical practice (3 hr) LO4 LO6
Periodontics Lectures Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Tooth Conservation Lectures Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Radiology Lectures Lecture (1 hr) LO5
Radiology Lectures Online class (1 hr) LO5
Professional Practice Lectures Lecture (1 hr) LO6
Radiology Tutorials Tutorial (2 hr) LO5
Week -01 Clinical Observation Orientation Clinical practice (6 hr) LO4 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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 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. Select and use safe and effective periodontal instrumentation skills in a simulated environment, in preparation for direct patient care
  • LO2. Select and use safe and effective psychomotor skills in preventive and restorative dentistry in a simulated environment, in preparation for direct patient care
  • LO3. Select and use a minimal intervention approach to dentistry, in order to maximise conservation of tooth structure
  • LO4. Explain and implement infection control/occupational health and safety guidelines in simulated and clinical environments
  • LO5. Apply the principles, effects and hazards of x- radiation and the application of radiology within oral diagnosis and correctly select and use radiographic techniques
  • LO6. Apply the fundamentals of professionalism and ethics, and in order to demonstrate professional conduct and effective patient communication

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

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

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.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.