UWA Handbook 2026

Unit Overview

Description

This unit builds on the fundamental knowledge and skills gained in the previous years of the DMD course. It is a continuation of the clinical disciplines that were introduced in the Integrated Dental Practice 1 and 2 (IDP 1, IDP 2) units – that is, Periodontics, Endodontics, Restorative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. In addition, the relevant concepts of general surgery, general anaesthesia, oral medicine, orofacial pain, oral pathology and dento-maxillofacial surgery will be taught. Students will learn to perform tooth extractions, manage post-extraction complications, assess and diagnose oral diseases, and conduct diagnostic tests.

Students will continue to provide clinical dental treatments pursuant to their patient's needs and the individual student's abilities. Students work in the clinics under the supervision of experienced academic and clinical staff. As the Semester progresses, the number and complexity of procedures undertaken will increase. Students will also be rostered to various specialist dental clinics to observe and participate in the management of patients requiring specialist dental treatment. Personal and professional development will continue throughout the Semester and students will continue working on the group research project that was commenced in 2nd Year of the DMD course - this project will continue throughout the remainder of the DMD course.

Professional Behaviour:

Please refer to the Dental School Handbook and Dental Board of Australia Code of Conduct.

Credit

24 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	On-campus

The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) examine patients clinically to diagnose and assess teeth requiring restoration after endodontic treatment

; (2) explain the principles and biological rationale for the restoration of endodontically-treated teeth using direct and indirect restorations, including the use of posts and cores; (3) explain the biological and mechanical principles of tooth preparation for endodontically-treated teeth that require restoration; (4) explain the clinical and technical stages required to restore endodontically-treated teeth; (5) apply clinical skills to restore endodontically treated teeth in both a simulation environment and the clinic; (6) explain the typical clinical findings used to diagnose normal variations and pathological conditions, including systemic diseases with oral manifestations, of the oral mucosa and associated structures; (7) examine patients clinically and arrange diagnostic tests to diagnose the various oral pathological conditions and the oral manifestations of systemic conditions; (8) explain the clinical management of the various oral pathological conditions and the oral manifestations of systemic conditions; (9) apply clinical skills to manage oral pathological conditions and the oral manifestations of systemic conditions; (10) examine patients clinically to diagnose oral and dental conditions requiring surgical management, and apply the principles and biological rationale of oral surgical treatment in the clinical management of patients; (11) explain the clinical aspects and the management of oro-facial infections

; (12) explain the indications, contraindication, techniques, side effects and complications of sedation and general anaesthesia in dentistry; (13) perform tooth extractions and minor dento-alveolar surgical procedures, and explain the management of post-extraction complications; (14) explain the principles and applications of biomechanics in orthodontics

; (15) explain the different types of removable orthodontic appliances and their clinical indications; (16) apply clinical and laboratory procedures to construct and adjust removable orthodontic appliances in a simulation environment; (17) examine patients clinically to diagnose the need for removable partial dentures and plan appropriate clinical treatment; (18) explain the principles and biological rationale for removable partial dentures and why they are required to restore the dentition and oral functions; (19) explain the indications and contraindications for biomaterials used in removable partial dentures, and explain the biological and mechanical principles underlying their design and construction; (20) explain the clinical and technical stages involved in producing removable partial dentures, and apply clinical and laboratory skills to construct and insert removable partial dentures in a simulation environment; (21) explain the principles and biological rationale for multiple indirect restorations including the biological and mechanical principles of tooth preparation for multiple indirect restorations of teeth; (22) explain the indications and contra-indications for the biomaterials used for multiple indirect restorations of teeth; (23) explain the clinical and technical stages required to produce CAD/CAM multiple indirect restorations of teeth; (24) apply clinical skills to perform multiple indirect restorations in a simulation environment; (25) examine patients clinically to diagnose conditions requiring multiple indirect restorations and plan appropriate clinical treatment for these patients; (26) explain the common causes and mechanisms of oro-facial pain; (27) explain the clinical examination and tests required to diagnose oro-facial pain, including temporomandibular disorders, and explain their management; (28) explain the aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and clinical management of advanced periodontal conditions; (29) explain the aetiology, clinical manifestations and management of dental anomalies and the common oral and dental conditions in children and adolescents; (30) apply risk-assessment principles to inform treatment planning for paediatric dental patients; (31) apply appropriate management of paediatric patients, including examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, obtaining valid consent, and performing clinical techniques; (32) develop further the group research project that was commenced in 2nd Year of the DMD course and which will continue throughout the remainder of the DMD course; (33) produce the relevant documentation required for the research project; (34) participate as an observer and, where appropriate, as the operating clinician in specialist dental clinics; (35) provide dental care to patients in a clinical setting and explain the clinical reasoning behind treatment decisions; (36) compose and implement periodontal, endodontic and restorative dental treatment plans, and plan additional dental treatment needs for patients; and (37) apply consistent professional, ethical, and respectful behaviour, in accordance with the DMD Student Handbook and the Dental Board of Australia Code of Conduct. This includes maintaining attendance and punctuality, engaging in effective communication, demonstrating accountability, and being responsive to feedback. Meeting these expectations is a mandatory requirement for successful unit completion.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written assessments; (2) practical assesments; and (3) professional behaviour (assessed through continuous observation) – pass/fail. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the written assessments, practical assesments, and professional behaviour (assessed through continuous observation) – pass/fail components.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Mina Dizdarevic

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

Unit(s) DENT4216 Fundamentals of Clinical Dentistry 3 Part 1
and DENT4217 Fundamentals of Clinical Dentistry 3 Part 2
and DENT4218 Introduction to Clinical Dental Practice 2 Part 1
and DENT4219 Introduction to Clinical Dental Practice 2 Part 2

Approved quota: 70—50 domestic and 20 international

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
(1) Laboratory coat (estimated cost - $42.00)
(2) Clinical Coat (estimated cost - $80-100)
(3) Safety Glasses (estimated cost - $30.00)
(4) Frasaco Teeth (estimated cost - $3 - 11 each)
(5) Headlights and Loupes (estimated cost - $1000-2000)
(6) Replacement costs for borrowed dental equipment (estimated cost - $20-$5000).

Contact hours

8 lectures per week
average 21 hours practical/clinical sessions per week