Dental Surgery (Graduates Only)

Dentistry in Aberdeen is designed specifically for graduates, capitalising on the knowledge and skills you already have to ensure you become a first-class dental professional. Our programme has been designed with graduates in mind, enabling you to capitalise on the existing knowledge and transferable skills from your previous degree. From day one, you will be preparing to be a dental professional, benefiting from early clinical problem solving and patient contact, and an integrated approach to learning.

The dental curriculum uses a variety of teaching methods including case based learning. The curriculum aims to:

• build on the transferrable skills that you bring

• encourage independence of learning and thinking using enquiry based learning methods

• centre on the clinical, social and emotional needs of the patient

• have patient contact early in Year 1 of the programme

• fully integrate the non-clinical sciences within the clinical curriculum

You will be engaged in reflective practice from an early stage in your clinical experience.

During the course, you will be taught by and observe a wide range of dental professionals from both primary and secondary care services. NHS Education for Scotland (NES), the dental protection organisations and the GDC are also engaged in many of the learning opportunities.

In year 1 you will develop a sound understanding of the oral environment, basic aspects of dental health and disease, together with an appreciation of the principles of patient management, communication and ethical practice. You will begin practical training in the clinical skills lab and have direct patient contact in your second term.

The course has been designed specifically for graduates and encompasses a variety of modern educational methods for teaching and learning. There is a focus on independent and reflective learning whilst clinical work is introduced from year 1 to maximise clinical experience.

Teaching and learning strategies have been designed to meet the needs of a more mature student group with previous experience of university education and appropriate transferable skills.

A range of assessment methods are used including written examinations, such as single best answer questions and clinical scenario papers, and other practical exams. Objective clinical assessment of your clinical skills will be carried out by means of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) and Structured Clinical Objective Testing (SCOT) at appropriate stages. In your final year more amalgamated assessments will be used to assess your clinical skills by means of an Integrated Structured Clinical Examination (ISCE) and an assessment of some cases that you would have treated during your four years at the Institute of Dentistry.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• General Dental Council