# UWA Dental School ## Circulated to STUDENTS – January 2026 Prioritize image text but use PDF text to resolve ambiguities. If the text is in a different colour, format as bold. Errors may occur with the pdf text — if it is obviously corrupted or error-ridden then ignore it. ## Some tips for your case portfolio Here are some general suggestions and tips on your Case Portfolio format. If you have a system and format for which you have reflected and received critical feedback, continue to use it and you do not need to make radical change. However, if you are wondering how or where to start here are some tips and suggestions. Refer to the sample case portfolio on LMS. This is a sample only, but it is a standard we would like all of you to achieve and work towards. It is understood that there are circumstances why your portfolio may need to be varied. Most importantly it will be assessed on its own merits with the clinical information you present. Rubrics for the portfolio are available on LMS. The main message, which might seem obvious, but is an observation from many portfolios seen over the years is just to spend time on getting the details of your portfolio right. * Trial the Headings and Styles functions on Microsoft Word or equivalent. This will automatically format headings and content pages for you. (eg: 1. ; 1.1; 1.1.1….etc) * Tip: add headers/footers to each page so we know which patient we are on. There is functionality on Word that allows you to enter a different header/footer for each section. * Maintain consistency in formatting and terminology over the all the cases, Examiners look for this as it demonstrates you have not rushed, put in effort and thought out the portfolio. For example: * If you use the word "caries", use it throughout the portfolio, do not refer to it as "decay" * Use classifications "Kennedy-Applegate Classification for partially dentate patients" * Map out both the cases you wish to include in your portfolio and with headings to give you an overview of what to include. * Your two case portfolio is to be submitted as one PDF document. * Before submitting to LMS ensure the portfolio file size is below 25Mb using compression software or other tools. * Regularly backup to OneDrive or other cloud storage. * Other instruction on submitting the portfolio to LMS are available from the Guidelines and Protocols. * Spend time arranging photographic and radiographic images and dating them accordingly. * Ensure they are set/laid out and you may choose to use the Tables function to set this out. * Crop and rotate/flip the images so that distracting aspects are removed (lips, retractors, etc) #### General Portfolio Advice Here are some general suggestions and tips on your Case Portfolio format. If you have a system and format for which you have reflected and received critical feedback, continue to use it and you do not need to make radical change. However, if you are wondering how or where to start here are some tips and suggestions. Refer to the sample case portfolio on LMS. This is a sample only, but it is a standard we would like all of you to achieve and work towards. It is understood that there are circumstances why your portfolio may need to be varied. Most importantly it will be assessed on its own merits with the clinical information you present. Rubrics for the portfolio are available on LMS. The main message is just to spend time on getting the details of your portfolio right. #### Document Structure and Technical Setup - Trial the **Headings and Styles** functions on Microsoft Word or equivalent. This will automatically format headings and content pages for you (e.g., 1.; 1.1; 1.1.1, etc.). - **Tip:** Add headers/footers to each page so we know which patient we are on. There is functionality on Word that allows you to enter a different header/footer for each section. - Map out both the cases you wish to include in your portfolio and with headings to give you an overview of what to include. - Your two case portfolio is to be submitted as one PDF document. - Before submitting to LMS ensure the portfolio file size is below **25Mb** using compression software or other tools. - Regularly backup to OneDrive or other cloud storage. - Other instruction on submitting the portfolio to LMS are available from the Guidelines and Protocols. #### Consistency and Professionalism Maintain consistency in formatting and terminology over all the cases. Examiners look for this as it demonstrates you have not rushed, put in effort, and thought out the portfolio. For example: - If you use the word "caries", use it throughout the portfolio; do not refer to it as "decay". - Use classifications such as "Kennedy-Applegate Classification for partially dentate patients". #### Image Management Spend time arranging photographic and radiographic images and dating them accordingly. - Ensure they are set/laid out; you may choose to use the **Tables** function to set this out. - Crop and rotate/flip the images so that distracting aspects are removed (lips, retractors, etc.). UWA Dental School Circulated to STUDENTS – January 2026 * Use the time now to think about what clinical information is missing and what images (clinical photos, photos of labwork, PAs, denture designs etc) or clinical information (chart, pulp tests, dietary analysis, aesthetic analysis, etc) you need to illustrate the points you wish to convey in your portfolio. * You would see that the student in the sample portfolio has taken detailed photos of designs and aspects of the laboratory work. You need to decide if this is valuable and relevant to your case. * This is an important reflective skill, when regular clinical practice resumes you will be expected to look at a patient and think “what other information do I need?” (to help support my treatment decision) * If you don’t have the information, then think about how you will explain the absence of this information. * Read and understand the theory and rationale for the treatment decisions you have made. * Refer to the literature, using a wide variety of sources, journals and textbooks (avoid casual or incomplete references like “Rosenstiel fixed pros textbook” or “lectures Loh 2019” for example). * Examiners will accept different levels of clinical progress, but their expectations of your academic and theoretical knowledge are proportionately higher. * If you are not already using endnote, it will help catalogue your references. * Utilise a consistent referencing format. * Reference after **each** case. * Do not list the references at the end of your two case portfolio. * This may result in duplicated and repeated references per patient. * Use Vancouver referencing style. https://guides.library.uwa.edu.au/vancouver https://guides.library.uwa.edu.au/referencinguwa * Examiners will look at this as it demonstrates that you have methodically and thoroughly listed your information sources. January 2025 #### Clinical Evidence and Reflection - Use the time now to think about what clinical information is missing and what images (clinical photos, photos of labwork, PAs, denture designs etc.) or clinical information (chart, pulp tests, dietary analysis, aesthetic analysis, etc.) you need to illustrate the points you wish to convey in your portfolio. - You would see that the student in the sample portfolio has taken detailed photos of designs and aspects of the laboratory work. You need to decide if this is valuable and relevant to your case. - This is an important reflective skill; when regular clinical practice resumes you will be expected to look at a patient and think “what other information do I need?” (to help support my treatment decision). - If you don’t have the information, then think about how you will explain the absence of this information. #### Academic Rationale and Theory - Read and understand the theory and rationale for the treatment decisions you have made. - Refer to the literature, using a wide variety of sources, journals and textbooks (avoid casual or incomplete references like “Rosenstiel fixed pros textbook” or “lectures Loh 2019” for example). - Examiners will accept different levels of clinical progress, but their expectations of your academic and theoretical knowledge are proportionately higher. #### Referencing Guidelines - If you are not already using Endnote, it will help catalogue your references. - Utilise a consistent referencing format. - Reference after **each** case. - Do not list the references at the end of your two case portfolio. - This may result in duplicated and repeated references per patient. - Use **Vancouver** referencing style. - Examiners will look at this as it demonstrates that you have methodically and thoroughly listed your information sources. [^1]: Original PDF page 1: [[Some tips and suggestions on your case portfolio 2026.pdf#page=1|Some tips and suggestions on your case portfolio 2026, p.1]] [^2]: Original PDF page 2: [[Some tips and suggestions on your case portfolio 2026.pdf#page=2|Some tips and suggestions on your case portfolio 2026, p.2]]