Overview

This assessed clinical skills (simulation) module aims to introduce the student dental hygienist to clinical practice in a simulated environment. Students are required to complete a clinical skills portfolio accompanied by reflections of these activities in clinical simulation suite.

Students are required to pass a Gateway Clinical Skills Assessment prior to placement visits.

This is a practical skills module.

Learning content will include:

•Supragingival and subgingival professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) on a dental simulator •Intra-oral and extra-oral clinical examination •Periodontal indices •Dental charting •Preparation of dental units for routine dental treatment demonstrating principles of infection control and prevention and working effectively as part of the dental team

Students are required to complete a clinical skills portfolio accompanied by reflections of these activities in clinical simulation suite.

Assessment Strategy

The Clinical Gateway Examination is assessed using the Percentage Grade Scale as follows:

70% Distinction Excellent understanding of the facts and principles specific to the topics covered in this module and the outcomes being assessed.

60-69% Merit A very good understanding of the facts and principles specific to the topics covered in this module and the outcomes being assessed.

40-59% Pass

<40% Fail

All elements of assessment must be passed at the minimum 40% threshold to pass the module. Students who do not meet the minimum threshold of 40% will be given one reassessment attempt. Additionally, as this is an examination to determine clinical competency and patient safety, in order to be allowed to sit the examination, students must be able to demonstrate they have undertaken sufficient clinical procedures (within 25% of the cohort average). This data is collected through the completion of the Clinical Skills Portfolio.

The Clinical Skills Portfolio is a Pass/Fail assessment and details all clinical procedures undertaken and includes written reflections for various procedures. Both the clinical procedure logs and the written reflections must be completed and confirmed and signed by the Clinical Supervisors to pass this assessment. Students who do not complete all elements of the Portfolio will be given one reassessment attempt.

Regardless of the overall module score, failure to pass any individual assessment component will result in the student being unable to progress in the programme.

A detailed marking rubric will be provided to students.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate appropriate clinical examination, accurate dental charting and recording of indices.

• Demonstrate competency to undertake scaling and root surface instrumentation (supragingival and subgingival professional mechanical plaque removal PMPR) on a dental simulator.

• Demonstrate understanding of and utilisation of the receipt of effective feedback and critical reflection in the clinical and professional development of self.

• Prepare a dental unit for routine dental treatment demonstrating principles of infection control and prevention.