Clinical Periodontics
MSc

About this course

About

Periodontics is one of the fastest growing areas in dentistry and patient expectations are high. The Master of Science (MSc) course in Periodontics will give you the crucial core skills needed to stand out in this specialist area of practice. As part of the course, you will be exposed to advanced and unique training, benefiting from the experience of treating periodontal patients, and simulated patients in state-of-the-art facilities at our Dental Hospital in central Birmingham. This includes advanced periodontal surgery, soft tissue and bone augmentation and implant placement.

We ensure you receive a well-rounded and robust education through in-depth seminars and interactive problem-based scenarios that require periodontal knowledge, clinical skills and proficiency level, with a multidisciplinary approach in order to achieve a safe evidence-based treatment and high patient satisfaction.

Students enrolling in the clinical Master of Science course will be required to perform periodontic procedures on patients as part of the Practical Skills Modules I, II and III. This is available under supervision for the GDC registered clinician in the Dental Hospital in the centre of Birmingham. Students wishing to perform their cases in their own practice will be required to request approval from the faculty at the time of admission, they will describe the availability of appropriate cases and appropriate supervision in their practice setting.

The programme starts by delivering teaching on periodontics. Students will also gain practical and clinical skills in periodontics throughout the programme.

As the programme continues, students will acquire knowledge of periodontal surgery, implant surgery and advanced surgery.

Throughout the programme students will gain competency in research methodology skills, and will submit a final dissertation at the end of the programme.

For further details please visit the College website at comd.org.uk

Our Dentistry programmes are delivered in partnership between Ulster University and the College of Dentistry, Birmingham. By applying to one of our Dentistry programmes you will be consenting to the personal information you provide in your application being shared between Ulster University and College of Dentistry for the purposes of processing your application.

Attendance

This part-time programme is offered as either fully online or blended learning (which involves face to face teaching and distance learning). In the blended learning variant, the students will attend residential schools in each semester of this course in the College.

The duration of the programme is 3 years over 3 semesters each year.

Start dates

• September 2019
• January 2020
• May 2020

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The programme is multi-modular, and all modules have to be completed to progress through the programme. Students must complete all the modules on the programme and the programme does not offer any optional modules. However, the sequence of modules in a given academic year is flexible and not fixed.

In the blended learning variant, teaching will include seminars, practical interactive workshops and training on phantom heads and simulated models.

The course will be delivered completely online in the fully-online variant through synchronous and recorded seminars on the online learning platform. The practical sessions are also recorded, and the relevant materials will be posted to the students to complete the practicals in their own time.

Content

The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

- the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor

- the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement

- the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.

Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.

The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

Calculation of the Final Award

The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).

Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.

All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.

• Read more

  Content

  The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

  Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

  • the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
  • the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
  • the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.

  Attendance and Independent Study

  As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.

  Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.

  The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

  Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

  Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

  Assessment

  Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

  Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

  Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

  Calculation of the Final Award

  The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).

  Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.

  All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

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  The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

  Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

  Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

Introduction to Periodontics

Year: 1

Status: C

The module will prepare the student to competently undertake risk and clinical assessment and diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. It will help them to evaluate various non-surgical treatment options. It will also help them to gain skills to perform non-surgical treatments.

Basic Periodontics

Year: 1

Status: C

The module will prepare the student to competently undertake risk and clinical assessment and diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. It will help them to evaluate various non-surgical treatment options. It will also help them to gain skills to perform non-surgical treatments.

Practical and Clinical Skills in Periodontics I

Year: 1

Status: C

The module will allow the student to competently undertake risk and clinical assessment and diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. It will help them to evaluate and to perform various non-surgical treatment options and to predict and check their outcomes. It will also help them to gain skills to plan a customised future plan of prevention.

Research Methodology I

Year: 1

Status: C

This module will give students the required knowledge to be able to design a research proposal. This is a comprehensive module covering clinical statistics, evidence based practice, critical appraisal, measurement and research design, and explores their specific application in dental research and treatment. It also enables students to identify and access the information they need in the dental literature, reading it from a critical viewpoint, and applying rules and measurements to assess the validity of methodology and conclusions.

Year two

Periodontal Surgery

Year: 2

Status: C

The module will prepare the student to competently evaluate the surgical treatment of periodontal patients according to the different protocols and to weigh risks and benefits of each choice and to predict their outcomes. They will be able to consider the moist suitable post-operative care according to the surgical treatment and to plan the consequent review protocols and management.

Periodontics and Related Disciplines

Year: 2

Status: C

The module will prepare the student to competently evaluate the outcomes of a multidisciplinary teamwork to predict and change periodontally affected teeth and to restore masticatory function in affected patients.

They will be able to consider the moist suitable post-operative care according to the performed treatment and to plan the consequent review protocols and management.

Practical and Clinical Skills in Periodontics II

Year: 2

Status: C

The module will allow the student to competently undertake risk and clinical assessment and diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. It will help them to evaluate and to perform various non-surgical and surgical treatment options and to predict and check their outcomes. It will also help them to gain skills to plan a customised future plan of prevention including a multidisciplinary involvement.

Research Methodology II

Year: 2

Status: C

This module will give students the required knowledge to be able to design a research protocol. This is a comprehensive module covering enhanced knowledge and skills on clinical statistics, evidence based practice, critical appraisal, research design, and explores their specific application in dental research and treatment. It also enables students to efficiently identify and access the information they need in the dental literature, reading it from a critical viewpoint, and applying rules and measurements to assess the validity of methodology and conclusions.

Year three

Implant Surgery

Year: 3

Status: C

The module will prepare the student to competently evaluate the safe implant surgical treatment according to the different protocols and to weigh risks and benefits of each choice and to predict their outcomes. They will be able to consider the most suitable post-operative care to prevent infections according to the treatment and to plan the consequent review protocols and management.

Advanced Surgery

Year: 3

Status: C

The module will prepare the student to understand the principles of surgical assessment and treatment and the risks associated with it of bone grafting and sinus elevation.

Practical and Clinical Skills in Periodontics III

Year: 3

Status: C

The module will allow the students to competently undertake the clinical assessment and the surgical planning of an advanced periodontal/implant case. It will help them to evaluate and to perform various surgical treatment options and to predict and check their outcomes. It will also help them to gain skills to plan a customised future plan of prevention including a multidisciplinary involvement.

Research Dissertation

Year: 3

Status: C

This module will give students the required knowledge to be able to complete all elements of a research dissertation on postgraduate level 7 attainment. This is a comprehensive module covering advanced knowledge and skills on biostatistics, evidence based practice, critical appraisal, research design, and explores their specific application in dental research and treatment. It also enables students to efficiently identify and access the information they need in the dental literature, reading it from a critical viewpoint, and applying rules and measurements to assess the validity of methodology and conclusions.

Entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree of at least 2ii Honours standard or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. In addition, applicants must:

a) have gained a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), or equivalent, or other approved qualification in a cognate area;

b) for those residing outside the UK, be currently registered within their profession within their own country and have access to an appropriate patient base to facilitate study;

c) or those practising on patients in the College:

• be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC)
• provide evidence of good health
• provide evidence of Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance or equivalent

and

d) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GSCE grade C or equivalent) or for international students, a minimum English level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent with no band score under 5.5 or equivalent English language examinations and tests;

and

e) provide two satisfactory references, one of which must be an academic reference.

# Criterion c) is only for those who are practising on patients in the college. If an applicant cannot meet criterion c) then they can undertake the courses but would not practice on patients – their practice would be simulation-based.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Exemptions and transferability

In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to the standard entry criteria, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

Completion of this programme will upskill dental practitioners in the dental specialism and should enhance employability and career progression within this specialist field.

Work placement / study abroad

On the blended-learning variant of delivery, students will attend the College at periods throughout the programme and observe relevant clinical cases.

Apply

Start dates

• September 2019
• January 2020
• May 2020

Contact

Enquiries should be made to Loji Thebe E: l.thebe@comd.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)121 345 9847

For more information visit

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Disclaimer

1. The University endeavours to deliver courses and programmes of study in accordance with the description set out in this prospectus. The University’s prospectus is produced at the earliest possible date in order to provide maximum assistance to individuals considering applying for a course of study offered by the University. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in the prospectus is accurate but it is possible that some changes will occur between the date of printing and the start of the academic year to which it relates. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
2. Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
3. If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
4. The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
5. The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.