Position Summary
Clinical practice placements must provide participants with the learning experiences to enable them to apply
theory to patient care safely and with high quality.
1.Background
1.1. Clinical practice placements are regarded as an essential element in the education and training of dental
students involving multiple members of the Dental Team.
1.2. Clinical practice placements provide the ability for dental students to engage in hands on learning to
complement their theoretical and pre-clinical education.
1.3. The content and volume of learning opportunities and skills developed may vary widely depending on each clinical placement.
1.4. Placement numbers and demand in Australia have increased due to:
• increased numbers of dental students;
• the introduction of new curricula;
• limited clinical facilities at universities; and
• demand from students for broader clinical experiences.
Definitions
1.5 BOARD is the Dental Board of Australia.
1.6 DENTAL TEAM comprises a mix of dentists and other registered dental practitioners and support
staff and must at all times be headed by a dentist who is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment
planning, delivery of dental procedures and continuing evaluation of the oral health of the patient.
The dentist supports and directs the other members of the dental team working directly with them.
1.7 CLINICAL PRACTICE PLACEMENTS (PLACEMENTS) are positions in clinics which provide clinical
teaching for dental students.
1.8 DENTAL PRACTITIONER is a person registered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency via the Board to provide dental care.
1.9 CLINICAL SUPERVISOR is a person providing professional guidance to Participants.
2. Position
2.1. Placements for dental students should further the knowledge, attitudes and skills of dental students.
2.2. Placements for dental students should provide observation and/or participation in a range of clinical
experience for dental students which is commensurate with their anticipated scope of practice in the
following:
• Both public and private sector dental practice
• Community and hospital settings: and
• Regional and remote areas.
2.3. Education providers and facilitators of Placements should ensure the protection and safety of the public.
2.4. Dental students must be provided with high quality academic support and clinical supervision and a
broad range of clinical experience.
2.5. Clinical supervision and teaching of dental practitioners must be by an equivalent division or higher
scope registered Dental Practitioner for the skills being taught.
2.6. The Australian Dental Council should ensure the inclusion of clinical placements in accredited dental
courses.
2.7. Placements must fully comply with Board requirements.
2.8. Clinical Supervisor must be registered as Dental Practitioners by the Board to at least the level of the
Division for which the student participant is training, be able and competent to provide clinical support to
patients receiving care.
2.9. The Clinical Supervisor must not be subject to conditions by the Board.
2.10. Academic institutions and government departments/agencies participating in Placements must provide
appropriate training, support and offer appropriate financial remuneration for clinical supervisors.
2.11. Governments should provide adequate funding to ensure that Placements may be conducted throughout Australia.
2.12. Educational outcomes for Placements must be clearly defined.
2.13. Placements must be subject to regular comprehensive evaluations of educational outcomes.
