UCL Eastman Dental Institute

What will I learn?

Syllabus

The programme of study comprises the following components:

• Introductory programme
• Basic sciences in relation to Endodontics
• Applied sciences relevant to Endodontics
• Diagnosis and treatment planning
• Rationale for management of pulpal and periradicular diseases and problems.
• Aetiology, pathogenesis, assessment and management of treatment failure
• Inter-relationships with other specialties – Theoretical aspects
• Inter-relationships with other specialties – Clinical aspects
• Development of practical clinical judgment and skills
• Research Project.

In the first year, the seminars are chaired and guided by a lecturer and run jointly with the participants of the MSc programme, following the same structure. The goal is to establish a basic level of understanding across the whole subject area using recommended classical literature. This is done through a process of literature analysis and synthesis. In the second year, the MClinDent students effectively run their own self-directed seminars, which they chair according to their group needs. Their remit is to pursue the literature in greater depth and also carry out self-directed searches of areas of their personal interests. The students should therefore attain a higher and deeper level of knowledge and understanding of the subject,
In the second year, the MClinDent students have the opportunity to consolidate their skills, as well as gain experience in a variety of endodontic techniques and establish a clinical working knowledge and deeper understanding of the interfaces with other disciplines through clinical interface clinics where practical/clinical experience is gained as well. The interface teaching includes both Laboratory and Clinical components as appropriate and are organised for the following areas; Restoration of root-treated teeth (Laboratory and Clinical components), Implantology (Laboratory and Clinical aspects of single unit Implants), Perio-endo interface (Laboratory and Clinical - including regenerative surgery), Management of orofacial pain (Course and Clinical), Management of Traumatic injuries (Course and Clinical aspects) and management of patients with special needs (Clinical aspects).

Module structure

Programme specification

An outline of the structure of the MClinDent in Endodontology and its assessment is available in the Programme Specification (MS Word).

Aims & Objectives

There is a national and overseas demand for dental surgeons who are highly knowledgeable in Endodontology and possess specialised clinical skills in Endodontics. The requirements of such individuals are three-fold:

1. To provide a clinical service to help manage prevalent endodontic problems;
2. To help disseminate knowledge of the subject more widely to general dental practitioners and other specialised health care groups;
3. To engage in research in Endodontology to advance knowledge of pathogenesis of disease, its natural history, its prevalence/incidence and association with various factors and finally its prevention and treatment.

This programme aims to help meet the demand both nationally and internationally for dental surgeons with a high level of clinical, academic and research expertise in Endodontics.  It involves both clinical and academic aspects, and can be incorporated as part of the first two years of a London Postgraduate Deanery and Royal College of Surgeons Specialist Advisory Committee approved UK specialist training programme for UK. It is therefore to train qualified dental surgeons with the ‘requisite’ postgraduate experience to establish a basic foundation of academic knowledge in Endodontology and to instil a high level of clinical competence in the practice of Endodontics. The overall educational aim of the MClinDent in Endodontology Programme is to help develop the cognitive, psychomotor and interpersonal skills required to enable a graduate to undertake the independent practice of endodontics at a specialist level. The programme should also be a suitable spring-board for pursuing academic, clinical or research careers in Endodontics.

On completion of the programme, the postgraduate should be able to demonstrate the following skills/knowledge/ accomplishments:

• A broad foundation of knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of Endodontics.
• An understanding of the evidence base for Endodontics including the areas of deficiency and likely avenues of future development.
• An ability to collect relevant clinical information from patients to formulate an overall integrated restorative plan in conjunction with other specialists.
• An ability to analyse endodontic problems, discuss available options and select appropriate treatment for each patient.
• An ability to systematically plan the management of an endodontic problem and the clinical and surgical skills to execute it with a high degree of competence.
• To communicate effectively and professionally with referring clinicians.
• Sufficient understanding of research to critically assess new research work and to design research projects in the discipline of Endodontics.
• The ability and motivation to maintain themselves abreast of theoretical and practical developments and modify practice as appropriate.

More generally:

• Analyse his or her personal needs in respect of continuing professional development and education. Identify resources which may be used to satisfy these and play an active role both in the delivery and receipt of such education throughout the professional career whether by personal scholarship, formal educational activity or involvement in research.

Assessment

Summative assessment

The programme follows a modularised structure. The modules have a credit weighting and are separately assessed. This includes an assessed research project (dissertation) and other forms of assessment such as continuous assessment of skills laboratory and clinical works, written papers (MCQ, MSA, essays) and practical/clinical/oral examinations.

Formative assessment

Clinical, practical and academic skills are assessed throughout each graduate's time at the Eastman. Some of this assessment is “formative” i.e it does not contribute to the final degree result but does aid the learning experience. The following formative assessments are employed:

• Clinical work is assessed on a day to day basis by graduate students and supervisors grading clinical work after each session and also during the weekly clinical case discussions. A member of staff will review your case-logs on a monthly basis, which will combine with reports from all members of staff on your general performance which contributes to a monthly summary report to the Eastman Department Teaching Committee.
• Academic progress is assessed from monthly essays, during seminars and mock written and oral examinations.
• Graduates general performance is assessed through regular appraisal meetings and by the Programme Committee.

Teaching methods

Timetabling

Due to the nature of the programme the timetable varies during the academic year. However, a typical week for a full-time graduate on the programme is likely to comprise the following sessions:

• Five sessions of patient management (supervised treatment, assessment, multi-disciplinary clinics or administration)
• Three academic sessions (seminars)
• Two sessions of laboratory endodontic technique course (self-directed learning) which will be reduced to one session from February in the 1st year
• One session of research project starting from February in the 1st year and two session of research project in the 2nd year

Normal working hours are 09.00 – 17.00, Monday – Friday, however on occasions some activities may take place outside these core hours i.e. Morning case discussions and evening clinical case discussions.

Programme director: Dr Yuan-Ling (Paula) Ng

Programme coordinator: Dr Morgana Vianna

Mr Ian Alexander
Mr Sanjay Ardeshna
Mr Robert Crawford
Mrs Glynis Evans
Professor Kishor Gulabivala
Mr Glen Karunanayake
Mr Charles Merivale
Mr Alyn Morgan
Mr Alexandra Mustard
Mr Geoffrey St. George
Mr Murray Saunders

In addition the programme invites several high profile guest lecturers, these are listed below:

Mr Graham Bailey
Endodontic Practice in London, UK / Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Endodontology UCL Eastman Dental Institute

Prof. A Dickenson
Pharmacology, University College, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK

Prof. P Goadsby
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCLH, London, UK

Prof. K M Hargreaves
Department of Endodontics, University Texas, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Prof. M Koltzenburg
Neural Plasticity Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK

Prof. P Machtou
Department of Endodontics, University of Paris, Paris, France

Professor Ram Nair
Institute of Oral Biology, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland

Mr Asgeir Sigurdsson
Endodontic Practice in Reykjavik, Iceland / Honorary Clinical Teacher in Endodontology at UCL Eastman Dental Institute

Wicher Joerd van der Meer
University Hospital of Groningen / Centre for Special Care Dentistry at Assen. / Honorary Research Associate at UCL Eastman Dental Institute