Clinical Dental Therapy 1: Foundation for Dental Practice module (DS21002)
Begin your journey as a dental therapy student. Build foundational knowledge and clinical skills in simulated environments
Dental Therapy 1 lays the groundwork for your entire course. The module is designed to support and help you make the transition to independent learning and professional practice.
You will study the scope of dental therapy, professional regulation, and the role of the dental therapist within the wider dental team and society. Foundation biomedical sciences take you from cells to body systems, with an introductory focus on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and their interface with dentistry.
Clinical skills are developed in simulated environments, covering oral examination, periodontal instrumentation, infection control, temporary dressings, crown re-cementation, and basic life support. You will also begin developing the communication skills needed for your first patient contact in Module 2. Teaching combines case-based tutorials, lectures, practicals, and small group activities.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- Understand the scope of practice of the dental therapist and the wider dental team, the standards expected of regulated professionals, and your role in patients' health and wellbeing
- Build the foundation biomedical sciences knowledge that underpins the medical history, from molecules and cells to body systems in health and disease
- Identify the normal anatomy of the dentition, oral cavity, and perioral structures and apply this in a simulated patient examination
- Apply knowledge of plaque-related diseases and communication skills to take a history and deliver oral health advice to simulated patients
- Demonstrate competency in infection control, periodontal instrumentation, temporary dressings, recementing crowns with temporary cement, and adult Basic Life Support
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe the scope of practice of the dental therapist and wider dental team, and the professional standards expected of a regulated practitioner
- Demonstrate knowledge of the body from molecules to systems, underpinning the assessment of a patient's medical history
- Identify and describe the normal anatomy of the dentition and oral cavity and apply this in simulated examination
- Demonstrate competency in infection control procedures as a key part of patient safety
- Demonstrate competency in periodontal instrumentation, temporary dressings, recementing crowns with temporary cement, and adult Basic Life Support in a simulated environment
Assignments / assessments
Knowledge assessment (30%)
- Normally in December exam diet (week 13)
- 90-minute examination
- Single best answer and extended matching item questions
Periodontal instrumentation skills assessment (15%)
- Normally in December exam diet (week 12)
- 60-minute practical examination
- Task-based, simulated treatment
- Must be passed before progressing to patient care in Module 2
Objective Structured Clinical Exam (15%)
- Normally in December exam diet (week 13)
- 60-minute exam
- Multi-station circuit examination to assess clinical or clinically related skills
Coursework (30%)
- Normally 3 assignments assessing communication and reasoning
Portfolio (10%)
- Online portfolio piece assessing reflection, personal and professional development
Teaching methods / timetable
- Case-based tutorials
- Interactive classes, lectures and practicals
- Small group activities
- Simulated clinical environments – Clinical Skills training and Early Clinical Experience in the clinical environment
- Face to face and online synchronous/asynchronous delivery
Courses
This module is available on the following courses: