UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This is the first part of the first-year theory unit in Prosthodontics for the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry course. Parts 1 and 2 must be completed to fulfil the requirements of the unit.

The unit provides the theoretical foundation of the clinical practice of prosthodontics including diagnosis, comprehensive treatment planning, oral and maxillofacial rehabilitation, and maintenance of oral functions (mastication and phonetics), patient related quality of life, dento-facial aesthetics, and health of patients with prosthodontic needs. The first-year theory units introduce students to the theoretical aspects of prosthodontics, allowing them to understand the scientific and clinical philosophies current in the discipline.

This unit within the DCD program in prosthodontics will encompass the following areas of knowledge:

• prosthodontic assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, including the endodontic, orthodontic and periodontic interfaces
• classical and contemporary literature in the fields of prosthodontics and oral implantology
• the principles involved in the design and laboratory manufacturing of prostheses for the restoration and/or replacement of oral and maxillofacial structures
• contemporary tooth replacement with removable, fixed and implant prostheses
• fundamentals of oral tissue regeneration, tissue biology and the surgical aspects of implant prosthodontics
• maxillofacial prosthodontics
• dental material science and applications in prosthodontics and oral implantology
• the principles of occlusion and occlusal rehabilitation
• the principles of phonetics and speech pathology related to prosthodontics
• the management and treatment planning of complex cases with interdisciplinary engagement
• the principles and application of pharmacology in prosthodontic practice and oral implantology
• prosthodontic considerations of airways and sleep disorders, including their relation to oral manifestations of tooth wear and overall patient wellbeing, and
• the basis and management of orofacial pain

Students will be introduced to theoretical knowledge on the clinical practice of prosthodontics through prescribed readings, seminars, tutorials, discussions and student presentations. Seminars prepared by students are presented to the entire DCD Prosthodontic cohort.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply the basic principles of prosthodontic assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, including the endodontic, orthodontic and periodontic interfaces; (2) compare classical and contemporary literature in the fields of prosthodontics and oral implantology; (3) outline the basic principles involved in the design and laboratory manufacturing of prostheses for the restoration and/or replacement of oral and maxillofacial structures; (4) outline the options for contemporary tooth replacement options with removable, fixed and implant prostheses; (5) outline the fundamentals of oral tissue regeneration, tissue biology and the surgical aspects of implant prosthodontics; (6) analyse the patients in need of maxillofacial prosthodontics; (7) analyse dental material science and the applications in prosthodontics and oral implantology; (8) analyse the principles of occlusion and occlusal rehabilitation; (9) analyse the basic principles of phonetics and speech pathology related to prosthodontics; (10) analyse the management and treatment planning of complex cases with interdisciplinary engagement; (11) analyse the basic principles and application of pharmacology in prosthodontic practice and oral implantology; (12) analyse the basic prosthodontic considerations of airways and sleep disorders, including their relation to oral manifestations of tooth wear and overall patient well-being; and (13) analyse the basis and management of orofacial pain.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written assessment and (2) seminar presentations. 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 assessment and seminar presentations components.

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

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam Hamilton

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

90840 Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (ID 100)

Co-requisites

6 points Unit(s) DENT6885 Prosthodontics Clinical Practice I Part 1 (ID 6608)
, 6 points Unit(s) DENT5603 Dental Research Methodology (ID 2888)
, 6 points Unit(s) PUBH4401 Biostatistics I (ID 698)

Contact hours

Seminars: 4 hours per week (average)