Lesson 1Red flags and referral criteria for specialist input (endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery)This part defines clinical and x-ray red flags needing specialist referral, and lists criteria for quick talks with root canal experts, gum specialists, mouth surgeons, and others to boost patient safety and results.
Endodontic referral indicators and complexityPeriodontal referral based on staging and gradingOral surgery referral for impacted or complex teethSuspicious lesions and urgent oncology referralTrauma cases needing multidisciplinary inputCommunicating findings in referral lettersLesson 2Use of auxiliary tests: blood glucose considerations, bleeding risk assessment, and when to liaise with medical providersThis reviews extra tests for dental care, like blood sugar checks, bleeding risk checks, and when to link with doctors to manage complex health cases in dental patients.
Chairside blood glucose thresholds for treatmentINR, platelet count, and bleeding risk factorsAnticoagulant and antiplatelet management basicsWhen to defer care and seek medical clearanceCoordinating care with primary physiciansDocumenting medical advice and shared decisionsLesson 3Extraoral and intraoral examination steps: soft tissue, TMJ, lymph nodes, occlusion, periodontal screening (PSR/CPPITN)This outlines full extraoral and intraoral checks, including face balance, jaw joint, lymph nodes, soft parts, bite, and gum screening with PSR or CPITN, adjusted for kids and old folks.
Facial inspection and assessment of symmetryTMJ palpation, range of motion, and joint soundsLymph node palpation and infection red flagsSoft tissue inspection and oral cancer screeningOcclusal analysis and functional assessmentPSR and CPITN periodontal screening protocolsLesson 4Comprehensive history-taking: medical, dental, social, behavioral, medications, allergies, and diabetes-specific questionsThis explains structured history-taking for all ages, mixing health, dental, social, and habit info, stressing drugs, allergies, diabetes, and how these shape safe, personal dental care.
Core elements of a comprehensive dental historyScreening for systemic disease and hospitalizationsMedication review, interactions, and xerostomia riskAllergy verification and documentation standardsDiabetes-focused questions and glycemic controlSocial, behavioral, and substance use historyLesson 5Special considerations for pediatric exam techniques and behavioral observation during assessmentThis focuses on kid exam methods, including age-fit talk, behavior guiding, watching non-verbal signs, and changing clinical and x-ray steps to cut worry and boost teamwork.
Tell–show–do and positive reinforcement methodsNonverbal behavior and anxiety recognitionKnee-to-knee exam and lap-to-lap positioningModified radiographic techniques for childrenParental presence and communication strategiesAssessing growth, eruption, and caries riskLesson 6Pulp and periapical assessment: percussion, palpation, sensibility testing (cold, EPT), and interpretationThis details pulp and root-tip checks using tapping, pressing, and sense tests like cold and electric, and explains reading results with x-rays and clinical signs for right diagnosis.
Percussion and palpation techniques and findingsCold testing protocols and response patternsElectric pulp testing indications and pitfallsDifferentiating reversible and irreversible pulpitisDiagnosing necrotic pulp and acute apical abscessCorrelating clinical tests with radiographic signsLesson 7Documentation and clinical photography: standardized intraoral photos, image labeling, and record keeping for diagnosis and consentThis explains standard clinical records and photos, including mouth views, camera setups, pulling back, labeling, and safe record keeping to aid diagnosis, planning, watching, and consent.
Essential elements of a complete dental recordStandard intraoral photographic series viewsCamera selection, settings, and lighting basicsUse of mirrors, retractors, and contrastorsImage labeling, storage, and backup systemsUsing photos for patient education and consentLesson 8Radiographic features of caries, endodontic pathology, periodontal bone loss, and prosthetic planningThis details x-ray signs of caries, pulp and root disease, gum bone loss, and features for fake teeth planning, including crown-root ratios, bone quality, and body limits for implants and fixed work.
Radiographic appearance of enamel and dentin cariesDetecting recurrent and root surface cariesPulpal calcifications and periapical radiolucenciesPatterns of horizontal and vertical bone lossAssessing bone height, width, and densityEvaluating abutment teeth and crown–root ratioLesson 9Radiographic selection and interpretation: bitewings, periapicals, panoramic, CBCT indications and radiation safety principles (ALARA)This covers picking right x-rays like bitewings, periapicals, panoramic, and CBCT by age and risk, and explains radiation basics, choice rules, ALARA ideas, and safety steps for patients.
Indications for bitewings in caries risk groupsPeriapical views for endodontic and trauma casesPanoramic radiographs in mixed and adult dentitionsCBCT indications, limitations, and dose concernsRadiation biology basics and ALARA applicationLead shielding, collimation, and exposure protocols
