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

These regulations apply to students admitted to the first year of study for the degree of BDS before the academic year 1998-99.

(See also General Regulations)

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

Master of Dental
Surgery (MDS)

Master of
Orthodontics
(MOrth)

Advanced Diploma in Orthodontics (AdvDipOrth)

Advanced Diploma in Paediatric Dentistry (AdvDipPaediatrDent)

Postgraduate Diploma
in Dental Surgery (PDipDS)

Postgraduate Diploma
in General Dental Surgery (PDipGDS)

D 1 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 his ability to understand and profit from the courses he proposes to follow.

D 2 To be eligible for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, a candidate shall

(a)	comply with the General Regulations; and
(b)	complete the curriculum and satisfy the examiners in the First, Second, Third, Final Part One and Final Part Two Examinations.

D 3 The curriculum shall extend over not less than five years including such academic terms and inter-term learning periods and vacations as may be prescribed, and shall include the First, Second, Third, Final Part One and Final Part Two Examinations, the compulsory class examinations prescribed in the regulations, and such other class tests as may be prescribed by departments and units contributing to the teaching included in the curriculum.

D 4 The first year of the curriculum shall include courses in anatomy; biochemistry; physiology; oral health, behaviour and dental care and first aid.

D 5

(a)	The First Examination comprising anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology shall be held twice annually, in June and September.
(b)	A compulsory class examination in oral health, behaviour and dental care shall be held twice annually during the first year of the curriculum.
(c)	All students shall be required to follow the English Enhancement Course in the first year. The standard of performance of each candidate taking the course will be assessed during the year and the candidate shall continue with English language instruction until such time as the candidate has reached a standard acceptable to the Faculty.

D 6 The second and third years of the curriculum shall include courses in pharmacology; pathology; microbiology; medicine; surgery; therapeutics; paediatric dentistry; orthodontics; conservative dentistry; oral diagnosis and treatment planning; periodontology; local anaesthesia; pain and its control; oral radiology; oral surgery and oral medicine; oral pathology; oral rehabilitation; dental public health; dental materials; dental materials science; dental technology; and oral biology.

D 7 The Second Examination comprising pharmacology, pathology, and microbiology shall be held twice annually in May/June and September in the second year of the curriculum.

D 8 The Third Examination comprising medicine, surgery and dental materials science shall be held twice annually in June/July and September in the third year of the curriculum.

D 9 Compulsory class examinations in the dental subjects of the second and third years of the curriculum shall be held twice annually during the third year.

D 10 The fourth year of the curriculum shall include courses in oral pathology and oral microbiology; paediatric dentistry; orthodontics; conservative dentistry; periodontology; radiology; sedation and general anaesthesia; oral and maxillofacial surgery; oral rehabilitation; dental public health; and dental technology.

D 11 The Final Examination Part One comprising oral pathology and oral microbiology; paediatric dentistry; orthodontics; conservative dentistry; periodontology; radiology; sedation and general anaesthesia; oral and maxillofacial surgery; oral rehabilitation; dental public health; dental materials science; and dental technology shall be held twice annually in June/July and September in the fourth year of the curriculum.

D 12 The fifth year of the curriculum shall include a continuation of learning and clinical exposure in the main dental subject areas within a programme designed to emphasize the integration and application of knowledge and skills and the delivery of total patient care. Courses in practice management, dental public health, dental ethics, jurisprudence and forensic dentistry will be given.

D 13 The Final Examination Part Two comprising all aspects of the delivery of dental care to children, adults, and special groups in the community, with emphasis on the testing of clinical competence, shall be held in June/July and December in the fifth year of the curriculum.

D 14 Before he may present himself for examination a candidate shall satisfactorily complete the courses of study, instruction and practical work leading to the examination and shall achieve a satisfactory standard in the clinical and laboratory work prescribed in the syllabuses; and before he may be admitted to the Final Examination Part Two a candidate shall bring evidence that he will have completed his twenty-first year of age by June 30 of the calendar year in which he presents himself for the Final Examination.

D 15 A candidate who is unable because of his illness to be present for any part of an examination may be permitted to present himself at the next subsequent examination in the appropriate part or parts. Any application for such permission shall be made within two weeks of the first day of absence from an examination.

D 16

(a)	A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in an examination may be required to discontinue his studies under General Regulation G 12.
(b)	A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners and who is not required to discontinue may be required to repeat the whole or any part of the courses prescribed before presenting himself again for examination.

D 17 The examiners in any subject may take into consideration written, clinical or practical work required of the candidates during the course of study, together with results of continuous assessment, class tests and class examinations.

D 18 The degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery may be awarded with Honours but a candidate shall not be eligible for honours if he has presented himself more than once for either the Final Examination Part One or the Final Examination Part Two.

SYLLABUSES FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY

The syllabuses which follow are set out in the form of separate subject entries but the course is co -ordinated throughout so as to provide a high level of integration.

Instruction is provided by means of lectures, seminars, tutorials, demonstrations, practical classes and supervised clinical work. Whenever practicable, and particularly in the dental clinical subjects, the teaching is organized on a small group basis.

Class examinations may be held in any subject.

Attendance is required at practical classes, field visits, seminars, tutorials, clinical sessions and ward teaching sessions and a satisfactory standard of performance must be attained in class examinations and in coursework generally for admission to University examinations.

Recommendations will be made from time to time for text books, reference works, and other necessary reading. These recommendations, and detailed schedules of lecture courses, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions will be provided for each subject. These and lists of equipment required will be available to students from the Faculty Office.

FIRST YEAR

The subjects in the first year are: anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and oral health, behaviour and dental care which are taught over two semesters; and first aid which is taught in the first semester.

Subjects

31113. Anatomy

The course provides the student with the anatomical foundations necessary for the practice of clinical dentistry. It comprises instruction in gross topographical anatomy (during which students dissect the thorax, and the head and the neck), general microanatomy (including the microscopic examination of the major bodily systems), oral anatomy (which deals with all aspects of the structure and development of the oral and dental tissues), neuroanatomy (in which students dissect the human brain) and pre- and post-natal growth (which includes the study of both early embryology and craniofacial biology). Throughout the course, particular emphasis is given to those aspects of anatomy that are relevant to sound clinical practice.

32119. Biochemistry

The course introduces the student to the basic principles of biological and biophysical chemistry and covers the structure and function of biologically active molecules, metabolism and its control, nutrition, the special properties of oral tissues, immunology and medical biochemistry.

34100. Physiology

The first part of the course covers aspects of cellular and tissue physiology and the peripheral nervous system in so far as they help in the understanding of the function of organ systems. The organ systems covered in the later part of the course are: (a) haematopoietic, (b) circulatory, (c) respiratory, (d) urinary, (e) digestive (including physiology of the mouth), (f) endocrine and reproductive, and (g) nervous.

57103. Oral health, behaviour and dental care

The course is designed as an introduction to behavioural sciences and the common oral health problems. It also provides an introduction to psychology and sociology with emphasis on their relationship to oral health and dental care. Students will be introduced to the dental clinical setting and will be taught the clinical application of the basic science subjects. They will also be offered training in study and communication skills.

59100. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid

This course is designed to provide training in cardiopulmonary basic life support leading to an examination and certification of competency in cardiopulmonary basic life support. The course also provides an understanding of the principles in the provision of first aid.

SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH YEARS

In addition, courses are taught which emphasize the relevance of related disciplines to the teaching of dental clinical subjects. These include applied oral biology, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology which are taught in the second year; medicine and surgery which are taught in the third year; and oral pathology and oral microbiology which are taught in the fourth year.

Subjects

33200. Pharmacology

The course is designed to impart a rational understanding of the principles of drug action, with emphasis on those drugs commonly encountered in dental practice. The aim is to provide a sound theoretical foundation for the subsequent study of dental therapeutics.

46200. Pathology

The course is designed to provide an understanding of the basic pathological processes in a manner suited to the special needs of dental students. The subject matter comprises the general effects of tissue injury, the body's reactions to injury as exemplified in inflammation and infections, disorders of circulation, diseases of the blood, the basic principles of tumour growth, and the basic principles of immunology with emphasis on host defence against infection and on basic mechanisms of disease.

42200. Microbiology

The course introduces the student to the behaviour and role of micro-organisms as causative agents of human disease; it is integrated with the teaching in immunology provided in the Department of Pathology.

The subject matter includes fundamental aspects of medical bacteriology, virology and parasitology with emphasis on interactions between micro-organism and host.

56200. Applied oral biology

The course is designed to provide the students with an advanced knowledge in specific areas of the basic sciences which have particular relevance to the practice of dentistry.

56404. Oral Microbiology and Oral Pathology

41300. Medicine

The course is designed as an introduction to the principles and practice of medicine (including tropical medicine and clinical pharmacology); emphasis is given to areas of special relevance to dentistry; attendance for a period of instruction and practical work in the wards and out-patients department is required.

48300. Surgery

The course is designed to teach basic principles of surgery and surgical pathology; and to demonstrate clinical surgery. Attendance for a period of clinical instruction and practical work is required.

51200/51300/51400. Paediatric Dentistry

On completion of the course, the student should be able competently to diagnose common oral conditions in children and to develop an appropriate treatment plan for dental conditions commonly seen in general practice. The student should develop an appreciation of the importance of early intervention, prevention of oral diseases and the delivery of high quality restorative dentistry in children, and the recognition of cases that should be referred to specialists in paediatric dentistry.

The course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of and competence in: the aetiology, incidence, diagnosis, clinical features and treatment of malocclusions; the benefits of early treatment; the risks and benefits of orthodontic treatment; the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

On completion of the course the student should be able to manage simple adjunctive treatments in general dental practice and should understand the need for specialist referral. An interest in orthodontics should have been developed which will persist throughout professional life and which will lead some into specialist orthodontic training.

The course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of and competence in: the aetiology, histopathology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental caries and pulpal disease; the clinical use of dental materials to restore individual teeth, e.g. silver amalgam, resin composite, glass ionomer cement, gold and porcelain; the principles and practice of endodontic treatment; and the management of ancillary support staff.

On completion of the course, the student should be competent to accept responsibility for the preventive and restorative care of patients requiring the management of dental caries and its sequelae.

57200/57300/57400. Periodontology

The course is designed to provide the student with a knowledge of the epidemiology of periodontal diseases; their aetiology, histopathology, prevention and treatment; and the integration of the treatment of chronic periodontal disease into comprehensive oral health care.

59201/59301/59401. Radiology

The course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of basic radiation physics and radiation biology, with emphasis on hazards and practical protection measures; principles of radiography; principles of interpretation; and the radiology of oral pathology. Practical sessions are used to gain experience of radiographic techniques on manikins and patients, and to develop skills in interpreting orofacial radiographs.

The course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the general concepts of pain; the biological aspects of pain in relation to its perception, transmission, interpretation and reactions; and the various aspects of pain and its control in dentistry. The anatomical basis, theory and practice of local anaesthesia are taught within this course.

The course is designed to provide the student with a knowledge and understanding of the pharmacology, physiology, therapeutics and technology relevant to analgesic, sedative and general anaesthetic techniques. The theoretical basis and practice of inhalation and intravenous sedation are discussed together with that of general anaesthesia, with particular emphasis on the clinical differentiation between sedation and anaesthesia, and on the holistics of safety in patient care and management in sedation and general anaesthesia.

The whole course has the secondary objective of providing a sound basis for the safe clinical practice of sedation and a basis for postgraduate training in the practice of anaesthesia for dentistry.

The course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of oral diseases, their aetiology, pathology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and principles of management. This course is closely integrated with the course in oral pathology and oral microbiology so that the students may better understand the basic mechanisms of oral disease.

On completion of the course the student should be competent in the diagnosis and management of common oral conditions, the extraction of teeth, the management of complications arising therefrom and the performance of minor oral surgical procedures. Students are expected to have an understanding of the principles of management of oral and maxillofacial surgery conditions including facial injuries, facial deformities and cleft lip and palate, oral malignancy, oral manifestations of systemic disorders and the management of the medically-compromised patient.

The course is designed to provide the student with a knowledge and competence in those aspects of dental care which are aimed at achieving and maintaining the oral health of individuals who have lost some or all of their natural teeth, associated structures and other oral/facial tissues.

The need for a multidisciplinary and preventive approach to patient care is emphasized.

The course is designed to provide the student with a knowledge of the theory and practice of preventive dentistry; health behaviour and the provision of health care for the individual and the community and the administration of health care.

52202/52302. Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

The course is designed to enable the student to develop a critical appreciation of a patient's needs, experience in a range of investigations and a knowledge of stabilization procedures related to dental diseases. It also assists the student in the provision of dental health education for his patients, to make decisions in the planning of dental care and to appreciate the resource implications of dental care.

The course is designed to provide the student with a fundamental knowledge of the principles underlying the mechanical, physical and chemical properties; the structure at molecular, microscopic and macroscopic levels; and the behaviour in all relevant aspects of each class of material used in dentistry in relation to their function, application, handling and service. Included are impression materials; investment materials; model and die materials; dental resin-based restoratives, cements and lining materials; dental alloys; dental amalgams; acrylic and other polymers; porcelain; solders and fluxes; abrasives and polishing materials; waxes; soft and hard tissues; and other relevant materials.

At the end of the course the student should be competent in justifying selection criteria and manipulation instructions for all classes of materials relevant to the practice of dentistry.

50201/50301/50401. Dental Technology

The teaching of dental technology, which is designed to provide the student with an understanding of and practical competence in the techniques of dental technology, is largely integrated in the courses in paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, conservative dentistry, and oral rehabilitation, but aspects of dental technology are also related to the practice of oral surgery and periodontology. By the end of the clinical courses, the student should have sufficient understanding of dental technology to be able to communicate with dental technicians in a meaningful way, and to have a full understanding of the technological implications of a prescribed treatment.

FIFTH YEAR

The fifth year comprises a programme which is designed to enhance clinical knowledge and skills, with an emphasis upon inter-disciplinary patient management and the concept of total patient care. It will include a continuation of learning and clinical exposure in the main subject areas of dentistry.

Subjects

50508 Family Practice Clinic

This course enables fifth year students to experience the environment of a well managed, high quality general dental clinic in which everyone strives to form a better understanding of how best to meet patients' needs. Students are expected to work together with ancillary staff to formulate, and then execute to a high standard, relatively simple treatment plans within a friendly and co-operative atmosphere.

50509 Dental Practice Management

This course, which includes a number of outside speakers, will give students an insight into the knowledge and skills required for working effectively in general dental practice. Students will be required to visit at least two Hong Kong private dental practices. The course will stress the importance of understanding the business and economic aspects of the dental care marketplace; applying business and management skills and principles in the successful operation of a dental practice; establishing and operating effective systems and procedures; and management of and effective interaction with other members of the dental care team.

50510 Extended Clinical Experience

This component takes place in the various clinical areas in the Prince Philip Dental Hospital and allows students to refine clinical skills on patients whose treatment needs are considered too complex to be carried out in the Family Practice Clinic. The sessions are intended to supplement the training received in the Family Practice Clinic and to increase the students' confidence in undertaking more complex treatments. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to attend a number of wide-ranging consultation and diagnostic clinics run by members of staff from all clinical disciplines in the Faculty.

50511 Block Teaching Courses

These courses take the form of two one-week blocks of teaching in `Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery' (OMFS) and `Dental Treatment of Patients with Special Needs'. The aims of the OMFS block are to consolidate the earlier teaching on the principles of maxillofacial surgery, including patient care and orthognathic surgery; to gain further experience in the management of emergencies in oral surgery and of patients undergoing intravenous sedation; and to observe the management of patients attending the Accident and Emergency Unit at Queen Mary Hospital. The goal of the `Special Needs' block is to build on previously gained didactic knowledge with practical experience which will give the student the confidence to treat patients with special needs in general practice.

57502 Dental Public Health

In this course the students will conduct community health projects which aim to bridge the gap between theoretical dental public health as taught in the dental faculty and the `real world' situation. The project takes the form of an extra-mural group exercise in which students select and collect epidemiological information on a particular community dental health issue. The course provides training and experience in problem selection, protocol development, team development and critical appraisal.

EXAMINATIONS

Compulsory Class Examinations will be held in the first year in oral health, behaviour and dental care and in the third year in the dental subjects, and may include written work, practical work, and oral examinations.

The Final Examination Part One held in the fourth year comprises written papers, clinical, practical and oral examinations covering the following five groups of subjects:

• Conservative Dentistry

• Oral Rehabilitation

• Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

• Periodontology and Public Health

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Including Oral Pathology, Oral Microbiology, Radiology and Anaesthetics.

Distinctions may be awarded in each of the five subject groups.

The Final Examination Part Two held in the fifth year covers all aspects of clinical dentistry and the delivery of dental care for children, adults and special groups in the community including ethics and jurisprudence; it comprises a written paper and clinical, practical and oral examinations (including presentation of cases treated and projects conducted by students). A distinction may be awarded in this Examination.