Unit outline_

ORHL2101: Foundations of Oral Health III

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit of study continues to deepen the knowledge and understanding of students in periodontics, cariology and health promotion, and introduce paediatrics.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Discipline of Oral Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ORHL1201
Corequisites
? 
ORHL2102 and ORHL2104
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Kyle Cheng, kyle.cheng@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written exam hurdle task Integrated Theory and Paediatrics Final Exam
Written paper with multiple-choice and short-answer style questions covering all Paediatric and Integrated Theory lectures in this unit
50% Formal exam period 2 hours AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Out-of-class quiz Early Feedback Task Early Feedback Quiz
Online quiz with 10 multiple-choice questions
0% Week 03
Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 23:59
20 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Written work Oral Health Promotion Program Proposal (Oral Health in Society)
Written Assessment
30% Week 07
Due date: 17 Apr 2026 at 23:59
1000 Words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
Out-of-class quiz In-semester Test 1 (Paediatrics and Integrated Theory)
Online quiz with 25 multiple-choice questions covering Paediatrics and Integrated Theory lectures up to week 4 (inclusive)
10% Week 09
Due date: 01 May 2026 at 23:59
30 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Out-of-class quiz In-Semester Test 2 (Paediatrics and Integrated Theory)
Online quiz with 25 multiple-choice questions covering Paediatrics and Integrated Theory lectures from week 5 to 9 (inclusive)
10% Week 11
Due date: 15 May 2026 at 23:59
30 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
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

Summative Written Examinations: Task description:

These are summative closed book written examinations. In semester 1, written examinations will be given during the Assessment period.

These examinations may involve the following assessment formats:

• SBA This is a multiple choice or single best answer examination where the student must select the correct answer from four or five options and extended matching questions, where there may be more options to choose the correct answer. It is designed to test theoretical understanding, and the application of concepts to practical situations, and covers learning outcomesas listed in above table.

• MEQ Modified essay questions are short answer questions. Assessment criteria: Criteria that reflect the acceptable standard and performance at a high standard will be applied to this assessment. Other information: See the Learning Management System (LMS) site for other essential information on this assessment.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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.

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
Week -01 Fissure Protection (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO1 LO5
Tooth Conservation for Primary and Mixed Dentition (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 01 Introduction to Oral Lesions (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO1 LO5
Consent for the Child (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO6
Project Management (Oral Health in Society) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 02 Diagnosis and Management of Pain (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Treatment Planning for Paediatric Patient (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1
NSW Health Promotion Programs (Oral Health in Society) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 03 Treatment Planning for Adult Restorative Patient (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1 LO5
Case-Based Learning 1 (Paediatrics) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1
Australia’s National Oral Health Plan and Developing OHP Programs (Oral Health in Society) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 04 Management of Patients with Diabetes (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1
Behavioural Management of Paediatric Patients (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Health Promotion Programs (Oral Health in Society) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6
Week 05 Management of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1.5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1
Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Cultural Considerations in Oral Health Therapy (Oral Health in Society) Lecture (1 hr) LO6
Week 06 Management of the Medically Compromised Patient (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1.5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1
Childhood Diseases (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO1
Oral Health Advocacy, and Why It's Important (Oral Health in Society) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 07 Case-Based Learning 1 (Integrated Theory) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1 LO5 LO6
Case-Based Learning 2 (Paediatrics) Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Effects of Smoking and Smoking Cessation (integrated theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO1 LO5
Assessment of Pulp Status and rationale for treatment (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 09 Periodontal Phenotypes, Recession and Anomalies (integrated theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO1
Pulpotomy in Primary Molars (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1 LO5
Week 10 Periodontal Risk Assessment, Prognosis and Supportive Periodontal Maintenance (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO1
Stainless Steel Crown Techniques (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1 LO5
Week 11 Halitosis (Integrated Theory) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Exodontia 1 - Rationale (Paediatrics) Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Week 12 Case-Based Learning 2 (Integrated Theory) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1 LO5 LO6
Case-Based Learning 3 (Paediatrics) Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Final Exam Revision (Paediatrics) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO1

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.

Required readings

Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry 5th Edn 2021 Angus Cameron (Editor) Richard Widmer (Editor)

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. discuss medical conditions that require special precautions or considerations prior to or during periodontal and restorative treatment and demonstrate a consolidation of knowledge, evidence-based practice and critical reasoning
  • LO2. discuss the factors, which influence an individual’s susceptibility to caries and periodontal disease and the role of the oral health therapist in the treatment of various conditions
  • LO3. apply prevention, protective and operative interventions of the caries management system to develop a tailored oral health care plan for all ages
  • LO4. describe in detail different types of research methodologies, interpret statistical terminology and develop appropriate search strategies to answer clinical questions
  • LO5. effectively apply the best available evidence into practice in the clinic.
  • LO6. apply the social determinants of health to individuals and the community

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
Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist (2016) - ADC
1. Professionalism (covers personal values, attitudes and behaviours) - On graduation a dental practitioner must be able to:
1.1. demonstrate that patient safety is paramount in all decisions and actions
1.2. demonstrate appropriate caring behaviour towards patients and respect professional boundaries between themselves, patients, their families and members of the community
1.3. demonstrate all interactions focus on the patient’s best interests and provide patient-centred care, respect patients’ dignity, rights and choices
1.4. recognise professional and individual scopes of practice
1.5. recognise the importance of continuing professional development for all members of the dental team
1.6. understand the ethical principles and their application underpinning the provision of dental care
1.8. understand the principles of efficient, effective and equitable utilisation of resources, and recognise local and national needs in health care and service delivery across Australia’s geographical areas
1.9. provide culturally safe and culturally competent practice that includes recognition of the distinct needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to oral health care provision
2. Communication and Leadership (covers the ability to work cooperatively and to communicate effectively) - On graduation a dental practitioner must be able to:
2.6. understand the importance of intra and interprofessional approaches to health care
3. Critical Thinking (covers the acquisition and application of knowledge) - On graduation a dental practitioner must be able to:
3.1. locate and evaluate evidence in a critical and scientific manner to support oral health care
3.2. apply clinical reasoning and judgement in a reflective approach to oral health care
3.3. understand scientific method and the role of research in advancing knowledge and clinical practice
4. Health Promotion (covers health education and the promotion of health in the community) - On graduation a dental practitioner must be able to:
4.1. understand the determinants of health, risk factors and behaviours that influence health
4.2. understand the theories and principles of health promotion
4.3. understand health promotion strategies to promote oral and general health
4.4. understand the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based health promotion
5. Scientific and Clinical Knowledge (covers the underlying knowledge base required by dental practitioners) - On graduation a dental hygienist/dental therapist/oral health therapist must be able to:
5.1. understand the biological, physical and behavioural sciences in relation to oral health and disease
5.2. understand the theories and principles of population oral health
5.6. understand the principles of pharmacology and the risks in using therapeutic agents
6.1.3. select necessary clinical, pathology and other diagnostic procedures and interpret results
6.1.5. evaluate individual patient risk factors for oral disease
6.1.6. maintain accurate, objective, legible and contemporaneous records of patient management and protect patient privacy
6.2. Diagnosis and Management Planning (covers the identification of disease or abnormalities that require treatment or investigation) - On graduation a dental hygienist/dental therapist/oral health therapist must be able to:
6.2.1. recognise health as it relates to the individual
6.2.2. diagnose disease or abnormalities of the dentition, mouth and associated structures and identify conditions which require management
6.2.3. determine the impact of risk factors, systemic disease and medications on oral health and treatment planning
6.2.4. formulate and record a patient-centred evidence-based oral health treatment plan
6.2.5. determine when and how to refer patients to the appropriate health professional
6.3.3C. On graduation an oral health therapist must be able to: manage non-surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the periodontium and supporting tissues of the teeth or their replacements
6.3.4. manage oral conditions and diseases, pain and pathology of the dentition, mouth and associated structures
6.3.6. administer pharmaceutical agents
6.3.7. evaluate and monitor the progress of treatment and oral health outcomes
6.3.8. manage dental emergencies
6.3.9. manage medical emergencies

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

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