Approaches to training

Unlike traditional Masters programmes (MSc), Masters in Clinical Dentistry or (MClinDent) are less academically focused, they incorporate a significant amount of clinical content making them an ideal training pathway for general practitioners. This article explains why dentists should consider investing time and money in a MClinDent and the profound influence it will have on professional life.

 

The objective of MClinDent programmes is to provide dental surgeons with the core knowledge and clinical skills essential for

the delivery of competent, highquality dental care. Additionally it promotes an understanding of the different requirements essential to the provision of ethical, predictable and evidence-based treatment.

 

 

Many MClinDent training programmes can be taken part time, saving valuable practice time; some courses can even be taken over the weekend and use of the internet means support is readily available. Ideally programmes should be modular, delivering units of concentrated training and permitting time between teaching episodes for reflection and application of new clinical knowledge and techniques in practice. This is an innovative approach to postgraduate dental education providing flexible study options, including actual clinical practice under supervision.

 

 

A MClinDent can be awarded in a number of the established dental specialities including newer fields of dentistry. For example the City of London Dental School offers MClinDent courses in:

 

 

The aim of this clinically orientated programme is to demystify oral surgery and develop surgical abilities in areas such as bone grafting and endodontic surgery. The MClinDent programme delivers the knowledge required to perform surgical procedures skillfully and competently. This programme provides supervised clinical training and offers the opportunity to apply in practice the principles of diagnosis and treatment planning.

 

 

Fuelled by the media demand, elective, cosmetically driven dentistry is increasing, but dentists must be able to ensure that they have the restorative abilities to meet the challenge of high patient expectations. This MClinDent course takes restorative skills to the next level building on undergraduate training enabling dentists to predictably plan the aesthetic outcome of even the most challenging of restorative cases. Training encompasses periodontology, prosthodontics, endodontics and cosmetic dentistry. During this very practical course dentists will receive training ensuring they will have the restorative competencies

to confidently and consistently deliver highly aesthetic treatment outcomes consistent with oral health.

 

 

Implant dentistry is now one of the fastest growing areas of dentistry and patients’ expectations are high. Undergraduate training often does not adequately cover this subject and the General Dental Council expects all dentists undertaking implant treatment to be able to demonstrate appropriate training.

 

An important feature of the MClinDent in implant dentistry is the supervised clinical training where students actually place implants and compile a portfolio of evidence comprising of cases they have actually treated. Clinical training will entail, single, multiple implant placement culminating in full arch restorations and advanced bone grafting procedures including sinus augmentation.

 

 

Increasing numbers of general practitioners are being asked by their patients young and old to provide orthodontic treatment

driven by new invisible tooth alignment modalities, which are being heavily promoted. Dentists keen to participate in this growing area should be aware of the limitations and have the skills to be able to identify suitable patients and the ability

to provide adjunctive orthodontic fixed appliances when indicated. An important feature of the MClinDent in orthodontics is

the supervised clinical training where students treatment plan orthodontic cases and provide appliance therapy. On completion of this programme dentists will be able to confidently treat and identify suitable orthodontic cases.

 

 

This programme is perfect for anyone who wants to increase the range of endodontic options they can offer to patients. It

equips them with the confidence and theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to treat the most challenging and endodontically compromised tooth. On this programme you will learn the latest endodontic techniques and be trained to

work with a clinical microscope to provide optimal results for your patients. In common with all MClinDent courses there

is a strong hands-on clinical element involving the supervised treatment of patients.

 

 

The general public appreciates more than ever the importance of maintaining their oral health and is increasingly investing

considerable effort and expense in complex restorative procedures. All this has increased the demand for periodontal

and oral health maintenance orientated treatment. This programme will teach the latest periodontal theories and treatment protocols and how you can deliver them predictably to your patients. During this practical programme dentists will receive supervised clinical training in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the periodontaly compromised patient and the importance of an effective maintenance protocol.

 

 

All the MClinDent courses offered by The City of London Dental School are awarded by BPP University. They are three years long, full or part time and structured to a standard training template sharing a common structure of modules. Students who successfully complete the first two years may withdraw from the programme with a postgraduate diploma. At the end of the third year, students will be awarded a MClinDent in their chosen field of dentistry. On completion of a MClinDent programme dentists will have significantly improved their clinical skills and be able to confidently manage more complex treatment plans and communicate these more effectively to their colleagues and patients. Ultimately this will enrich their professional careers

to the benefit of their patients.