Basic Dentistry Course

Lesson 1 • Dental Terminology and Nomenclature

Introduces standardised terms for surfaces, directions, and conditions used in charting and communication. Accurate terminology prevents clinical errors and supports team coordination.

Lesson 2 • Tooth Development and Eruption

Explains odontogenesis, calcification stages, and primary versus permanent dentition timelines. Understanding development guides diagnosis of eruption anomalies.

Lesson 3 • Oral Anatomy and Structures

Covers teeth, periodontium, salivary glands, and jaw bones as an integrated system. Provides the anatomical baseline required for all subsequent clinical chapters.

Lesson 4 • Oral Histology Essentials

Examines enamel, dentine, cementum, and pulp at the cellular level. Histological knowledge informs material selection and understanding of disease progression.

Lesson 1 • Sharps Safety and Waste Management

Establishes safe handling of needles, scalpels, and regulated medical waste disposal. Adherence to waste protocols reduces injury risk and meets regulatory requirements.

Lesson 2 • Personal Protective Equipment

Covers correct selection, donning, doffing, and disposal of gloves, masks, eyewear, and gowns. Proper PPE use is the first barrier against occupational exposure.

Lesson 3 • Microbiology Relevant to Dentistry

Identifies oral pathogens, transmission routes, and infection risk levels in dental settings. This microbiological foundation justifies every infection control measure taught in the chapter.

Lesson 4 • Surface Disinfection and Barriers

Addresses clinical surface disinfection protocols and placement of disposable barriers. Consistent surface management prevents environmental contamination between patients.

Lesson 1 • Periapical and Bitewing Techniques

Teaches paralleling and bisecting-angle techniques for periapical and bitewing projections. These are the most frequently acquired intraoral radiographs in general practice.

Lesson 2 • Radiographic Interpretation

Develops systematic reading of radiographs to identify caries, bone loss, and pathology. Accurate interpretation directly informs diagnosis and treatment planning.

Lesson 3 • Panoramic and Extraoral Imaging

Covers patient positioning, machine settings, and common errors in panoramic radiography. Panoramic images support full-arch assessment and treatment planning.

Lesson 4 • Digital Radiography Systems

Introduces digital sensor types, software tools, and image management workflows. Digital systems reduce exposure and enable immediate image enhancement for diagnosis.

Lesson 1 • Nutritional Counselling for Oral Health

Links dietary patterns to caries, dental erosion, and periodontal disease, and guides patients towards protective choices. Counselling integrates with risk assessment to form a complete prevention plan.

Lesson 2 • Oral Hygiene Instruction Techniques

Demonstrates toothbrushing methods, interdental cleaning, and tongue hygiene tailored to patient needs. Effective instruction improves plaque control and reduces periodontal risk.

Lesson 3 • Caries Risk Assessment

Applies biological, behavioural, and social factors to stratify patient caries risk. Risk stratification guides the intensity and frequency of preventive interventions.

Lesson 4 • Fluoride Therapy

Covers fluoride mechanisms, delivery forms, and professional application protocols. Appropriate fluoride use is the most evidence-supported caries prevention strategy.

Lesson 1 • Pharmacology of Local Anaesthetics

Explains mechanisms of nerve blockade, anaesthetic agents, and vasoconstrictors used in dentistry. Pharmacological knowledge guides agent selection and dosage calculation.

Lesson 2 • Maxillary Anaesthesia Techniques

Covers infiltration, posterior superior alveolar, and palatal injections for maxillary anaesthesia. Maxillary techniques vary by tooth location and require precise landmark identification.

Lesson 3 • Armamentarium and Injection Technique

Covers syringe assembly, needle selection, aspiration, and injection speed for safe delivery. Correct technique minimises pain, haematoma, and intravascular injection risk.

Lesson 4 • Complications and Emergency Management

Identifies and manages local and systemic complications including toxicity, allergy, and syncope. Prompt recognition and response prevent serious patient harm.

Lesson 1 • Composite Resin Restorations

Covers bonding systems, incremental placement, and finishing of composite restorations. Composite is the dominant direct restorative material in contemporary practice.

Lesson 2 • Cavity Preparation Principles

Applies Black's principles and modern minimally invasive concepts to cavity design. Preparation design directly affects restoration longevity and remaining tooth structure.

Lesson 3 • Amalgam Restorations

Teaches amalgam manipulation, condensation, carving, and finishing for posterior restorations. Amalgam remains relevant in high-load posterior areas and resource-limited settings.

Lesson 4 • Matrix Systems and Isolation

Demonstrates rubber dam placement, matrix band selection, and wedging for optimal restoration contour. Proper isolation and matrix use are prerequisites for high-quality restorations.

Lesson 1 • Periodontal Maintenance and Re-evaluation

Establishes re-evaluation criteria, maintenance intervals, and referral thresholds after active therapy. Ongoing maintenance prevents disease recurrence and preserves treatment outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Adjunctive Periodontal Therapies

Introduces locally delivered antimicrobials, systemic antibiotics, and host modulation agents. Adjuncts are used selectively to enhance outcomes in refractory or aggressive cases.

Lesson 3 • Scaling and Root Planing

Covers hand and ultrasonic instrumentation for supragingival and subgingival deposit removal. Thorough debridement is the cornerstone of non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Lesson 4 • Periodontal Anatomy and Disease Classification

Reviews gingival and periodontal structures and applies current disease classification criteria. Classification guides treatment decisions and communication with specialists.

Lesson 1 • Surgical Complication Recognition and Management

Identifies and manages dry socket, root fracture, nerve injury, and excessive bleeding. Early recognition and appropriate response minimise long-term patient harm.

Lesson 2 • Extraction Forceps and Elevator Technique

Teaches instrument selection, luxation principles, and forceps application for atraumatic extraction. Proper technique preserves alveolar bone and reduces post-operative morbidity.

Lesson 3 • Post-operative Care Instructions

Provides evidence-based post-operative instructions for bleeding control, diet, and hygiene. Clear instructions reduce complications and improve patient recovery experience.

Lesson 4 • Surgical Extraction Principles

Covers flap design, bone removal, tooth sectioning, and wound closure for impacted or fractured teeth. Surgical extractions require additional planning beyond simple forceps techniques.