TANN3000 Clinical Prothetics Course description

The course is divided into two parts and taught during the first and final parts of the sixth semester, respectively. Students write their bachelor's thesis, TANN3900, in the middle of the semester.

The advanced prosthetic solutions subject focuses on fixed and removable prosthetics in implant and combination prosthetics. The course emphasises relevant treatment options, fundamental conditions and work processes and is intended to provide a basis for further specialisation in the two areas. In the laboratory, the student will test different techniques for the production of implant and combination prosthetics.

The clinical prosthetics subject emphasises knowledge of related disciplines through practical training at a dental clinic/surgery, an orthodontist practice, dental technology laboratory, hospital or with a clinical dental technician. The focus is on skills development, knowledge of and reflection on the importance of cooperation between the different professions that are part of a dental health team.

Advanced prosthetic solutions and clinical prosthetics will be linked to the subjects philosophy of science and research methods, ethics and profession, and cooperation and communication. The course also contains learning outcomes in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The course consists of the following subjects, with credits specified:

• Advanced prosthetic solutions 5 sp. (Theory 2sp and Skills training/practical training 3 sp)
• Philosophy of science and research Methods 1.5 sp (theory 1,5 sp)
• Ethics 2 sp. (theory 2 sp)
• Profession, cooperation and communication 1.5 sp (theory 1.5 sp)
• Clinical prosthetics (Skills training/practical training  5 sp)

All exams in the first and second year of the programme and TANNPRA1A/TANNPRA1B must be passed.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• is capable of explaining different treatment options in implant-based prosthetics and combination prosthetics to preserve or recreate the patient’s dental physiology and occlusion
• is capable of describing clinical aspects of implantology and combination prosthetics in relation to diagnosis and treatment
• is capable of explaining planning of implant-based prosthetics and combination prosthetics treatment
• is capable of explaining what characterises scientific knowledge
• is capable of describing scientific methods of relevance to health Sciences
• is capable of describing important basic principles of research ethics
• is capable of explaining ethical theories and concepts relevant to the professional practice of health personnel
• is capable of describing key concepts in professional communication in health care
• is capable of describing different views on dental health in relation to different age groups and cultures
• is familiar with innovation and entrepreneurship as a method of thinking in healthcare

Skills

The student is capable of

• demonstrating acceptable manual skills involving model production, structuring and production of separate posts, selected fixed and removable tooth replacements in implant-based prosthetics and combination prosthetics using basic components.
• under supervision, making acceptable comprehensive restorations with fixed and removable prosthetics in one of the same case

Competence

The student

• masters communication with the patient in connection with prosthetic treatment
• is capable of considering aspects relating to the professional roles and the division of responsibility in a dental health team
• is capable of using relevant information, material and scientific knowledge based on critical assessment of Sources
• is capable of identifying, reflecting on and discussing ethical issues related to practical training
• is capable of describing challenges relating to intercultural communication with emphasis on knowledge about and respect for diversity, identify, gender roles and generational differences

The first part of the course lasts for around 10 weeks and is taught at the university. The work and teaching methods consist of lectures, demonstration lectures, lab exercises, seminars, written assignments and self-study.

Practical training

The last part of the course comprises around five weeks of practical training at a dental clinic/surgery, an orthodontist practice, dental technology laboratory, hospital or with a clinical dental technician in the clinical practice subject. Students must themselves arrange for a practical training enterprise, which is subject to approval by the study programme. At the end of the practical training period, the student must submit a reflection note which will be assessed by the lecturer. The note must be approved in order for a pass grade to be awarded for the period of practical training.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can submit parts 1 and 2 of the exam:

• minimum attendance of 90% at demonstration lectures and external observational practice
•  minimum attendance of 80% at seminars and scheduled group work
• completed and submitted individual practical work from the prosthetics course

Assessment content:     The learning outcomes

Exam form: A portfolio comprising two parts:

1. A written assignment in two parts in groups of 2-4 students. The total scope of the assignments: maximum 5,000 words.

2. passed practical training and individual reflection note. Part 1 must be submitted at the end of the first part of the course.

Resit exam: The student must retake the parts of the exam that he/she failed. If the student fails the observational practice, he/she must retake it in order for the exam to be assessed.

An overall grade of ‘pass/fail’ is awarded for the exam parts. If a fail grade is awarded for one part, the student will fail the whole course.

An external examiner contributes to the preparation of the exam questions and the assessment criteria for part 1, while two internal examiners will assess the assignments.

The practical training supervisor assesses the external observational practice based on 90% attendance, whereas the lecturer assesses the reflection note. Students must pass both parts in order to pass part 2.