Lesson 1Red flags and referral criteria for specialist input (endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery)This lesson identifies clinical and radiographic warning signs needing specialist referral, and specifies guidelines for prompt consultations with endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and others to enhance patient safety and results in multidisciplinary care.
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 lesson examines supporting tests for dental treatment, such as blood sugar monitoring, bleeding risk evaluation, and situations requiring coordination with doctors to manage complex medical-dental cases effectively and safely.
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 lesson details systematic external and internal examinations, covering facial balance, TMJ, lymph nodes, soft tissues, bite alignment, and gum screening via PSR or CPITN, adapted for young and older patients in routine assessments.
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, behavioural, medications, allergies, and diabetes-specific questionsThis lesson instructs on thorough history collection for patients of all ages, incorporating medical, dental, social, and behavioural details, with special attention to medications, allergies, diabetes, and their influence on safe, personalised dental management.
Core elements of a comprehensive dental historyScreening for systemic disease and hospitalisationsMedication review, interactions, and xerostomia riskAllergy verification and documentation standardsDiabetes-focused questions and glycaemic controlSocial, behavioural, and substance use historyLesson 5Special considerations for paediatric exam techniques and behavioural observation during assessmentThis lesson concentrates on child-specific examination methods, including suitable communication, behaviour management, nonverbal signal observation, and adjustments to clinical and imaging procedures to lessen anxiety and boost cooperation during visits.
Tell–show–do and positive reinforcement methodsNonverbal behaviour 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 lesson outlines pulp and surrounding tissue evaluations using tapping, pressing, and sensitivity tests like cold and electric pulp testing, and interprets outcomes alongside images and clinical data for precise diagnoses in practice.
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: standardised intraoral photos, image labelling, and record keeping for diagnosis and consentThis lesson covers standard clinical recording and photography, featuring intraoral images, camera setups, retraction tools, labelling, and secure storage to aid diagnosis, planning, tracking, and informed consent processes.
Essential elements of a complete dental recordStandard intraoral photographic series viewsCamera selection, settings, and lighting basicsUse of mirrors, retractors, and contrastorsImage labelling, storage, and backup systemsUsing photos for patient education and consentLesson 8Radiographic features of caries, endodontic pathology, periodontal bone loss, and prosthetic planningThis lesson details x-ray indicators of caries, pulp and root tip issues, gum-related bone loss, and aspects for prosthetic design, such as crown-root ratios, bone quality, and anatomical constraints for implants and fixed appliances.
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 lesson addresses selecting suitable x-rays like bitewings, single-tooth views, full-mouth panoramics, and 3D scans based on age and risk, covering radiation basics, choice criteria, ALARA guidelines, and patient protection measures.
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
