| Unit name | Intermediate Clinical Practice |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ORDSM0066 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mrs. House |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Foundations for Practice |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) | |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Dental School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
The aim of this unit is to develop the knowledge, behaviours and skills gained from Unit 1 subject areas and apply them in clinical practice. Students gain valuable learning experiences from their work-based training, providing the opportunity to develop all their acquired skills with a comprehensive and diverse patient base. Students must work safely within their scope of practice in the best interest of the patient. This also encourages the concept of working as part of the dental team regarding patient care. Students will attend and present at a monthly journal club alongside their clinical supervisor to develop critical appraisal skills that underpin an evidence-based approach to clinical practice.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This must-pass unit follows on from the initial unit and is where most of the work-place based training as an orthodontic therapist takes place. Students continue to engage with didactic teaching through monthly study days to underpin the skills being developed during patient care.
An overview of content
The unit aims to develop the knowledge, behaviours and skills gained from Unit 1 subject areas and apply them in clinical practice. Students will commence clinical treatment sessions providing orthodontic care under prescription from their orthodontic specialist trainer. Students will understand oral health education in relation to improving oral health.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students gain valuable learning experiences from their work-based training, providing the opportunity to develop their acquired skills with a comprehensive and diverse patient base. Students will recognise and manage needs of different patient groups, understand the importance of Professionalism, and work well as part of a dental team. They will have gained the confidence and competence to transition from the clinical skills and classroom environment to deliver direct patient care.
Learning Outcomes
To discuss:
To explain:
To contribute to:
To recognise the importance of:
To recognise and explain to patients:
To demonstrate competency in:
Teaching methods include:
The majority of teaching in this unit will be during clinical practice under the supervision of a Specialist Orthodontist on placement. Monthly study days will use a blended learning approach delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Additional monthly journal clubs will allow students to meet with the wider cohort, including all supervisors, and will provide opportunities to learn through critiquing others’ research. Students will be expected to engage with all learning.
Clinical skills laboratory teaching will provide simulated 'phantom heads' and teeth for students to practice the necessary practical procedures for a further day to introduce intermediate clinical skills. This laboratory sessions will be supported by preparatory material, viewing images/video clips and demonstrations, and formative assessment and feedback by supervising staff.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
At each patient appointment, students present their patient case and stage of treatment to their clinical supervisor. This spoken part of the training serves to prepare students for the summative viva examination, by practicing communication skills as well as developing the ability to explain rationale and give advice verbally. Following each patient encounter, students must complete an entry in the continuous clinical assessment logbook (CCA), including reflections on the procedure (must-engage). Each entry is in turn graded by the clinical supervisor, considering the knowledge and skills that have been demonstrated by the student and the professionalism shown during the session.
Must-engage assessment:
Engagement with the CCA and the course will be monitored at termly progression meetings, as detailed in the assessment handbook.
During each monthly study day, students are given written questions to answer. These are formative but are reviewed and feedback is provided to help students to prepare for the written part of the summative exam.
Students complete a patient satisfaction survey in April, which provides valuable feedback from another source.
The final formative task to prepare students for assessment is the completion of a direct observation of clinical skills assessment (DOPS). This provides additional, highly specific, feedback on a particular area of practice.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
There are three parts to the unit summative assessment:
Case presentation of a completed patient treatments (15 minutes). Students will present a patient (not present) for whom they have carried out a comprehensive treatment plan. This will include discussing pre and mid treatment intra oral clinical photographs, associated radiographs and dental indices. The student will participate in a face-to-face discussion with two examiners who will examine the student in their understanding of the treatment provided, alternative treatment options and ongoing patient management. (33% of unit total)
Clinical viva (15 minutes). Students will be assessed in a structured oral examination. Students will be required to demonstrate a broad range of knowledge within the scope of practice of an orthodontic therapist, as set out by the GDC. (33% of unit total)
Written paper (2 hours). Students will complete short answer questions to assess knowledge within the scope of practice of an orthodontic therapist, as set out by the GDC. (34% of unit total)
Compensation is allowed between the three parts of the unit summative assessment but a combined mark of 50% or above must be obtained in order to pass the unit.
When assessment does not go to plan:
Students who fail to meet the unit pass mark of 50% will be required to re-sit the failed assessment(s) and achieve the required mark(s) in order to attain an overall combined mark of 50% or above for the unit and progress to Unit 3. Feedback and support will be provided for any students not yet meeting the required standard. In accordance with University Regulations, students that fail to meet the standard after this re-sit opportunity will be required to withdraw from the programme. In exceptional circumstances, students may be offered one further attempt to demonstrate the required standard. In this case, the students will be asked to repeat the full unit the next year, followed by, after having passed Unit 2, studying for Unit 3.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ORDSM0066).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
