Oral health therapy

These inherent requirements apply to the following course: Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy. 

Prospective and current students who are concerned about their capacities in relation to inherent requirements are strongly encouraged to contact the CDU Access and Inclusion team to discuss possible adjustments or alternative courses.

E: inclusion@cdu.edu.au

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information and related material such as Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Registration Standards, the Dental Board of Australia - Policies, Codes and Guidelines and the CDU Student Code of Conduct. 

There are ten domains of inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy.

Each domain has five levels:

1. Introduction
2. Description
3. Justification
4. Adjustments
5. Exemplars

Acting in ways consistent with the recognised values of society and avoiding activities that do harm. In the context of inherent requirements, students undertaking a course of study may be governed by practice standards and codes of ethics.

1. Introduction
   Oral health therapy is a profession governed by professional standards, codes and guidelines where oral health therapists are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates knowledge of and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Compliance with the standards, codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines and policies are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behaviour including academic integrity, honesty and accountability.
• Demonstrate appropriate behaviour with privacy and confidentiality of information in classroom and clinical settings.
• Demonstrate respect for personal and professional boundaries, engaging with others in a professional manner consistent with workplace and societal expectations, including on social media.
• Demonstrate ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.

The maintenance of conduct that is acceptable and appropriate, according to the recognised norms of society over a given period.

1. Introduction
   Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in unpredictable environments and with diverse people and tasks.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates behavioural stability enabling them to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic and practice environment.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Students will face unexpected situations that require behavioural stability and the ability to handle events with objectivity and professionalism. Students will need to demonstrate appropriate interpersonal interactions and maintain strong relationships with a variety of individuals in team settings. Adapting behaviour and emotional responses is crucial for working effectively in diverse environments, ensuring safe and effective care.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in both academic and practice settings.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Critically reflecting on practice and being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback.
• Controlling emotional expressions and effectively coping with personal emotions, behaviours and reactions in collaborative classroom or clinical setting.
• Delivering consistent professional care, collaborating effectively in culturally and socially diverse environments, exhibiting sensitivity and adhering to ethical behaviour while managing rapidly changing patient conditions and care requirements.
• Manage one’s own physical and mental health effectively, seeking help and/or notifying others of fluctuations in physical and mental health as necessary.

Related to the law. In the context of inherent requirements, this refers to the legal requirements of professional bodies relevant to specific courses of study.

1. Introduction
   Oral Health Therapy is a profession mandated by legislation and professional standards to enable the safe delivery of care.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Students are required to demonstrate knowledge and compliance with relevant state, territory and commonwealth laws, professional regulations and scope of practice.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to practical placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others. 
   Compliance with these professional regulations, standards and the state, territory and commonwealth laws ensure that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Complying with the requirement for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Complying with professional standards relating to professional behaviour and competency in academic and clinical settings.
• Complying with medico-legal requirements including informed consent, privacy, relevant child protection, safety legislation and adhere to communicable health screening, immunisation and infection control requirements.
• Complying with the policies of clinical facilities such as the Work Health and Safety Act and uniform requirements.

Verbal communication: Conveying messages, ideas or feelings through speech. 

Non-verbal communication: Communication other than speech that conveys meaning including gestures and facial expressions, body posture, stance, touch, eye movements, eye contact and distance from the person/s with whom one is communicating with. Non-verbal cues can provide significant additional information to enhance communication. 

Written communication: Communication by written symbols including electronic means, print or handwriting.

1. Introduction
   i) Verbal communication: Effective and professional verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe and competent delivery of care. 
   ii) Non-verbal communication: Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to successful participation in academic and professional environments and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic, honest and non-judgmental. 
   iii) Written communication: Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental to accurately convey information and provide consistent and safe information with professional and legal ramifications.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   i) Verbal communication, effective communication in noisy environments and participation in group discussions is required. The ability to understand, respond to and provide clear verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner. This includes giving instructions, feedback and reporting in context while remaining sensitive to individual and cultural differences is essential.
   ii) Non-verbal communication involves the use of body language, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, posture and other physical behaviours to convey information and emotions without words. Effective non-verbal communication can enhance patient trust, comfort and cooperation, leading to better diagnosis and treatment outcomes. It also includes being mindful of personal space, cultural differences and maintaining a professional demeanour to ensure respectful and empathetic interactions. 
   iii) Written communication includes accurate documentation and interpretation of patient information, research findings, and academic tasks. This skill ensures clear, professional reports, essays and case studies, and is essential for interpreting textbooks, research articles and clinical guidelines. Effective written communication, with proper grammar and terminology, is vital for academic success and future professional practice.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   i) Verbal communication is essential for professional practice, fostering respectful and empathetic relationships. It is crucial for understanding conversations, instructions and feedback, which are integral to clinical learning and practice. Effective verbal interaction ensures accurate symptom assessment and timely, accurate delivery of instructions, critical for safety and treatment. Students will need to be able to adapt their verbal communication to meet clients' needs. 
   ii) Non-verbal communication, the ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships. Being sensitive to individual and/or cultural differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships. Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures facilitates effective communication. The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective observation of a client’s symptoms and reactions to facilitate the assessment and treatment of clients/individuals. 
   iii) Written communication, accurate construction of written assessments is essential for meeting academic standards and demonstrating subject matter knowledge. In healthcare, precise written communication, including accurate record-keeping and clinical documentation, is essential for ensuring consistent and safe client care.
    
4. Adjustments
   i) Verbal communication: Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure safety and appropriate care for clients. 
   ii) Non-verbal communication: Adjustments must enable the recognition and initiation of, or appropriate response to, effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner and avoidance of inappropriate non-verbal behaviours. 
   iii) Written communication: Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information occurs in both academic and clinical environments.
    
5. Exemplars:

     i) Verbal communication

• Participating in lectures, tutorial, simulation, clinical discussions and verbal presentations.
• Responding appropriately to requests from patients, supervisors and other health professionals in time-constrained health care environments.
• Communicating respectfully with people of diverse cultural, religious, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Students treat and interact with patients across the lifespan and from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds and will be required to build a rapport to encourage full disclosure of information critical for dental care including medical and dental histories and social histories.
• Conveying complex clinical information and concepts to patients and their families and respond appropriately to a care request in the health care environment.

    ii) Non-verbal communication

• Recognising and responding appropriately to cues in the academic and clinical settings.
• Using appropriate non-verbal communication to facilitate interactions with individuals and families.
• Conveying reassurance, understanding and empathy to patients who may be distressed or unable to communicate verbally.
• Recognise and adapt to cultural differences in non-verbal communication to foster patient trust and cooperation.

   iii) Written communication

• Construct and present clear, concise and accurate reports, essays, academic writings and presentation material to academic and professional standards.
• Comprehend written English in a variety of styles and formats common to academic and workplace settings.
• Construct client notes, reports and educational information in a timely manner that meets medico-legal, ethical and professional standards.
• Providing written material using style and content that is accessible for individuals, families and communities.

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through one's thoughts, experience and senses.

1. Introduction
   Acquired skills that reflect an individual's ability to think. Cognitive skills include attention, memory, processing speed, executive functions, reasoning, language and perception. These skills are essential for effective functioning in academic and professional health care settings.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Cognition involves the mental processes needed to understand information, analyze data and apply theoretical concepts. This includes mastering discipline specific terminology, interpreting scientific literature and solving clinical problems. Strong cognitive skills are essential for effective communication, ensuring clear information exchange with peers, instructors and clients. These abilities are vital for academic success and professional competence in healthcare.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Students must process and integrate extensive information, including dental anatomy, pathology and treatment protocols. Strong cognitive skills are essential for applying theoretical knowledge to clinical practice, diagnosing conditions and developing treatment plans. Effective problem-solving and critical thinking are crucial for adapting to new information and technologies. Cognitive abilities also support clear communication with patients, peers and instructors, ensuring high standards of care and collaboration. Cognitive skills are vital for academic success and professional competence in oral healthcare.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must ensure that the demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills remains clear and unhindered. Adjustments must ensure effective acquisition, comprehension, application and communication of accurate information with appropriate and timely interpretation and application of concepts and processes. It is essential that adjustments address the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice, ensuring that strategies for managing vision and hearing impairments are effective, consistent and do not compromise treatment or safety.
    
5. Exemplars:

• The capacity to locate and interpret appropriate and relevant information in formats that include handwritten text, printed text, electronic text, graphs, tables and diagrams.
• Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions in written assignments.
• The capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner.
• The ability to process and integrate knowledge of theory, research evidence, policy and procedures in practice settings.
• Developing options and assessing and comparing their respective merits, such as using evidence-based practice knowledge to prioritize treatment options for a patient.
• Engaging in rational and ethical clinical reasoning and demonstrate objective decision making capacity such as considering patient autonomy and preferences when developing care treatment plans.
• Performing accurate calculations for administration of drugs.

Reflective skills are abilities that enable individuals to analyse their experiences, understand their emotions and learn from their actions to foster continuous personal, interpersonal growth and professional development.

1. Introduction
   Reflective skills include self-awareness, critical thinking and self-assessment, which help in setting realistic goals and adapting to changes. Reflective skills like empathy, active listening and feedback seeking enhance communication and relationships, allowing for effective conflict resolution and collaboration. By developing these skills, individuals can navigate challenges more effectively and build stronger connections with others.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Reflective skills are crucial in academic and healthcare settings, promoting continuous improvement and high performance, they help students deepen understanding, self-assess and take responsibility for learning. In healthcare, reflective skills enhance patient care, support professional development and foster team collaboration. By critically evaluating experiences and adapting methods, individuals achieve superior outcomes and growth.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Reflective skills enable students to critically analyse their clinical experiences, integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, and continuously improve their practice. By fostering self-awareness and critical thinking, reflective skills help students identify their strengths and areas for development, leading to more effective and compassionate patient care. Reflective practice encourages lifelong learning and adaptability, essential traits for healthcare professionals who must stay current with evolving knowledge and practices.
   Reflective skills are fundamental for students to excel in their studies and future careers in healthcare.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate an acceptable minimum level of capacity in this area.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Students must be able to identify their scope of practice and understand the need to practice within their scope. They should be able to identify when an issue is outside their scope and how to refer the patient to another member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Students should be able to appropriately give and receive constructive feedback especially in the clinical setting and utilise the feedback to improve their practice.
• Students must be aware of their own beliefs, actions and values and behave in a manner that reflects professional practice.
• Students must be able to identify goals and set objectives, particularly for the clinical setting, that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely to reflexively improve their practice.

Personal skills required to interact appropriately with others with the aim of building and maintaining healthy, productive relationships. Skills include empathy, trustworthiness, patience, active listening, approachability and reliability.

1. Introduction
   The Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy requires the ability to make and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of individuals, groups, and communities.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Relational skills are essential for effective communication and collaboration, as they enable individuals to build and maintain positive relationships. These skills include active listening, empathy and the ability to understand and respond to the emotions and perspectives of others. They also involve clear and respectful communication, conflict resolution and the capacity to work well in a team. By fostering trust and mutual respect, relational skills help create a supportive and productive environment, whether in personal interactions or professional settings.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Relational skills directly impact patient care and outcomes. Effective communication and empathy are essential for understanding patients' concerns, explaining treatment options and alleviating anxiety. Building trust through clear and respectful interactions encourages patient cooperation and adherence to treatment plans. Additionally, relational skills facilitate teamwork with colleagues and other healthcare professionals, ensuring coordinated and comprehensive care. By fostering positive relationships, students and health care providers can enhance patient satisfaction, improve clinical outcomes and contribute to a supportive and collaborative healthcare environment.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate an acceptable level of effective relational skills.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Participating in a respectful manner in academic discussions.
• Collaborate and demonstrate sensitivity to others personal and cultural values, modifying and reflecting on one’s own interactions and behaviour in academic and work integrated learning settings.
• Building rapport with health consumers to engage them effectively.
• Maintaining positive working relationships when under stressful circumstances.
• Maintaining confidentiality.

The way a person perceives and responds to their environment through their senses.

1. Introduction
   Student will be required to demonstrate sufficient visual acuity, aural function and tactile ability to perform the required range of skills safely and effectively.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   i) Visual sensory ability allows us to interpret light and colour through our eyes, enabling us to see and understand our surroundings. 
   ii) Auditory sensory ability involves detecting sound waves through our ears, allowing us to hear and process a wide range of sounds, from speech to music. 
   iii) Tactile sensory ability involves the sense of touch, which helps us perceive pressure, temperature and pain through receptors in our skin.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   i) Visual acuity is essential for the meticulous examination of patients' oral cavities, the accurate interpretation of radiographic images and the identification of subtle pathological changes. This ability ensures that students can detect early signs of dental issues, leading to timely and effective interventions. 
   ii) Auditory proficiency is crucial for effective communication, enabling students to attentively listen to patient histories, comprehend complex instructions from educators and discern the nuanced sounds of dental instruments during clinical procedures. This skill is vital for building patient trust and ensuring that treatments are carried out accurately and safely. 
   iii) Tactile sensitivity is required for performing precise manipulations and interventions, such as palpating tissues to assess texture and detecting minute irregularities on tooth surfaces. This ability allows students to develop the fine motor skills necessary for delicate dental procedures, ensuring patient comfort and successful outcomes.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in the practice setting. Any strategies to address the effects of visual, auditory, and tactile impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise safety or treatment.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Visually identify, store, setup and use instruments, drugs and materials, including colour coded items, items with expiration dates, instructions and codes in clinical and simulated environments.
• Assess, diagnose and provide dental care in the limited field of the oral cavity.
• Accurately interpret spatial relationships and utilise and dental mirror for indirect vision during dental procedures.
• Evaluate the quality of radiographic images, enabling them to distinguish optical contrast, low contrast and fine image details.
• Detect and respond appropriately to client audible responses during assessment and treatment in environments with background noise.
• Detect and respond to audible warnings and directions in university and clinical environments.
• Safely and effectively perform dental procedures, applying appropriate pressures and detecting variations in hardness, softness and elasticity.

Gross motor skills: The use of large muscle groups that coordinate body movements for activities such as walking, lifting, pushing, pulling and maintaining balance. 

Fine motor skills: The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of smaller muscles of the hands for activities such as writing and manipulating small objects.

1. Introduction
   Student will be required to demonstrate sufficiently developed gross and fine motor skills to safely and effectively complete required range of skills and tasks safely and effectively during practical classes and health care placements.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   i) Gross motor skills involve the coordination and movement of large muscle groups to perform activities that require whole-body movement and stability. These skills are essential for tasks such as walking, running, jumping and maintaining balance. 
   ii) Fine motor skills involve the precise coordination of small muscle movements, particularly in the hands and fingers, to perform detailed tasks. These skills are essential for activities that require accuracy and control, such as writing, typing and manipulating small objects.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   i) Gross motor skills ensure that students can effectively manage their physical presence in the clinical environment. Students will require adequate strength, range in motion, coordination and independent mobility to perform tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, bending and manipulation of oral tissues to support visual examination and treatment. Students may be required to stand or sit for extended periods while performing activities or providing treatment care, maintaining proper posture and stability during lengthy procedures is essential to prevent physical strain. 
   ii) Fine motor skills involve precise hand and finger movements necessary for delicate tasks including manipulation of dental instruments and materials. These skills are essential for performing procedures accurately and safely, directly influencing the quality of patient care and treatment outcomes.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate care.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Have the physical ability to provide emergency first aid.
• Safe movement around dental equipment and confined spaces in health work settings such as laboratories, workstations and dental cubicles.
• Maintain posture in standing and /or seated position for extended periods of time while performing dental procedures.
• Safely and effectively perform dental procedures, applying appropriate pressures.
• Manipulate oral tissues, dental instruments and materials with a high level of accuracy.

The ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined length of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a length of time or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

1. Introduction
   Students will be required to demonstrate physical and cognitive performance at a consistent and sustained level over extended periods of time.
    
2. Description of inherent requirement
   The ability to perform diverse tasks with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on each activity until it is completed appropriately and capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time.
    
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective oral health care and patient management.
    
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a required period.
    
5. Exemplars:

• Actively participating in academic learning activities.
• Provide consistent patient care and management over a extended time frames while on clinical placement.
• Maintaining a sufficient level of concentration to focus on an activity to completion.
• Maintaining safe practice when physical and emotional requirements are demanding.