Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit allows students to gain an understanding of the context, current evidence and stakeholder and consumer perspectives regarding oral health and dental care for (i) (urban and rural) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and (ii) people living in rural and remote settings in Australia. The content of the unit focuses on both 'evidence' and 'perspectives'.

Students consider and critique available evidence and hear and interpret different perspectives on these topics and consider how this will translate in their own clinical practice.

The unit equips students to understand the disadvantages for these peoples and communities in oral health and dental care and to make informed contributions to this area. The first semester unit focuses on people and health (the second semester focuses more on services, systems and research). This is a required unit in the DMD program.

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2025UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe the distribution and characteristics of people living in rural and remote Australia; (2) describe how the health and oral health of rural and remote Australians differs from urban

based Australians; (3) discuss medical issues that might be important for providing dental care in rural and remote

settings and for urban and rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; (4) demonstrate a knowledge of health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians with a

focus on oral health and how this differs from other Australians; (5) identify some of the key historical, social and cultural issues that underlie current Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Australian health disparities; and (6) demonstrate an understanding of the diverse language groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Australians and how you might ensure cultural security

(N.B. – we recognise in this unit that many Aboriginal people live in urban communities).

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) australian Indigenous, rural and remote oral health written examination and (2) australian Indigenous, rural and remote oral health assignment. Further information is available in the unit outline.



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

Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Mario Ferrari
Unit rules
Prerequisites
DENT5305 Special Needs Dentistry and Orofacial Pain.
and DENT5306 Introduction to Dental Practice, Maxillofacial Infections and Trauma.
and DENT5307 Complex Oral Rehabilitation 2.
and DENT5308 Child and Adolescent Comprehensive Oral Care 2 and Research
Co-requisites
DENT5401 Research and Options 1.
and DENT5402 Integrated Dental Practice 1.
and DENT5403 Integrated Dental Practice 2
Approved quota: 70—domestic (50) and international (20); for school leavers—rural (3), Metropolitan Pathway (3), Indigenous (3), high academic achievement (5), international (3); for graduates—rural (2), Metropolitan Pathway (2), Indigenous (2), international (3), graduates (30)
Contact hours
lectures: 10 hours
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.