UCL Eastman Dental Institute

What will I learn?

Syllabus

The curriculum includes:

• Anatomy, physiology, histology and pathology of the dental and oral tissues including occlusion.
• Epidemiology and prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease.
• Properties of dental materials.
• Instruments, equipment and sterilisation.
• Radiology in relation to conservative dentistry.
• Diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Anaesthesia in relation to conservative dentistry.
• Restoration of the teeth, endodontic techniques and related surgical procedures.
• Fixed partial prostheses.
• Treatment of occlusal problems.

Module structure

Programme specification

An outline of the structure of the MSc in Conservative Dentistry programme and its assessment is available in the Programme Specification (MS Word).

Aims & Objectives

Scope:

In the United Kingdom, the term Conservative Dentistry has an agreed definition (British Association of Teachers of Conservative Dentistry 1992) :

“ Conservative Dentistry is that subject which includes endodontics, crowns, fixed and semi-fixed bridgework and other operative procedures for the restoration and replacement of teeth. The science related to Conservative Dentistry forms an integral part of the subject “

This definition clearly embraces the use of both natural and implant abutments in fixed cases and an understanding of the relationship between fixed prosthodontics and the use of removable prostheses.

Aim:

The aim of the MSc Programme is to extend knowledge of Conservative Dentistry (as defined above) beyond the level obtained at undergraduate level in order to prepare the candidate for a career in specialist practice, the hospital or community services, industrial dental practice or an academic career.

Three components of the Programme are designed to accomplish this aim:

1. Supervised clinical and laboratory practice in which treatment planning, clinical procedures and technical work are performed for selected cases, including a number of complex treatments.
2. A programme of seminars, practical classes and other didactic sessions commencing with a full-time introductory course and reviewing the clinical and scientific scope of the subject to determine its evidence base.
3. A research investigation leading to a dissertation in which the candidate is required to demonstrate the application of scientific method to a problem of relevance to Conservative Dentistry.

Behavioural Objectives:

When confronted by a patient whose clinical problems require the co-ordinated application of a variety of advanced restorative procedures, the successful candidate should be able to:

1. Identify the anamnestic information, diagnostic examinations and special investigations required. Perform such and/or make appropriate referrals to other medical or dental specialists. Evaluate the results obtained.
2. Formulate at least one treatment plan, including an organised sequence for the delivery of the proposed care, which recognises the need for continuousreassessment of the patient’s response to procedures as they are provided.
3. Defend the selection of treatment methods and the plan of treatment by reference to the relevant dental and scientific literature, demonstrating an awareness of methods for the location and retrieval of up-to date clinical and research publications to enable evidence-based clinical management.
4. Formulate a prognosis for the proposed treatment bearing in mind the factors having a bearing in the individual case and incorporating knowledge derived from studies of outcome and clinical audit.
5. Demonstrate the clinical skills required to carry out the proposed treatment or, in the case of procedures in which he or she is not experienced, indicate awareness of how and where appropriate further experience may be obtained.
6. Have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the laboratory techniques required to be able to generate an unambiguous and achievable prescription for the dental technician and to participate personally in the laboratory work to whatever extent may become necessary.
7. Specify and/or provide a programme of recall examinations, preventive measures and follow-up treatment based upon an assessment of the risks and justify these recommendations with reference to the relevant literature.

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 written papers (MCQ, MSA, essays), 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:

• Regular essays, together with mock written and oral examinations timetabled throughout the programme.
• Grading of all clinical work in a logbook which the graduate must present at intervals
• Presentation of research project presented at separate times throughout the programme.
• In addition graduates general performance is assessed by the Programme Committee 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:

3 sessions of supervised patient treatment
2-3 academic sessions (lectures, seminars, journal club, etc.)
2-5 sessions of self-directed learning

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

Programme director: Dr Lambis Petridis

Mr James Baker
Mr Colin Clark
Dr Krupti Denhard
Mr Nicholas Frankel
Dr Martin Gough
Mr Akil Gulamali
Mr Ken Hemmings
Mr Edward Hems
Mr Nicholas Lewis
Mr Rory McCormick
Dr Ailbhe McDonald
Mr Michael Nesbit
Mr Eoin O’Sullivan
Mr Keval Patel
Dr Rishi Patel
Dr Jose Rodriguez Lewsey
Mr Steve Saberi
Mr Stephen Smith
Dr Steven Soo
Dr Joao De Sousa
Dr Nicola Di Vitale
Mr Michael Weisbloom

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

Dr Paul Ashley, Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry
Dr Avijit Banerjee, Specialist in Restorative Dentistry
Prof Andrew Eder, Specialist in Restorative Dentistry
Mr Kanaan Elias, Specialist Prosthodontist
Mr Daljit Gill, Specialist in Orthodontics
Dr Jane Goodman, Consultant Paediatric Dentist
Dr Kevin Lewis, Dental Director of Medical Protection
Dr Ian Needleman, Specialist Periodontist
Professor Jonathan Knowles, Professor of Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering
Mr Basil Mizrahi, Specialist in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
Dr Ian Needleman, Specialist Periodontist
Dr Paul O’Neilly, Specialist Prosthodontist
Mr Matthew Rose, Specialist Prosthodontist
Dr Lloyd Searson, Specialist in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
Dr Derrick Setchell, Specialist in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
Dr Sharan Sidhu, Specialist in Restorative Dentistry