Clinical Periodontology

You’ll need to attend up to 25 study/assessment days per year, and of these 20 will be in the Dental Clinic where you will be supported to assess, undertake and ultimately lead in clinical treatment.

To accompany the study days, much of the course content, including lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, videos of lectures and assignments will be delivered to you via the University’s e-learn system. This means you can study from home.

Initially we offer plenary lectures and practical sessions in our state-of-the-art phantom head facility, including work on pig’s head and similar systems. As you move through the first year of the course you’ll progress to working on live patients, under close supervision, in our Dental Clinic. You’ll develop skills that’ll be assessed through Direct Observations of Procedural Skills (DOPS).

Your academic knowledge will develop though presentations, directed reading and case-based discussions. You’ll lead and work in groups too, which are typically <12 per cohort. This is an informal and supportive learning environment.

We must of course have assessments and examinations - these are designed to allow you to monitor your progress and guide your learning as well as testing your core knowledge and skills at regular intervals throughout the programme. Assessments focus on your higher level skills of diagnosis and planning, rather than simply remembering facts. Typical assessments would include analysis of given clinical cases, case presentations, practical tests, written examinations and critical essays.

Modules DX4017 and DX4027 are delivered and assessed online.

The clinical modules, DX4030 and DX4039 are assessed with a blend of course work, written assessments, practical assessments including direct observations whilst treating patients, and seen and unseen clinical case assessments.

Please note, postgraduate qualifications in dentistry are not regulated by the General Dental Council in the UK.