UCL Eastman Dental Institute

What will I learn?

Syllabus

The curriculum includes:

• growth and development of the face, jaws and dentition
• aetiology of malocclusion
• diagnosis, planning and treatment of a range of malocclusions using removable, functional and fixed appliance systems (including preadjusted Edgewise typodont course)
• the mechanisms of tooth movement, biomechanics and dentofacial orthopaedics
• orthodontic materials science
• outcomes and long-term effects of orthodontic treatment
• multidisciplinary treatment procedures including cleft lip and palate, orthodontic-surgical and orthodonticrestorative treatments
• biostatistics; research methodology; epidemiology and indices in orthodontic research.

Module structure

Programme specification

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

Aims & Objectives

The Orthodontic Programme aims to develop the academic, clinical and technical skills required to enable the graduate to undertake the independent practice of orthodontics. In particular it aims to provide an understanding of:

• Orthodontic diagnostic assessment
• The aetiology of malocclusion
• Orthodontic treatment planning
• The scope and limitations of orthodontic treatment
• The principles of somatic and facial growth as applied to orthodontics
• The principles of tooth movement under the influence of orthodontic forces
• Orthodontic mechanotherapy using a wide range of appliance systems
• Biomaterials relevant to orthodontics
• Radiology and radiography as applied to orthodontics including cephalometrics
• Prescribing and manufacture of laboratory-produced appliances
• The diagnosis, planning and management of patients requiring multidisciplinary care

The skills acquired should enable the trainee to:

• Interpret the literature critically
• Understand the principles of research
• Understand the principles of normal and abnormal facial growth
• Appreciate the scope and limitations of orthodontic treatment
• Diagnose malocclusions, identifying aetiological factors
• Develop appropriate treatment plans
• Treat malocclusions to a high standard of outcome
• Be aware of the factors associated with stability of the result

Assessment

Clinical, practical and academic skills are assessed throughout each graduate's time at the Eastman.

Summative assessment

The MClinDent (advanced Training) programme is a modular programme and this means that each module has a formal assessment. The assessments for all 1st and 2nd year modules must be passed to obtain the final degree.

Formative assessment

There are also informal assessments which do not count to the final marks of the programme. Assessment of academic progress is through a series of assignments and subsequent seminars. Graduates should be able to recall and demonstrate an understanding of factual information and its clinical relevance. The graduate should demonstrate the application of this knowledge to the clinical situation and this is assessed through diagnostic clinics, case seminars and chair-side treatment of patients.

In addition graduates general performance is assessed by the Departmental Consultants and a monthly report submitted to the Eastman Divisional Teaching Committee.

Teaching methods

Timetabling

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

5 sessions of supervised patient treatment
1 session on a consultant led teaching clinic
1 academic session (lectures, seminars, etc.)
3 sessions of self-directed learning (labwork, administration, self-directed study)

Normal working hours are 09.00 – 17.00, Monday – Friday however on occasions some activities may take place outside these core hours.