Outline

Overview

An understanding of Internal and General Medicine as it relates to the practice of clinical Oral Medicine is acquired by rotation through various medical specialty clinics including: Head and Neck Radiation Oncology, Haematology (with emphasis on the care of patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplants), Dermatology, Immunology and Radiology/Nuclear Medicine. An emphasis is placed on understanding and application of principles of pharmacology. Candidates also attend the Medical Grand Rounds at Westmead Hospital

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Discipline of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Diagnostics
Credit points	3
Prerequisites ?	DENT5221 and DENT5222 and DENT5223 and DENT6012
Corequisites ?	DENT5124 and DENT5125 and DENT6013
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mark Schifter, mark.schifter@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Suma Sukumar, suma.sukumar@sydney.edu.au
	Ben Karim, ben.karim@sydney.edu.au
	Mark Schifter, mark.schifter@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Skills-based evaluation	Continuous sessional assessment Clinical skills evaluation	15%	Progressive	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Clinical viva voce Oral examination	20%	STUVAC Due date: 01 Jun 2023 at 09:00	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised test ?	Written examination (for DENT5126) Extended responses	65%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2023 at 09:00	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Continuous sessional assessment (for DENT5126 and DENT5226): Continuous sessional assessment occurs during each pre-clinical and clinical session. These assessments aim to determine student development of clinical competency with patient care as developed during the semester. The assessments also contribute to progression decisions and include consideration of professionalism; patient management and communication.
Oral viva voce (for DENT5126 and DENT5226): In both semesters 1 and 2, there are 40 to 50 minute general viva voce examinations in which both oral pathology and oral medicine are examined in concert with internal and general medicine, covering the full range of both theoretical and clinical aspects of these disciplines, with the expected standard to be that of a specialist in oral medicine. An external examiner will participate in this examination in Semester 2.
Written examination (for DENT5126 and DENT5226): In both semesters 1 and 2, there are 3 hour written papers with 4 essays each, from a choice of 5, each of 25% value. Subject matter to be examined will include the full range of theoretical and clinical oral medicine as well as internal and general medicine, with the expected standard to be that of a specialist in oral medicine
Clinical viva voce (for DENT5126 and DENT5226): In both semesters 1 and 2, there are clinical viva voce examinations based on two previously unseen clinical cases each, being a short case of approximately 30 minutes examination of a patient, and a long case of 40-50 minutes examination of a second patient. The viva voce examination follows close after patients are seen, and is for up to 50 minutes. Description, diagnosis and treatment planning for the two patients is expected to be at the level expected for a specialist clinician in oral medicine. An external examiner will participate in this examination in semester 2.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Corticosteroids, steroid sparing agents and biologicals	Seminar (3 hr)
	Chemotherapy	Seminar (3 hr)
	Drug reactions	Seminar (3 hr)
	Anti-depressants and anti-convulsants	Seminar (3 hr)
	Journal club discussions	Clinical practice (2 hr)
Ongoing	Head and Neck Radiation Oncology Clinic	Clinical practice (3 hr)
	Haematology Clinic	Clinical practice (3 hr)
	Dermatology Clinic	Clinical practice (3 hr)
	Immunology Clinic	Clinical practice (3 hr)
	Radiation / Nuclear Medicine Clinic	Clinical practice (3 hr)
	Medical grand rounds	Clinical practice (3 hr)
Weekly	Self-directed learning	Independent study (15 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance is a professional responsibility required of all students admitted to academic programs within the Sydney Dental School. All programs in the Sydney Dental School have a 90% attendance policy, for all compulsory components of Units of Study, as detailed in the Faculty of Dentistry Attendance Provisions 2015. This includes all clinical and practical sessions. The course requirements cannot be satisfied if more than 10% of any section of a course is missed for any reason.
Professionalism: Students in all Sydney Dental School programs are subject to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Requirements 2019 and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Provisions 2019. Professionalism is an essential component of developing competency to practice. It is important for students to demonstrate professional behaviour in all contexts and environments. In accordance with these local provisions: candidates who demonstrate serious or repeated unprofessional behaviour may be required to show cause as to why their enrolment should be continued. Failure to show cause may result in exclusion from the course.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Relevant text and journal articles are provided to candidates.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of disease conditions in medical specialty clinics, appropriate to the level expected of a specialist practitioner in oral medicine
LO2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the application of principles of pharmacology, appropriate to the level expected of a specialist practitioner in oral medicine
LO3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the spectrum of internal medicine including the aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, prevention and epidemiology of systemic disease, appropriate to the level expected of a specialist practitioner in oral medicine.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Oral Medicine - 1. Professionalism - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately 1.b. practising with personal and professional integrity, honesty and trustworthiness 1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health 1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations 1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s 1.f. understanding and applying legislation including that related to record-keeping 1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning 1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and 1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession. 2. Communication and social skills - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 2.a. identifying and understanding a patient’s, or their parent’s, guardian’s or carer’s expectations, desires and attitudes when planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.b. communicating effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development, social and cultural background 2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and 2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas. 3. Critical thinking - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and 3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories. 4. Scientific and clinical knowledge 4.1. Generic - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following areas of knowledge, as relevant to the specialty: 4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature 4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences 4.1.c. development, anatomy, physiology and pathology of hard and soft tissues of the head and neck 4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and 4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients. 4.2. Specific - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following areas of knowledge, as relevant to the specialty: 4.2.a. the basis and management of orofacial pain 4.2.b. oral and maxillofacial oncology 4.2.c. oral and maxillofacial manifestations of systemic disease 4.2.d. the principles and application of general medicine, and 4.2.e. the principles and application of pharmacology 5. Patient care 5.1. Generic - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests 5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and 5.1.c. managing complications. 5.2. Specific - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 5.2.a. diagnosing and managing oral mucosal and soft tissue conditions in the oral and maxillofacial region 5.2.b. diagnosing and managing the oral and maxillofacial manifestations of systemic diseases and disorders 5.2.c. diagnosing and managing disorders of major and minor salivary glands 5.2.d. diagnosing and managing disorders of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory apparatus, and 5.2.e. diagnosing and managing orofacial pain.
	Oral Medicine - 1. Professionalism - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately 1.b. practising with personal and professional integrity, honesty and trustworthiness 1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health 1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations 1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s 1.f. understanding and applying legislation including that related to record-keeping 1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning 1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and 1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession. 2. Communication and social skills - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 2.a. identifying and understanding a patient’s, or their parent’s, guardian’s or carer’s expectations, desires and attitudes when planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.b. communicating effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development, social and cultural background 2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and 2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas. 3. Critical thinking - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and 3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories. 4. Scientific and clinical knowledge 4.1. Generic - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following areas of knowledge, as relevant to the specialty: 4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature 4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences 4.1.c. development, anatomy, physiology and pathology of hard and soft tissues of the head and neck 4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and 4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients. 4.2. Specific - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following areas of knowledge, as relevant to the specialty: 4.2.a. the basis and management of orofacial pain 4.2.b. oral and maxillofacial oncology 4.2.c. oral and maxillofacial manifestations of systemic disease 4.2.d. the principles and application of general medicine, and 4.2.e. the principles and application of pharmacology 5. Patient care 5.1. Generic - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests 5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and 5.1.c. managing complications. 5.2. Specific - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 5.2.a. diagnosing and managing oral mucosal and soft tissue conditions in the oral and maxillofacial region 5.2.b. diagnosing and managing the oral and maxillofacial manifestations of systemic diseases and disorders 5.2.c. diagnosing and managing disorders of major and minor salivary glands 5.2.d. diagnosing and managing disorders of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory apparatus, and 5.2.e. diagnosing and managing orofacial pain.
	Oral Medicine - 1. Professionalism - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately 1.b. practising with personal and professional integrity, honesty and trustworthiness 1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health 1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations 1.e. displaying appropriate professional behaviour and communication towards all members of the dental team and referring health practitioner/s 1.f. understanding and applying legislation including that related to record-keeping 1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning 1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and 1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession. 2. Communication and social skills - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 2.a. identifying and understanding a patient’s, or their parent’s, guardian’s or carer’s expectations, desires and attitudes when planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.b. communicating effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development, social and cultural background 2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and 2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas. 3. Critical thinking - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and 3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories. 4. Scientific and clinical knowledge 4.1. Generic - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following areas of knowledge, as relevant to the specialty: 4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature 4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences 4.1.c. development, anatomy, physiology and pathology of hard and soft tissues of the head and neck 4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and 4.1.e. management and treatment planning with multidisciplinary engagement for complex cases, including compromised patients. 4.2. Specific - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following areas of knowledge, as relevant to the specialty: 4.2.a. the basis and management of orofacial pain 4.2.b. oral and maxillofacial oncology 4.2.c. oral and maxillofacial manifestations of systemic disease 4.2.d. the principles and application of general medicine, and 4.2.e. the principles and application of pharmacology 5. Patient care 5.1. Generic - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests 5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and 5.1.c. managing complications. 5.2. Specific - A graduate specialist is expected to be competent in the following, as relevant to the specialty: 5.2.a. diagnosing and managing oral mucosal and soft tissue conditions in the oral and maxillofacial region 5.2.b. diagnosing and managing the oral and maxillofacial manifestations of systemic diseases and disorders 5.2.c. diagnosing and managing disorders of major and minor salivary glands 5.2.d. diagnosing and managing disorders of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory apparatus, and 5.2.e. diagnosing and managing orofacial pain.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students must comply with work health and safety, infection control and dress standard policies of all laboratories, placement sites and Local Health Districts (LHDs).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

DENT5126: Internal and General Medicine Level 3A

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect