Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Orthodontics (MScD)

Course Aims

The course offers knowledge and expertise for complete specialist training in orthodontics.

Special Features

• High-quality clinical training.
• Excellent clinical and academic facilities.

Course Description

Established for over 35 years and one of the longest-running clinical training programmes in the UK, the Orthodontics MScD programme is designed to provide clinical and academic training for future specialists in Clinical Orthodontics in a highly professional and rewarding environment.

The course equips students with the skills needed to perform as a competent specialist in orthodontics, with focus on the clinical, theoretical and research areas required for provision of adequate patient care.

A 3-year full-time course open to Home, EU and Overseas students, successful completion of the programme will result in the award of a Masters Degree in Orthodontics. The course is also recognised for training purposes by the Royal Colleges for the Membership in Orthodontics of both Edinburgh and the Bicollegiate examination.

Didactic, self-directed and problem-based modular teaching extends throughout the 3-year programme. Clinical training is provided within the teaching hospital and within district units in Swansea, Newport, and North Glamorgan. The first two years of the programme consist of structured research.

Course Structure

The course requires full time attendance over a 3-year period, with the final examination in the Spring of year 3. The course consists of three main elements:

a.) a taught course covering evidence-based topics that are consistent with the recommendations of the World Federation of Orthodontists, European and National guidelines

b.) a clinical practical element of supervised management of selected problems of dento-facial abnormality

c.) a research project and preparation of a dissertation.

Throughout the programme, each student will spend 5 clinical (half day) sessions per week providing direct patient care and one session per week attending new patient and joint clinics. One (half day) session per week is dedicated to academic teaching in the autumn and spring terms, and 3 (half day) sessions are timetabled for research and personal study in the autumn and spring terms. An additional session is available for research during the summer term resulting in there being approximately 560 hours available.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Learning and teaching will be via clinical teaching and instruction; a seminar programme; case review and interactive clinical presentations; guided critical reading and journal clubs; research forum presentations and critical appraisal of research methodologies; individual research guidance; attendance at regional and national meetings of relevance; and self directed learning and presentation in small group forums to encourage a problem based learning method.

Available Modules

This is a non-modular programme - see further information in the course description.

Assessment

There are summative and formative assessments throughout the three year programme with research being assessed through a final dissertation in year 3.

Skills Acquired

Graduates from this programme will be able to

• Diagnose anomalies of the dentition, facial structures and functional conditions
• Detect deviations of the development of the dentition, of facial growth and occurrence of functional abnormalities
• Formulate a treatment plan and predict its course
• Carry out interceptive orthodontic measures
• Execute simple and complex treatment procedures
• Work together in multi-disciplinary teams for the treatment of compromised (adult) patients, orthodontic surgical cases and cleft palate patients
• Evaluate the need for orthodontic treatment
• Understand psychological aspects relevant to orthodontics
• Further develop a scientific attitude and an enquiring mind
• Undergo training in scientific methodology
• Further develop their ability to interpret scientific literature
• Carry out a research project
• Prepare oral and written presentations of clinical and research findings

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme are able to go on to careers in Orthodontic Specialisms.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally have passed the FDS or MDS qualifications of the Royal College of Surgeons and who have a broad clinical experience. Previous audit and research experience is beneficial. The ORE qualification is also required.  Information on how to register can be found at the General Dental Council website. International applicants must provide proof of their English Language proficiency (IELTS score of 7.0 or above). Short-listed applicants will be interviewed by the course committee.

Home students for the MScD Orthodontic programme can only be considered alongside an StR application which must be made consecutively to the MScD application. For further details about the StR post please contact Gabby Boyland, Speciality Training Administrator at BoylandG@cardiff.ac.uk or phone 029 2074 2459.

Application deadline: January 14th before the start of the course

Next intake: September 2013

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