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D.59/1104-i

REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY (BDS)

(See also General Regulations and Regulations for First Degree Curricula)

D1 A candidate for admission to courses leading to the award of the Degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery must show evidence satisfactory to the Board of the Faculty of Dentistry of the ability to understand and profit from the courses which it is proposed to follow.
D2 To be eligible for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, a candidate shall
(a) comply with the General Regulations and the Regulations for First Degree Curricula; and
(b) complete the curriculum and have been assessed as having made satisfactory progress in learning and attainment of proficiencies throughout the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Final Year of the curriculum.
D3 The curriculum shall extend over not less than five years, including ten academic semesters and such inter-semester learning periods and vacations as may be prescribed, and shall include all assessments as may be prescribed by the Board of Undergraduate Studies, programme directors and departments contributing to the curriculum.
D4 To complete the curriculum, all candidates shall complete, in addition to the learning in dentistry prescribed:
(a) 6 units of courses in English language enhancement;
(b) 3 units of courses in Chinese language enhancement;
(c) 3 units of courses in humanities and social sciences studies for science and engineering students; and 3 units of courses in culture and value studies or in other Bachelor's degree curricula of the University; and
(d) 3 units of courses in information technology.
D5 Candidates shall select their non-core courses (under humanities/social sciences studies, or culture and value studies, or cross-disciplinary elective courses offered outside the Faculty) in accordance with these regulations and the guidelines specified in the syllabuses before the beginning of each semester. Changes to the selection of non-core courses may be made during the first two weeks of each semester, and such changes shall not be reflected in the transcript of the candidate. Requests for changes after the first two weeks of a semester shall not be considered, and candidates withdrawing from any non-core courses without permission after the first two weeks of a semester shall be given a failed grade.
D6 To complete the curriculum, all candidates shall follow the course in Dentistry and complete the required number of non-core and elective courses of no less than the equivalent of 18 credits as prescribed in the syllabus and shall have been assessed as having made satisfactory progress in assessments and tests of competencies throughout. The course in Dentistry includes, but is not limited to, learning in the basic biomedical sciences, social and behavioural sciences, human diseases and dental clinical sciences.
D7 Self assessment, peer assessment and tutor assessment are used throughout the course to help each candidate in the evaluation of his or her progress in self-directed learning.

Candidates shall be assessed in each semester and during inter-semester periods. Assessment may be conducted in any one or any combination of the following manners: written assignments and assessments or tests; problem-based evaluation exercises; continuous assessment of learning progress and performance; practical and clinical assessments, including tests for the attainment of proficiencies; laboratory work, field work, research and project reports; oral examinations and presentations; or in any other manner as specified in the syllabuses.
D8 Assessments are conducted throughout the course (both during semesters and inter-semester periods) and are not only conducted at the end of each semester.
D9 Courses, or course components, in which a candidate is given a failed grade or in which a candidate has been assessed as having failed to make satisfactory progress, shall not be counted towards the degree, but shall be recorded on the transcript of the candidate.
D10 Candidates who fail to complete satisfactorily, or who fail to make satisfactory progress in, the course(s) in any academic year may be required to repeat a year of study in the manner specified by the Board of Faculty or be recommended for discontinuation of study. Candidates who are required to repeat a year of study may be required to continue learning in parts of the courses in which they have been assessed as having made satisfactory progress. In such an event the assessment outcomes obtained in both years shall be recorded on the transcript of the candidate.
D11 Before a candidate may be considered to have completed the course in dentistry, the candidate concerned shall bring evidence that he or she will have completed his or her twenty-first year of age by June 30 of the calendar year in which the assessment of his or her progress in learning and tests for his or her attainment of proficiencies are due to finish.
D12 A candidate who is unable because of his or her illness to be present for any assessment exercise may be permitted to be assessed at another time. Any application for such permission shall be made within two weeks of the first day of absence from any assessment exercise.
D13 Advanced standing may be granted to candidates in recognition of studies completed successfully elsewhere. The amount of advanced credits to be granted shall be determined by the Board of the Faculty, in accordance with the following principles:
(a) under the provisions in Statute III.5, a minimum of one-year study at this University shall be required before the candidate is considered for the award of the degree; and
(b) satisfactory progress must be maintained throughout each academic year of study in the course in Dentistry of this University.
D14 The degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery may be awarded with Honours, but a candidate shall not be eligible for honours if he or she has been required to repeat any part of the course.

D.59/1104-ii

SYLLABUS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY

A. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The course in Dentistry is an integrated course in which the study of basic biomedical sciences, of social and behavioural sciences and of human diseases relevant to dental practice forms the foundation for and continues alongside the study of clinical dental sciences.

Learning takes place through problem-based learning tutorials, self-directed study, seminars, demonstrations, practical classes, field trips, ward teaching and supervised clinical care for patients, with a limited number of key lectures to supplement the learning opportunities listed above. Whenever practicable students are rostered to small groups.

The course extends over five academic years and is divided into ten semesters and the inter-semester periods. Each semester contains two modules. Each module is numbered. The course thus consists of Dentistry-1 to Dentistry-20. Each module is also coded. DENT1011 and DENT1012 are the First and Second modules in the First semester of the First Year; DENT1021 and DENT1022 are the First and Second modules of the Second semester of the First Year. DENT2011, 2012, 2021 and 2022 are the modules in the Second Year; DENT3011, 3012, 3021 and 3022 are the modules in the Third Year; DENT4011, 4012, 4021 and 4022 are the modules in the Fourth Year; DENT5011, 5012, 5021 and 5022 are the modules in the Fifth Year. Learning objectives are written for each year of the course to guide students in their study during the four modules. Detailed schedules will be provided for each module and for inter-modular and inter-semester dental/clinical skills periods. These, and further specific instructions to students, are made available by the Faculty Office, 6/F Prince Philip Dental Hospital.

Self-assessment, peer assessment and tutor assessment are used throughout the course to help each student in the evaluation of his or her progress in self-directed study. Formal assessments are conducted in each of the ten semesters and during inter-semester periods.

Attendance is required for tutorials, seminars, demonstrations, practical classes, field trips, ward teaching and clinical care sessions. A satisfactory performance in formal assessments and learning generally, including oral health care delivery for patients, is required for continued progress throughout the course to graduation.

Recommendations are made throughout the course for appropriate learning resources to be consulted by students.

First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Years (encompassing modules Dentistry-1 to Dentistry-20)

As progress is made from the First to the Fifth Years students' exposure to the clinical dental sciences progressively increases. However while the learning of the basic biomedical sciences, the social and behavioural sciences and the study of human diseases relevant to dentistry may reduce, it does not cease at any stage throughout the course. Use is made of problems and scenarios relevant to Dentistry to stimulate the learning in appropriate subject areas.

Basic Biomedical Sciences Relevant to Dentistry

Learning takes place of gross topographical anatomy, microanatomy, oral anatomy, neuroanatomy and pre-natal and post-natal developmental growth of head and neck structures. The basic principles of biological and biophysical chemistry, including biologically active molecules, metabolism, oral tissue function and immunology, are studied. Cellular and tissue physiology in so far as they help in the understanding of body systems are studied. An understanding of the principles of drug action, with emphasis on those drugs encountered in dental care delivery, is fostered.

Social and Behavioural Sciences

Psychology and sociology relevant to oral health, behaviour and oral health care are studied. Learning takes place on communication in relation to oral health promotion and oral health care.

Human Diseases

Learning takes place of basic pathological processes - tissue injury and healing, inflammation and infection, tumour growth and immunology - relevant to dentistry. The behaviour and role of microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites - in the causation of human diseases relevant to dentistry are studied. The principles and practice of medicine in the management of human diseases relevant to dentistry are studied and learning takes place of basic surgical principles and the surgical management of human diseases relevant to dentistry. Particular emphasis is placed on appropriate and effective communication between medical and dental professional colleagues in the delivery of oral health care to medically compromised patients. Students are expected to be able to demonstrate and to maintain proficiency in cardio-pulmonary basic life support.

Clinical Dental Sciences

Learning occurs progressively across the range of clinical dental sciences and associated subjects which include: cariology and the epidemiology, causes, prevention and management of dental caries including the restoration of teeth for children and adults; pulp disease, dental trauma and endodontic treatment; periodontology and the epidemiology, causes, prevention and management of periodontal diseases; cranio-facial growth and development, including dental malocclusions and their prevention, diagnosis and orthodontic management; oral diagnosis, including oral radiology; oral diseases, including their causes, clinical presentations, surgical pathology and surgical management; oro-facial pain and its control, including sedation and anaesthesia; biomaterials in relation to oral health care; dental public health including the provision and administration of oral health care, ethics and jurisprudence; oral rehabilitation to acceptable function; dental technology.

A series of curriculum streams runs throughout the learning of the clinical dental sciences from the first year to the fifth year. These include: diagnosis; prevention; cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the management of emergencies; pain (and its control); the masticatory system; diseases; professional behaviour and communication; practice management and clinical skills.

A set of competency statements, covering the competencies expected of a graduate from the undergraduate curriculum of the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, has been produced and will be available to students. These competencies are grouped into the following ten subdivisions:

(a) Professionalism;
(b) Ethics and jurisprudence;
(c) Communication;
(d) Patient assessment and diagnosis of disease;
(e) Treatment planning;
(f) Delivery of oral health care;
(g) Management of dental and medical emergencies and complications arising from the delivery of oral health care;
(h) Oral health promotion and health education;
(i) Oral health care delivery environment; and
(j) Oral health care in the community of the HKSAR and China..

Where testable, it is expected that students must be assessed as having achieved the stated competencies before graduation from the undergraduate course in Dentistry.

B. SYLLABUSES

First Year

DENT1011 Dentistry - 1 (9 credits)
DENT1012 Dentistry - 2 (9 credits)
DENT1021 Dentistry - 3 (12 credits)
DENT1022 Dentistry - 4 (12 credits)
DENT1030 Dental/Clinical Skills (6 credits)

ECEN1301 English for dental students (1) (3 credits)

The main focus of this course is on building up students' confidence in public speaking in English, taking into account their inexperience with a problem-based learning curriculum. The specific objectives are to develop or enhance students' ability to: (1) understand and use appropriately technical dental and medical vocabulary; (2) actively participate in PBL seminars using appropriate discussion skills; (3) cite, criticize and discuss published articles on selected dental topics; and (4) prepare and give an oral presentation based on a PBL problem from the first year dental curriculum. Assessment will be based on an oral presentation on a PBL topic, jointly evaluated by English tutors and Dental Faculty, and the participation and performance in simulated seminar discussions.

ECEN1302 English for dental students (2) (3 credits)

Building on the students' experience with the problem-based learning curriculum, the main focus of this course is on enhancing the English communication skills that student dentists will need in their second year in order to take part in dentist-patient interaction and compose appropriate correspondence. The specific objectives are to develop or enhance students' ability to: (1) simulate dentist-patient communication through discussion of treatment options in non-technical language; (2) write a summary of patients' case notes and treatment choices; and (3) deal with letters of complaint and referral using appropriate language and correspondence formats. Assessment will be based on a simulated dentist-patient interaction and a portfolio of written correspondence.

CDEN1001 Practical Chinese language course (3 credits)

The course is designed to introduce practical Chinese writing skills; the standardized form and different scripts of Chinese characters; letter-writing: official, business and personal letters; office documents: notices, announcements, minutes and reports; the art of public speaking; communication skills; the language of Chinese dentistry journals; and Chinese culture.

YITC1001 Foundations to information technology (3 credits)

Please refer to the syllabus for this course under the "Broadening Courses" section.

Second Year

DENT2011 Dentistry - 5 (12 credits)
DENT2012 Dentistry - 6 (12 credits)
DENT2021 Dentistry - 7 (12 credits)
DENT2022 Dentistry - 8 (12 credits)
DENT2030 Clinical Skills (9 credits)

Broadening course in core humanities/social sciences (3 credits)

Students will be required to select one course from within this category of broadening courses.

Third Year

DENT3011 Dentistry - 9 (12 credits)
DENT3012 Dentistry - 10 (12 credits)
DENT3021 Dentistry - 11 (12 credits)
DENT3022 Dentistry - 12 (12 credits)
DENT3030 Clinical Skills (9 credits)

Broadening course in culture and value studies (3 credits)

Students will be required to select one course from within this category of broadening courses.

Fourth Year

DENT4011 Dentistry - 13 (12 credits)
DENT4012 Dentistry - 14 (12 credits)
DENT4021 Dentistry - 15 (12 credits)
DENT4022 Dentistry - 16 (12 credits)
DENT4030 Clinical Skills (12 credits)

Fifth Year

DENT5011 Dentistry - 17 (12 credits)
DENT5012 Dentistry - 18 (12 credits)
DENT5021 Dentistry - 19 (12 credits)
DENT5022 Dentistry - 20 (12 credits)
DENT5030 Clinical Skills (6 credits)
DENT5031 Elective Studies (6 credits)
  
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