Oral Health Sciences

Description

The Dundee Dental Hospital and School has modern clinical, lecture, tutorial and laboratory facilities, including a dedicated computer-aided learning suite. As well as the annual intake of 10 BSc Oral Health Sciences students, there is an annual intake of approximately 60 BDS (dental) students and many of the teaching and learning experiences are shared. The Dental School has a thriving Students' Society, a student-run coffee bar and an excellent programme of student-led social activities.

The Dental School performs consistently well in league tables for both research and teaching. The University of Dundee Dental School is a top UK dental school as noted in the Guardian University Guide 2011 and The Complete University Guide.

Professional Accreditation

This programme has full approval from the professional governing body for dentistry in the UK, the General Dental Council (GDC).

Dental hygiene and dental therapy are concerned with maintaining and managing aspects of oral and dental health and preventing oral and dental diseases. This requires an understanding of the whole body, knowledge of the mouth and an appreciation of social influences as well as precise manual skills.

Dental hygienists and therapists are part of the dental team, with dentists, dental nurses and dental technicians. The group comprising dental nurses, hygienists, therapists and technicians are known as dental care professionals (DCPs). Dental hygienists and therapists work to a treatment plan provided by a dentist. They help patients develop and maintain good oral health. They do this by restoring teeth (doing fillings) and, for child patients, they can also carry out extractions, pulp therapy and stainless steel crowns. The treatment of periodontal (gum) disease is also a major component of the work. Their preventive role includes giving advice on diet, oral hygiene and smoking cessation. Other care they can provide is the taking and developing of radiographs and the taking of impressions.

Learn more from the British Association of Dental Therapists or the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy.

There is a current shortage of dental professionals in the UK. Once qualified you may choose to work in general dental practice (NHS and private), the community dental service, hospital practice, the armed services or in industry. Current employment levels are very high (100%) and remuneration is good.

UCAS Code: B750

Detailed Course Facts

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Fee category

Fees for students starting September 2015

Scottish students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Rest of UK students

£9,000 per year of study. See our scholarships for rest of UK applicants.

EU students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Overseas students (non-EU)

Not applicable

• English

Course Content

Level 1

At Level 1 you will study the biomedical sciences (anatomy, physiology, embryology, genetics, pathology, histology and biochemistry) and learn about the oral cavity in oral biology. Manual skills are also developed and you will start to treat patients in the second semester. The types of treatments carried out at this stage will include giving oral health advice, measuring the oral condition and carrying out periodontal (gum) treatment. Modules include:

• Foundation
• Biomedical Sciences and Oral Biology
• Restorative 1
• Plaque-related Diseases
• Clinical Practice 1

Level 2

Level 2 sees the introduction of additional clinical skills and you start treating patients for restorative procedures such as dental fillings. Modules include:

• Human Disease
• Restorative 2
• Imaging
• Behavioural Sciences
• Clinical Practice 2

Level 3

At Level 3, you continue with clinical work both within the Dental Hospital and in community outreach clinics. The outreach clinics give you exposure to different population groups. Treatment will include the provision of dental care for children and special needs groups. Modules include:

• Clinical practice 3
• The Developing Dentition
• The Therapist and the Community

Examinations are held throughout the course. A continuous grading scheme is in operation during practical and clinical teaching.

Requirements

See the Course Homepage for Full Details

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Dundee.

Accreditation

Professional Accreditation:

Approval from the governing body for dentistry in the UK, the General Dental Council (GDC)