Clinical Dentistry 9 module (DS50020)

​​In this module, you will integrate learning from all dental disciplines to provide individualised patient centred care. You will work alongside a range of experienced dentists, including specialists, in Integrated Oral Care clinics at the Dental Hospital as well as in outreach centres located in NHS Tayside, NHS Fife, NHS Grampian, and NHS Highland. 

​You will participate in specialist consultant-led clinics including restorative dentistry, oral medicine, oral surgery, paediatric dentistry, and orthodontics. This will give you insight into a range of specialist areas of dental practice. 

​You will also develop management and leadership skills, embed evidence-based practice, and build the foundations for lifelong learning and postgraduate training. 

​What you will learn 

​In this module, you will: 

• ​Meet the standards required for registration with the GDC as a “Safe Practitioner“ 
• ​Demonstrate competence across a range of clinical and non-clinical domains, providing evidence that you are ready to practise Dentistry independently

​By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• ​Demonstrate competency in reflecting on leadership and mentoring experiences in the dental setting 
• ​Demonstrate leadership skills within the dental team and dental setting 
• ​Demonstrate understanding of the management of, and management skills required in a dental practice 
• ​Demonstrate the skills and understanding to critically appraise, synthesise and summarise evidence in a dental context 
• ​Demonstrate the ability to underpin clinical practice with an evidence-based approach 
• ​Demonstrate and understanding of the evaluation of new developments and the impact on existing clinical dental practise 
• ​Demonstrate competency in synthesising information gathered from and about a dental patient to formulate a comprehensive evidence-based treatment plan 
• ​Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding to manage complex patient presentation making appropriate judgements about their dental care 
• ​Demonstrate competence in taking a holistic approach to providing clinical dental treatment for adult and child patients in a range of dental settings 
• ​Demonstrate competency in managing medical emergencies including provision of intermediate life support 
• ​Demonstrate an understanding of the working relationship and communication required with dental specialist colleagues and those from other healthcare professions 
• ​Demonstrate understanding of their responsibilities as a dentist to themselves, their colleagues, their patients and the profession 
• ​Demonstrate knowledge of the process and value of appraisal of self and colleagues 
• ​Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate their own performance and others' performance and respond accordingly 
• ​Demonstrate the ability to reflect on their own performance and others' performance and respond accordingly 
• ​Demonstrate the ability to review and audit their own performance and others' performance and respond accordingly 
• ​Demonstrate the ability to develop a personal development plan and understand the importance of being a lifelong learner 
• ​Demonstrate an understanding of the journey from 'safe beginner' to independent dental practitioner

Assignments / assessments

• ​​Knowledge assessment (30%)
  • Online examination using single best answer and extended matching item questions 
• ​Integrated Structured Clinical Examination, ISCE (15%)
  • Structured assessment of clinical knowledge and patient care skills 
• ​Clinical case presentation (15%)
  • Presentation of treated patient case demonstrating clinical reasoning (including evidence based practice), reflection and holistic care 
• ​Coursework (30%)
  • This includes an elective report (10%), two logbook assessments (5% each), and a group work exercise focussed on professional standards (10%) 
• ​Portfolio assessment (10%)
  • Reflective exercise focussed on identifying ongoing development needs as you transition to postgraduate practice​

Teaching methods / timetable

​​The majority of learning is developed through intensive clinical placements in the dental hospital in Dundee and our Outreach clinics in Inverness, Aberdeen, Arbroath, Kings Cross (Dundee), Perth, Cupar and Kirkcaldy. All clinical groups consist of 7 or fewer students, so you can be assured of close supervision and support. Exposure to techniques and methods used by a wide variety of experienced clinical supervisors equips you with a broad range of clinical skills and experiences ahead of qualification. 

​Although deliberately busy to prepare you for a demanding clinical career, space exists within the timetable for self-study and preparation. 

• ​Lectures 
  • ​A series of in-person lectures contained within 3 lecture weeks spread acorss the year 
  • ​Includes external speakers providing industry experience and knowledge 
  • ​Focussed on integration of knowledge (clinical and non-clinical) 
• ​Workshops 
  • ​Within the lecture weeks, opportunities exist for working together in workshops with staff. These are focussed on discussion and integration of knowledge across disciplines​