Course coordinator
Dr Marisca Pereira
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2026 (27/07/2026 - 21/11/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- Dentistry School
This course provides a foundation in dental public health and professionalism in the practice of dentistry. The course explores principles of behaviour management in clinical care. Professional matters such as ethics, governance and regulation of dental practice in Australia will also be covered. The competency building activities of this course will provide students with learning through workshops and a series of case-based learning.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
DENT7221
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
DENT4000
Restrictions
Restricted to students enrolled in the DDM program only.
Course contact
Lecturer
Dr Marisca Pereira
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of communication skills, health law and ethics, inter-professional practice and information literacy.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe patient’s rights to health care and explain complaint mechanisms at practitioner and governance level.
LO2.
Explain principles of responsible communication and professional use of media.
LO3.
Reflect on the importance of practising with personal and professional integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness.
LO4.
Analyse and make judgements on scenarios which involve patients' consent, confidentiality, and autonomy.
LO5.
Apply the policies of the regulatory bodies that govern the provision of oral health services in Australia.
LO6.
Critically apply the ethical principles and legal responsibilities underpinning the provision of dental care.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Ethical Scenario VLOG | 30% |
28/08/2026 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Policy Brief | 40% |
16/10/2026 5:00 pm |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
30% Must Pass |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/11/2026 - 21/11/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Ethical Scenario VLOG
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
28/08/2026 4:00 pm
Task description
Students will be presented with a choice of five ethical scenarios. Each student is required to individually produce a reflective response that thoughtfully engages with the scenario selected. The reflection must integrate relevant ethical concepts, theories, and frameworks discussed in class. The submission format should be a video. Students may optionally use a PowerPoint presentation to accompany their reflection.
Assessment security
Open assessment: In this assessment you can use resources such as your notes, course materials, and other tools, including AI, while completing the task. The focus is not on memorising information, but on understanding, applying judgement, and demonstrating your own thinking.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalty applied for late submission
Policy Brief
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
16/10/2026 5:00 pm
Task description
In this task, you are required to choose a contemporary issue and author a policy brief on a contentious issue relating to either: National health law, AHPRA policies, guidelines or codes, complaint mechanisms governance level, or principles of professional use of media or any other gaps identified within the current guidelines applicable to Australian dentist. You should aim your policy brief at policymakers within the Dental Board of Australia (DBA).
Assessment security
Open assessment: In this assessment you can use resources such as your notes, course materials, and other tools, including AI, while completing the task. The focus is not on memorising information, but on understanding, applying judgement, and demonstrating your own thinking.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalty applied for late submission
End of Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30% Must Pass
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/11/2026 - 21/11/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05, L06
Task description
A 1-hour exam consisting of different question types including but not limited to multiple choice, short answer questions, short essays and problem-solving covering content from Week 1 to Week 13 (inclusive).
This is a MUST PASS assessment item (achieve a minimum of 50% to pass).
Assessment security
Secure assessment: This assessment is designed to protect academic integrity and assess your understanding of course concepts. You must only use the approved materials and tools for this assessment task. Use of prohibited materials in this task may be investigated and treated as academic misconduct. See assessment instructions for more details.
Hurdle requirements
This is a MUST PASS assessment item (achieve a minimum of 50% to pass).Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of less than 20% |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 20% but less than 45% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than 50% OR Attains the overall pass mark BUT has failed a hurdle requirement |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 50% but less than 65% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 65% but less than 75% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of 75% but less than 85% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 85% and has passed the hurdle requirements |
Additional course grading information
Percentage marks will be rounded to the nearest whole number - e.g., 84.4% rounds down to 84%, and 84.5% rounds up to 85%. This applies to all grade cutoffs except for a grade of 4. The minimum pass mark is 50%, and a pass cannot be achieved by rounding up from 49.5%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (27 Jul - 02 Aug) |
Workshop |
Week 1 :27/07/2026-02/08/2026: Dentistry in Australia Topic 1: Dentistry in Australia A description of the profession of dentistry within Australia and defining professionalism.
Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 2 (03 Aug - 09 Aug) |
Workshop |
Week 2: 03/08/2026-09/08/2026: What is Bioethics? Topic 2: What is bioethics? The ethical principles involved with dentistry and how they help inform professional practice. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L06 |
Week 3 (10 Aug - 16 Aug) |
Workshop |
Week 3: 10/08/2026-16/08/2026: Regulation, AHPRA and Dental Board Topic 3: Regulation, AHPRA and Dental Board An introduction to the legal system and laws that impact dentistry. Accessing and understanding regulations Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 4 (17 Aug - 23 Aug) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 4: 17/08/2026-23/08/2026: No Workshop No Workshop |
Week 5 (24 Aug - 30 Aug) |
Workshop |
Topic 4: Negligence, deception and conflict of interest Topic 4: Negligence, deception and conflict of interest Legal framework for negligence and compensation under Australian laws and risk management principles. Explores paternalistic and non-paternalistic deception. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Week 6 (31 Aug - 06 Sep) |
Workshop |
Week 6: 31/08/2026-06/09/2026: Autonomy, Consent and Confidentiality Topic 5: Autonomy, consent and confidentiality Exploring the key concepts of autonomy, consent and confidentiality including ethical and legal considerations. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L06 |
Week 7 (07 Sep - 13 Sep) |
Workshop |
Week 7: 07/09/2026-13/09/2026: Ethical issues in practice Topic 6: Ethical issues in practice Scope of practice, standard of care, duty to treat and terminating a patient/dentist relationship. Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06 |
Week 8 (14 Sep - 20 Sep) |
Workshop |
Week 8: 14/09/2026-20/09/2026: Quality control Topic 7: Quality control Evaluation of quality control: self and others. Mandatory reporting and whistle blowing. Learning outcomes: L05, L06 |
Week 9 (21 Sep - 27 Sep) |
Workshop |
Week 09: 21/09/2026-27/09/2026: Ensuring Practitioner Health Topic 8: Ensuring practitioner health Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Week 11 (12 Oct - 18 Oct) |
Workshop |
Week 11: 12/10/2026-18/10/2026: Dentistry as a business Topic 11: Dentistry as a business Business ethics versus professional ethics. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L06 |
Week 12 (19 Oct - 25 Oct) |
Workshop |
Week 12: 19/10/2026-25/10/2026: Expanding scope of dental practice Topic 12: Expanding scope of dental practice Evidence-based practice: ethics of differences in opinion versus differences in science. Learning outcomes: L04, L06 |
Week 13 (26 Oct - 01 Nov) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 13: 26/10/2026-1/11/2026: No workshop |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: