MSc in Dental Science for Clinical Practice

This programme orientates internationally qualified dental graduates to that of a UK dental practitioner by providing a comprehensive grounding in six key training areas: basic sciences and their application to modern day dental practice, applied principles of clinical dentistry, clinical skills, communication skills, professionalism, management and leadership.

The course is delivered under three broad headings:

1. Taught

Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:

• Relevant basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, immunology, microbiology and molecular biology with respect to health and how these are altered in disease states
• Patho-physiological and anatomical basis for clinical signs of oral and craniofacial health and disease
• Relationships between dental disease, population risk factors and the preventative measures
• And integrate this knowledge to dental areas through discussions in:
• Basic and clinical science associated with pharmacology and therapeutics used in dentistry
• The science underpinning the key properties of dental materials and evaluate their clinical applications

2. Clinical

Students' clinical skills will be augmented through practical, laboratory based sessions using typodont teeth set in a manikin head.

• Operative skills will be taught to ensure students can undertake skilled, competent and safe dental procedures including cavity design, extra-coronal restorations, and non-surgical endodontic treatment.
• Simulated clinical techniques will be undertaken and the student will be introduced to decision making processes leading to tooth loss and replacement and execution of appropriate operative techniques for all stages of planned prosthodontic treatment (excluding bridges and implants) in conjunction, as necessary, with other specialists and technicians.
• Students will observe current UK dental practice via clinics in oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontology, pediatrics, prosthodontics, radiology, and orthodontics.
• Tutoring in Objective Structured Clinical Reasoning Examinations (OSCE) and Structured Clinical Reasoning (SCR) Exams will be carried out using the advanced facilities in the state of the art dental skills laboratory.

3. Research

The research component consists of a structured literature review and clinical audit report. Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:

• Critical appraisal and analysis of scientific and clinical literature
• How clinical audit identifies problems in clinical service and helps formulate solutions
• Appropriate tools for searching the literature (search engines, web-based libraries, electronic documents)
• Students will develop the analytical skills to be able to:
• Critically appraise, analyze and evaluate scientific papers and clinical literature applying the principles of evidence-based dentistry
• Evaluate evidence of the latest developments in Dentistry

Communication skills will be developed throughout the taught, clinical and research elements of the course with specific topic presentations during seminars as well as through journal club reports and presentations on dental and clinical governance topics.

The application deadline is 30th June 2019.  Once we have received applications by the deadline the first selection process will begin. We reserve the right to receive the further application after the deadline and make decisions on those applications in July/August subject to places being available.