UCL Eastman Dental Institute

What will I learn?

Syllabus

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 specialities 
Development of practical clinical judgement and skills
Research project

Module structure

Programme specification

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

Aims & Objectives

Aims

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:

• To provide a clinical service to help manage prevalent endodontic problems;
• To help disseminate knowledge of the subject more widely to general dental practitioners and other specialised health care groups;
• 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.

The overall educational aim of the Endodontic MSc Programme is to help develop the cognitive, psychomotor and interpersonal skill required to enable a graduate to undertake the independent practice of endodontics at a above special interest level but below a specialist level.

Objectives

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

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 work, 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 or administration)
• Three academic sessions (seminars)
• Two sessions of laboratory endodontic technique course (self-directed learning) up to end of January
• Two sessions of research project starting from February

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: Mrs Morgana Vianna

Mr Sanjay Ardeshna
Mr Graham Bailey
Mrs Glynis Evans
Mr Rahul Goria
Professor Kishor Gulabivala
Mrs Sela Hussain
Mr Richard Kahan
Mr Glen Karunanayake
Mr Charles Merivale
Professor Ram Nair
Mr Geoffrey St. George
Mr Murray Saunders
Mr Asgeir Sigurdsson

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

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.

Dr. M Sheriff
Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK