Overview

This one-day CPD course is designed to further dental surgeons' understanding of surgical concepts and techniques.

It acts as an introduction to basic flap surgery and will cover:

• biological concepts of soft and hard tissue management during surgery
• understanding healing processes
• implementing any relevant surgical skills through a hands-on learning approach

Course aims

The course aims to give you a comprehensive introduction to basic flap surgery.

This will include an understanding of:

• principles of flap surgery
• rationale, indications and contraindications
• available techniques and flap designs
• soft and hard tissue management

The course also aims to:

• familiarise you with the outcome of surgery and provide a clear understanding of wound healing (review of evidence)
• familiarise you with the rationale, techniques and materials of suturing commonly used in flap surgery
• improve/sharpen your basic surgical skills for routine flap procedures

Course content

Topics

The following areas will be covered:

• Introduction to surgery: indications, contraindications and advantages
• Factors influencing the outcome of surgery, including complications following surgery
• Flap designs (indications and contraindications)
• Wound healing (immediate, short and long term) and what to expect
• Armamentarium
• Sutures (types and materials)

You'll also look at working with aseptic techniques and surgical set-up including the following:

• Working area preparation
• Patient preparation
• Surgeon and nurse (scrubbing up)
• Disposals

Hands-on practicals

The following hands-on practicals will use a pig jaw model:

• Introduction to surgical instruments
• Flap design (with or without releasing incision, full or partial thickness flap)
• Coronally advanced flap
• Apically repositioned flap
• Suturing (technique and material)

There will be time allowed at the end for Q & As.

Who this course is for

The course is suitable if you:

• have an interest in surgery
• are a beginner in dental surgery or are keen to update your knowledge and surgical skills

You must hold an approved dental qualification.

CPD points and certificate

The course will give you 6.5 hours of verifiable CPD. You'll also get a certificate of attendance.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course you should feel confident in managing straightforward flap surgical procedures including:

• understanding the basic principles and treatment planning
• flap design, elevation and repositioning
• suturing techniques and suture materials, and the rationale for using them

You should also:

• be able to recognise indications, contraindications, limitations and possible complications
• be aware of the different techniques of flap design
• have knowledge of the mechanisms of wound healing and factors which interfere with periodontal wound healing
• be able to incorporate the learned knowledge and skills into your treatment planning and clinical management of patients in your daily practice

Structure and teaching

Teaching is in small groups to enhance learning and improve teacher-student interaction.

The day is split into:

• morning lectures covering the background, biological and clinical concepts, supported by evidence based literature for each topic
• hands-on practicals in the afternoon (practical aspects involve working on a pig jaw animal model)
• Q&As and case discussions at the end of the day

Quality controls

All Eastman teachers are experienced professionals. You'll be asked to submit written feedback via a questionnaire at the end of the course, which is used to monitor the course's quality of teaching and value for money.

Refunds

Please read the Eastman's refunds policy before booking.

Course team

Dr Shiefung Tay

Dr Tay completed her MFDS qualification from the Royal College of Surgeons (England), entering the three-year full time specialist training focusing on periodontology and implant dentistry at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute. She was also awarded a distinction for her Masters in Clinical Dentistry and a Certificate in Periodontology by the European Federation of Periodontology.

Dr Tay is currently a General Dental Council-registered specialist in periodontics and works mainly in private practice. She's also a teacher at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute for CPD and a part-time clinical research associate, contributing to the fields of academia and science.

Course information last modified: 27 Nov 2023, 16:38