Unit outline_

ORHL3203: Comprehensive Oral Health Management II

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit of study aims to tie together all of the clinical and theoretical knowledge gained through evidence based oral health clinical practice related to the scope of practice for Oral Health Therapists. Tutorials involve more complex case-based learning , encouraging the integration and application of critical thinking and clinical decision-making based on evidence.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Discipline of Oral Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ORHL3103
Corequisites
? 
ORHL3201 and ORHL3202
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator William Carlson-Jones, william.carlsonjones@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Oral exam hurdle task Summative Oral Comprehensive (ORHL3203)
Oral comprehensive: Please see CANVAS for more information.
30% Formal exam period 20 minutes (oral) AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Portfolio or journal Portfolio Plan Semester 2
Portfolio Plan Semester 2
10% Week 02
Due date: 14 Aug 2026 at 23:59
- AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6
Portfolio or journal Portfolio Part 4: Record keeping self-reflection assessment
Self-reflection on good recording keeping assessment
20% Week 05
Due date: 04 Sep 2026 at 23:59
- AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Portfolio or journal Portfolio Part 5
Portfolio Part 5
20% Week 08
Due date: 25 Sep 2025 at 23:59
- AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Oral test Formative Oral Comprehensive
Oral comprehensive: Please see CANVAS for more information.
0% Week 11
Due date: 22 Oct 2026 at 23:59
20 minutes (oral) AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Portfolio or journal Portfolio Part 6
Portfolio Part 6
20% Week 11
Due date: 23 Oct 2025 at 23:59
- AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

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.

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. 

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:

-5% deducted per day late, after 10 days late 0% is awarded as per the university's late assessment policy.

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 Introduction to ORHL3203 and Assessments Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO1 LO3
Week 02 Case-based learning 1 Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Week 04 Case-based learning 2 Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Week 06 Case-based learning 3 Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Week 08 Case-based learning 4 Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Case-based learning 5 Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Week 09 Student-led case discussions 1 Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Preparation for the Oral Comprehensive Exam Tutorial (1 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Week 10 Student-led case discussion 2 Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3
Week 13 Feedback from the Formative Oral Comprehensive Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO3

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. Develop a portfolio which evaluates and reflects on multiple aspects of oral health therapy practice, supported by evidence-based sources, in order to achieve the standards required of a newly graduated oral health therapist.
  • LO2. Devise and justify evidence-based treatment plans for patient care based on assessment of histories, oral health status, diagnosis, risk assessment, and aligned with the phases of care framework.
  • LO3. Justify and evaluate clinical decision making in the diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention and control of disease, in order to provide safe and effective patient care within the oral health therapy scope of practice.
  • LO4. Justify the use of diagnostic tests, study models, intraoral photographs and vitality testing, and prioritise the findings of such additional assessment data.
  • LO5. Evaluate a diagnostic summary of a patient case with a thorough and systematic analysis of relevant patient data and risk factors.
  • LO6. Organise and prioritise work-based oral health therapy tasks in order to demonstrate effective time management.

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.

Increased variety of case studies have been included.

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

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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