Doctor of Clinical Dentistry

This subject in Endodontics provides the first introductory level into advanced training in all aspects of the discipline in order to prepare a student for further specialty practice, or teaching and research in the second and third years. The subject introduces students to advanced study and research into the nature and treatment of disorders of the pulp and periapical tissues, and the relationship of these to other dental and systemic conditions.

The subject structure comprises didactic and clinical components. Students can expect to be introduced to the following areas during the three-year cycle of the Endodontics subject themes: a. Pulp Biology & Clinical Endodontics I, b. Clinical Endodontics II, c. General Considerations in Endodontics, d. Dental Trauma, e. Endodontic Surgery, f. Evidence-Based Endodontics. In each year, two themes are covered. Entry point into the cycle depends on the year of commencement, but all six themes will be studied by the end of third year. The literature review involves the critical analysis of published scientific research papers.

The aims of this subject are to prepare dentists to an introduction to practice endodontics at an advanced (specialist) level, based on current knowledge of the pathobiology of the pulp and periapex; to equip dentists to keep pace with advances in the discipline; and to contribute in a scholarly manner to the discipline.

Didactic Component
Students participate in a weekly seminar program conducted during the year. The seminar program includes three components: 1. seminar topic, 2. current literature review, and 3. case presentations.  Students are rostered to each activity, and the number of times each student presents in each component depends on the year level and the number of students.

Clinical Component
Clinical experience constitutes 50% of the subject, Students are rostered to the clinic, with the emphasis on the management of complex cases, and includes non-surgical and surgical treatment. Cases completed during these sessions will form the basis of the case presentations in seminars and for the clinical case portfolio submitted for assessment throughout the year.

Endodontics 2 continues the teachings from Endodontics 1 in order to enhance the introductory into intermediate training within all aspects of the discipline, and to prepare a student before their final year specialty practice, teaching and research. The subject develops students’ study and research into the nature and treatment of disorders of the pulp and periapical tissues, and the relationship of these to other dental and systemic conditions.

The subject structure comprises didactic and clinical components. Students can expect to be introduced to the following areas during the three-year cycle of the Endodontics subject themes: a. Pulp Biology & Clinical Endodontics I, b. Clinical Endodontics II, c. General Considerations in Endodontics, d. Dental Trauma, e. Endodontic Surgery, f. Evidence-Based Endodontics. In each year, two themes are covered. Entry point into the cycle depends on the year of commencement, but all six themes will be studied by the end of third year. The literature review involves the critical analysis of published scientific research papers.

The aims of this subject are to provide an intermediate level of skills and knowledge in order to practice endodontics at an advanced (specialist) level, based on current knowledge of the pathobiology of the pulp and periapex; to equip dentists to keep pace with advances in the discipline; and to contribute in a scholarly manner to the discipline.

Didactic Component
Students participate in a weekly seminar program conducted during the year. The seminar program includes three components: 1. seminar topic, 2. current literature review, and 3. case presentations.  Students are rostered to each activity, and the number of times each student presents in each component depends on the year level and the number of students.

Clinical Component
Clinical experience constitutes 50% of the subject, Students are rostered to the clinic, with the emphasis on the management of complex cases, and includes non-surgical and surgical treatment. Cases completed during these sessions will form the basis of the case presentations in seminars and for the clinical case portfolio submitted for assessment throughout the year.

Endodontics 3 is the final subject, continuing on from the previous two years of learning and providing advanced training within all aspects of the discipline, and to prepare a student for specialty practice, teaching and research. The subject provides a course of advanced study and research into the nature and treatment of disorders of the pulp and periapical tissues, and the relationship of these to other dental and systemic conditions.

The subject structure comprises didactic and clinical components. Students can expect to be introduced to the following areas during the three-year cycle of the Endodontics subject themes: a. Pulp Biology & Clinical Endodontics I, b. Clinical Endodontics II, c. General Considerations in Endodontics, d. Dental Trauma, e. Endodontic Surgery, f. Evidence-Based Endodontics. In each year, two themes are covered. Entry point into the cycle depends on the year of commencement, but all six themes will be studied by the end of third year. The literature review involves the critical analysis of published scientific research papers.

The aims of this subject are to prepare dentists to practice endodontics at an advanced (specialist) level, based on current knowledge of the pathobiology of the pulp and periapex; to equip dentists to keep pace with advances in the discipline; and to contribute in a scholarly manner to the discipline.

Didactic Component
Students participate in a weekly seminar program  conducted during the year. The seminar program includes three components: 1. seminar topic, 2. current literature review, and 3. case presentations.  Students are rostered to each activity, and the number of times each student presents in each component depends on the year level and the number of students.

Clinical Component
Clinical experience constitutes 50% of the subject, Students are rostered to the clinic, with the emphasis on the management of complex cases, and includes non-surgical and surgical treatment. Cases completed during these sessions will form the basis of the case presentations in seminars and for the clinical case portfolio submitted for assessment throughout the year.

This subject is the first part of a 3 year inter-related series of subjects that are expected to be taken contiguously, which introduces students to knowledge in the oral medicine field.  The subject provides basic teachings on the aetiology, pathogenesis, immunology and clinical aspects of oral medicine, specifically with regard to oral mucosal lesions, orofacial pain or temporomandibular dysfunction.

This subject aims to provide the student a broad understanding of the oral pathology, and experience in diagnosing and treating diseases of the oral mucosa and oro-facial pain through participation in regular seminars and review meetings. They will begin developing the competencies to recognise diseases and their associated risk factors, and to understand the full range of clinical treatment services in oral medicine. They will form inter-disciplinary relationships across the environment of medical, dental and allied health professionals.

The clinical component of the subject will provide supervised opportunities for students to understand the process of managing patients with oral mucosal disorders, oral manifestations of systemic disease and the assessment and treatment of patients with oro-facial pain during the clinical component of the subject. Assessment of clinical performance will include written paper and oral examinations on both clinical skills, and introductory understanding of histological diagnosis and patient management. Students will be required to pass all sections (clinical, laboratory and theory) of this subject.

Students will partake in weekly teaching sessions of Doctor of Dental Surgery students.

Following on from Oral Medicine 1, this subject focuses on developing introductory learnings to intermediate knowledge in the oral medicine field in preparation before their final year of speciality practice. The subject continues to build students’ understanding on the aetiology, pathogenesis, immunology and clinical aspects of oral medicine, specifically with regard to oral mucosal lesions, orofacial pain or temporomandibular dysfunction.

Students’ knowledge in oral pathology will be refined in this subject in order to diagnose and treat diseases of the oral mucosa and oro-facial pain. Through participation in regular seminars and review meetings, they will continue to develop their intermediate knowledge as a specialist. They will expand their competencies in recognising diseases and relevant risk factors, and further form their awareness of the full range of clinical treatment services in oral medicine. They will build inter-disciplinary relationships across the environment of medical, dental, allied health professionals.

The clinical component of the subject will provide supervised opportunities for students to understand the process of managing patients with oral mucosal disorders, oral manifestations of systemic disease and the assessment and treatment of patients with oro-facial pain during the clinical component of the subject. Assessment of clinical performance will include written paper and oral examinations on both clinical skills, and developed understandings of histological diagnosis and patient management. Students will be required to pass all sections (clinical, laboratory and theory) of this subject.

Students will partake in weekly teaching sessions of Doctor of Dental Surgery students.

Oral Medicine 3 is the final subject, continuing on from the previous two years of learning to provide advanced training and research skills in the oral medicine field. The subject provides specialist understanding on the aetiology, pathogenesis, immunology and clinical aspects of oral medicine, specifically with regard to oral mucosal lesions, orofacial pain or temporomandibular dysfunction.

The subject will prepare dentists to diagnose and treat diseases of the oral mucosa and oro-facial pain at a specialist level. The training in oral medicine will be solidified through participation in research, regular seminars, and review meetings. The subject will provide students with high-level competencies to identify diseases and relevant risk factors, and superior awareness of the full range of clinical treatment services in oral medicine. They will understand the complexities of inter-disciplinary relationships across the environment of medical, dental, allied health professionals and utilise them to the needs of their patients and field.

The clinical component of the subject provides opportunity to manage patients with oral mucosal disorders, oral manifestations of systemic disease and provide specialist assessment and treatment plans to patients with oro-facial pain. Assessment of clinical performance will include written paper and oral examinations on both clinical skills, and developed understandings of histological diagnosis and patient management. Students will be required to pass all sections (clinical, laboratory and theory) of this subject.

Students will partake in weekly teaching sessions of Doctor of Dental Surgery students.

This subject provides the basis for the study of orthodontics, the specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions, which may be a result of tooth irregularity and/or disproportionate jaw relationships.

Learning is achieved through a series of weekly seminars as well as clinical placements. The subject introduces a student to all aspects of orthodontic treatment and inter-disciplinary management of patients.  Clinical training commences at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and the Melbourne Dental Clinic under the guidance of experienced orthodontists.  A student will begin to participate in regular meetings and interdisciplinary clinical sessions with members of the surgical teams at RMH. Other interdisciplinary meetings within the Dental School are regularly scheduled.

Each student is allocated roughly 50 new cases at the commencement of the course, including orthognathic surgery patients.  At the end of the year, each student also receives transfer cases. Students treat a variety of cases with different malocclusion types and of different ages.

All students attend weekly diagnosis and treatment planning sessions of student and unseen cases to foster collegiate interaction and friendly debate on treatment options.

The theoretical teaching covers a broad range of topics scheduled on cyclical rotation over the three years of the course and based on a review of the research literature. Students from all three years of the course attend all seminars. Students are assigned seminar topics on a roster at the beginning of the year and are required to research and present these topics to the class.

DDS Teaching Requirement
All students are required to conduct seminars for the Doctor of Dental Surgery students of roughly 24 hours annually. This is undertaken in the second half of each year.

Following on from Orthodontics 1 this subject focuses on developing further all aspects of orthodontic treatment and inter-disciplinary management of patients with paediatric dental, periodontic, prosthodontic, endodontic and oral and maxillofacial surgery units at the Royal Melbourne (RMH) and Royal Children’s (RCH) Hospitals.  Clinical training continues at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and the Melbourne Dental Clinic with all clinical training sessions having continued supervision with experienced orthodontists. The student will continue to engage with surgical team members at RMH and RCH in addition to interdisciplinary meetings within the Dental School.

Mid-way through this year, students are rostered to the Craniofacial Unit at the RCH to assist orthodontists treating cleft palate and craniofacial patients, and participate in monthly interdisciplinary meetings.  At the end of this year, each student is further allocated approximately 10 cases.

All students attend weekly diagnosis and treatment planning sessions of student and unseen cases which foster collegiate interaction and friendly debate on treatment options.

DDS Teaching Requirement
All students are required to conduct seminars for the Doctor of Dental Surgery students, roughly 24 hours annually. This is undertaken in the second half of each year.

Following on from Orthodontics 2 this subject focuses on developing to specialist level all aspects of orthodontic treatment and inter-disciplinary management of patients with paediatric dental, periodontic, prosthodontic, endodontic and oral and maxillofacial surgery units at the Royal Melbourne (RMH) and Royal Children’s (RCH) Hospitals. Further clinical training continues to be undertaken at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and the Melbourne Dental Clinic with all clinical training sessions being under the supervision of experienced orthodontists. A student will actively engage with members of the surgical teams at RMH and RCH by attending regular meetings and interdisciplinary clinical sessions, and continue with regularly scheduled interdisciplinary meetings within the Dental School.

All students attend weekly diagnosis and treatment planning sessions of student and unseen cases which foster collegiate interaction and friendly debate on treatment options.

Formal seminars and literature review sessions occur for approximately 36 weeks a year delivered in 2-3 hour sessions. The seminars and literature reviews are designed to cover subject areas outlined by the US ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (and examined by the American Board of Orthodontics).

DDS Teaching Requirement
All students are required to conduct seminars for the Doctor of Dental Surgery students, approximately 24 hours annually. This is undertaken in the second half of each year.

This subject covers the detection, diagnosis, treatment planning, prevention and care of diseases that affect the oral health of children. During the first year, students are equipped with skills and training needed to achieve this through 3-hour weekly seminars, operative technique modules on basic skills in paediatric dentistry, which includes advanced endodontics and interceptive orthodontics, and inhalation sedation training.

This subject aims to provide the student a comprehensive understanding human growth and psychological development from pre-conception to adulthood and be able to detect abnormalities in growth and development. They will be able to comprehend the aetiology, management and outcomes of the full range of oral diseases both inherited and acquired, ranging from dental caries to periodontal disease, tooth wear to traumatic dental injuries, hypodontia to developmental dental defects. They will be able to understand the importance of the nature of each child and how their unique temperament, family and school environments and background can impact on oral health and the treatment planning for the delivery of oral health care. Childhood illness, congenital disorders and disability can influence oral health and oral health care. They will obtain a sound understanding and knowledge of contemporary research, best practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment relate to child oral health.

The student will develop competencies to recognise diseases and their associated risk factors, and to provide the full range of clinical treatment services in the primary, mixed and permanent dentitions, including the management of children with the full range of medical, physical and intellectual conditions and disorders including those with behavioural challenges. They will learn to work in an inter-disciplinary environment of medical, dental, allied health professionals and to be able to advocate for child (oral) health and well-being.

This subject follows on from Paediatric Dentistry 1 and covers the detection, diagnosis, prevention and care of diseases that affect the oral health of children. During the second year, students will be gained sufficient knowledge to proceed with management of immunocompromised, syndromic, special needs, cleft lip and palate and emergency care of children at the Royal Children’s Hospital in addition to the training at the Dental hospital.

This subject aims to provide the student a deeper understanding of Paediatric Dentistry 1. They will have a comprehensive understanding of human growth and psychological development from pre-conception to adulthood and be able to detect abnormalities in growth and development. They will be able to comprehend the aetiology, management and outcomes of the full range of oral diseases both inherited and acquired, ranging from dental caries to periodontal disease, tooth wear to traumatic dental injuries, hypodontia to developmental dental defects. They will be able to understand the importance of the nature of each child and how their unique temperament, family and school environments and background can impact on oral health and the treatment planning for the delivery of oral health care. Childhood illness, congenital disorders and disability can influence oral health and oral health care. They will obtain a sound understanding and knowledge of contemporary research, best practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment relate to child oral health.

The student will develop competencies to recognise diseases and their associated risk factors, and to provide the full range of clinical treatment services in the primary, mixed and permanent dentitions, including the management of children with the full range of medical, physical and intellectual conditions and disorders including those with behavioural challenges. They will learn to work in an inter-disciplinary environment of medical, dental, allied health professionals and to be able to advocate for child (oral) health and well-being.

This subject follows on from Paediatric Dentistry 1 and 2 and covers the detection, diagnosis, prevention and care of diseases that affect the oral health of children. During the final year, the knowledge gained, broadens in scope and depth enabling students to work independently, while consolidation theoretical and clinical knowledge.

This subject aims to provide the student a deeper understanding of Paediatric Dentistry 1 and 2. They will have a comprehensive understanding of human growth and psychological development from pre-conception to adulthood and be able to detect abnormalities in growth and development. They will be able to comprehend the aetiology, management and outcomes of the full range of oral diseases both inherited and acquired, ranging from dental caries to periodontal disease, tooth wear to traumatic dental injuries, hypodontia to developmental dental defects. They will be able to understand the importance of the nature of each child and how their unique temperament, family and school environments and background can impact on oral health and the treatment planning for the delivery of oral health care. Childhood illness, congenital disorders and disability can influence oral health and oral health care. They will obtain a sound understanding and knowledge of contemporary research, best practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment relate to child oral health.

The student will develop competencies to recognise diseases and their associated risk factors, and to provide the full range of clinical treatment services in the primary, mixed and permanent dentitions, including the management of children with the full range of medical, physical and intellectual conditions and disorders including those with behavioural challenges. They will learn to work in an inter-disciplinary environment of medical, dental, allied health professionals and to be able to advocate for child (oral) health and well-being.

This subject provides the basis for the study of periodontics that is concerned with diseases that may affect the supporting structures of teeth. Learning is achieved through a series of weekly 3-hour seminars as well as clinical placements. The subject will introduce a student to the areas of aetiology, pathogenesis, immunology and clinical periodontics and clinical management including examination, treatment planning and non-surgical treatment of periodontal patients with basic surgical therapy.
The subject aims to form a student’s understanding of the biological basis of diseases of the periodontium, from the development of the periodontal apparatus through to the processes involved in destruction and repair of these tissues. They will be introduced to areas of periodontal diseases distribution in the population, the natural course of the disease process and the effects of varying treatment and preventive modalities on the course of the disease, as based upon critical reading of the scientific literature.
The student will be introduced to the rationale for treatment and the influence of supra- and sub-gingival instrumentation on the epithelium, connective tissue, cementum and alveolar bone, and how these changes should be associated with the impact of treatment on the microflora. The subject will develop a student’s ability to analyse factors related to risk of periodontal disease and the assessment of risk and in-depth knowledge of periodontal examination, diagnosis, prognosis and initial periodontal therapy and re-evaluation.

Following on from Periodontics 1 this subject focuses on intermediate periodontal procedures, inter-relationships with other specialist branches of dentistry and the periodontal-systemic relationship. Learning is achieved through a series of weekly 3-hour seminars and clinical placements, which occur throughout the teaching period. The student will commence treatment of patients with periodontal disease, both non-surgically and surgically, placement of simple dental implants and begin to treat interdisciplinary cases.

This subject aims to provide the student a comprehensive understanding of advanced periodontal procedures including surgery, guided tissue regeneration, mucogingival therapy, guided bone regeneration, healing following surgery and extraction. The student will enhance their understanding of clinical interrelationships between periodontics and endodontics, prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, paedodontics and gerodontics, and the knowledge of systemic diseases that may present in the periodontal tissues and treating medically compromised patients. Students will be introduced to topical, local and systemic anti-microbial agents used in periodontics and their spectrum of action.

The student will further develop their surgical skills to encompass a variety of procedures building on from Periodontics 1. The student should have achieved an in-depth knowledge of implant dentistry especially surgical placement of implant, bone physiology and healing, implant surfaces and systems.

Periodontics 3 focuses on advanced periodontal and implant procedures to build on the skills developed through the past two years of study. Learning is achieved through a series of weekly 3-hour seminars and clinical placements, which occur throughout the teaching period.

The student will refine their understanding of the complexities of advanced implant dentistry especially surgical placement of implant, bone physiology and healing, implant surfaces and systems. They should have in-depth knowledge about treatment planning for implant treatment, implications with hard and soft tissue grafting and factors that may affect survival and success of procedures.  They will have a thorough understanding of the biological basis of peri-implant disease, from health through to the processes involved in destruction and repair of these tissues and, treatment of peri-implantitis and technical complications associated with implant therapy.

Students will continue to treat patients with periodontal disease, both non-surgically and surgically as well as complex cases and mucogingival procedures, and placement of simple, advanced and complex dental implants throughout the year. Student will gain increased exposure to complicated interdisciplinary treatment cases to throughout the subject.

This subject provides the basis for the study of prosthodontics relating to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.  This subject introduces prosthodontic clinical practice using an evidence-based approach through participation in seminar and case review meetings. Seminars will be prepared by students every 2-3 weeks and are presented by the students to the entire Prosthodontic cohort. Students will be introduced to several areas including: preclinical dentistry, treatment planning, biology and pathology of dental tissues, cast metal and porcelain restorations, endodontics, occlusion, fixed prosthodontics, Partial removable prosthodontics, complete removable prosthodontics, periodontology, orthodontics, maxillofacial prosthodontics, implant retained prosthes, craniomandibular disorders, radiography, dental geriatrics and laboratory skills.

Students will commence clinical training activities in fixed, removable and implant prosthodontics under the close supervision of academics and specialists.  Sessions are scheduled at Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and Melbourne Dental Clinic. The student will be exposed to maxillofacial prosthetics and interdisciplinary links with other specialty programs for total patient care.

Doctor of Dental Surgery Teaching Requirement
Students participate in the teaching of general dentistry students for one session per week throughout the DDS teaching period.

This subject follows on from Prosthodontics 1 to enhance the introductory teachings relating to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

This subject develops prosthodontic clinical practice through continual participation in seminar and case review meetings. Seminars prepared by students every 2-3 weeks are presented by the students to the entire Prosthodontic cohort. Students will gain intermediate knowledge in the areas of: preclinical dentistry, treatment planning, biology and pathology of dental tissues, cast metal and porcelain restorations, endodontics, occlusion, fixed prosthodontics, Partial removable prosthodontics, complete removable prosthodontics, periodontology, orthodontics, maxillofacial prosthodontics, implant retained prosthes, craniomandibular disorders, radiography, dental geriatrics and laboratory skills.

Students will refine clinical training skills with activities in fixed, removable and implant prosthodontics under the supervision of academics and specialists. Clinical sessions are scheduled at Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and Melbourne Dental Clinic with some opportunity in maxillofacial prosthetics and continued interdisciplinary links with other specialty programs for total patient care.

Doctor of Dental Surgery Teaching Requirement
Students participate in the teaching of general dentistry students for one session per week throughout the DDS teaching period.

Prosthodontics 3 is the final subject that follows the previous two years of learning to advance the student’s knowledge in the areas of diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

This student will advance their clinical practice knowledge through continual participation in seminar and case review meetings. Seminars prepared by students every 2-3 weeks are presented by the students to the entire Prosthodontic cohort. Students will gain thorough knowledge in the areas of: preclinical dentistry, treatment planning, biology and pathology of dental tissues, cast metal and porcelain restorations, endodontics, occlusion, fixed prosthodontics, Partial removable prosthodontics, complete removable prosthodontics, periodontology, orthodontics, maxillofacial prosthodontics, implant retained prosthes, craniomandibular disorders, radiography, dental geriatrics and laboratory skills.

Students will demonstrate specialist level clinical skills with activities in fixed, removable and implant prosthodontics with supervision. Clinical sessions are scheduled at Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and Melbourne Dental Clinic with some opportunity in maxillofacial prosthetics and continued interdisciplinary links with other specialty programs for total patient care.

Doctor of Dental Surgery Teaching Requirement
Students participate in the teaching of general dentistry students for one session per week throughout the DDS teaching period.

This subject provides the basis for the study of special needs dentistry (SND) including the link between general and oral health. Learning is achieved through a combination of journal clubs (1 hour per/week) and didactic sessions (including case report and seminar presentations) together with clinical placements. The subject focuses on etiology of disease (including oral disease), social determinants of health and functioning, treatment planning, conscious sedation, and government policy and consent. In addition students learn about management of patients under differing clinical scenarios including outpatient clinics, theatre and domicillary services. Students present cases they have treated themselves and engage in discussions with students from other cohorts who manage more complex cases in order to begin to understand the complexities of the discipline.

Seminar presentations require students to present on several aspects pertinent to the particular semester. The seminars are on a 6-semester rotation and all post graduate students across the three years take part. The themes include: ageing, public dental health, the aged care system and domiciliary care; polypharmacy, saliva, common medical conditions facing the elderly; physical and intellectual disabilities; Oral pathology, oral medicine, oral cancer; medically compromised series 1, transplants, and palliative care; and blood and bleeding disorders.

This subject provides the basis for the study of orthodontics, the specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions, which may be a result of tooth irregularity and/or disproportionate jaw relationships.

Learning is achieved through a series of weekly seminars as well as clinical placements. The subject introduces a student to all aspects of orthodontic treatment and inter-disciplinary management of patients.  Clinical training commences at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and the Melbourne Dental Clinic under the guidance of experienced orthodontists.  A student will begin to participate in regular meetings and interdisciplinary clinical sessions with members of the surgical teams at RMH. Other interdisciplinary meetings within the Dental School are regularly scheduled.

Each student is allocated roughly 50 new cases at the commencement of the course, including orthognathic surgery patients.  At the end of the year, each student also receives transfer cases. Students treat a variety of cases with different malocclusion types and of different ages.

All students attend weekly diagnosis and treatment planning sessions of student and unseen cases to foster collegiate interaction and friendly debate on treatment options.

The theoretical teaching covers a broad range of topics scheduled on cyclical rotation over the three years of the course and based on a review of the research literature. Students from all three years of the course attend all seminars. Students are assigned seminar topics on a roster at the beginning of the year and are required to research and present these topics to the class.

DDS Teaching Requirement
All students are required to conduct seminars for the Doctor of Dental Surgery students of roughly 24 hours annually. This is undertaken in the second half of each year.

Special Needs Dentistry 3 is the final subject that follows from the two years of specialist training that focuses on advanced aspects of special needs dentistry and how they pertain to complex patient centred care. Students will manage treatment of patients with complex care needs whilst considerations are taken into account with interdisciplinary care, public advocacy, role of autonomy and clinical decision making.

Learning is achieved through a series of weekly 4-hour seminars, journal meetings and clinical placements, which occur throughout the teaching period.  Clinical placements are in major public hospital and Community Care Centres facilities that have dental clinics.

Seminar presentations require students to present on several aspects pertinent to the particular semester. The seminars are on a 6-semester rotation and all post graduate students across the three years take part. The themes include: ageing, public dental health, the aged care system and domiciliary care; polypharmacy, saliva, common medical conditions facing the elderly; physical and intellectual disabilities; Oral pathology, oral medicine, oral cancer; medically compromised series 1, transplants, and palliative care; and blood and bleeding disorders.