MScD Orthodontics

The programme is designed to provide clinical and academic training for future specialists in Clinical Orthodontics in a highly professional and rewarding environment.

Established for over 40 years and one of the longest-running clinical training programmes in the UK. The course equips you with the skills needed to perform as a competent specialist in orthodontics, with a focus on the clinical, theoretical and research areas required for the provision of appropriate patient care. All students will be encouraged to take the Membership in Orthodontics.

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

• A taught courses covering evidence-based topics that are consistent with the recommendations of the World Federation of Orthodontists, European and national guidelines
• A clinical practical element of supervised management of selected problems of dentofacial abnormality
• A research project and preparation of a dissertation

Throughout the programme, each student will spend five 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 three 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 per year for research.

Clinical teaching and instruction will be delivered through structured sessions including seminars, case reviews 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 philosophy. There are summative and formative assessments throughout the three-year programme with research being assessed through a final dissertation in year three.

Our teaching is at the forefront of dental education, clinical training and research, and you will have the opportunity to work with and learn from leaders in their respective fields. You’ll have access to some of the finest clinical, educational and research facilities of the top UK Dental School in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

On successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics.

All of this takes place within a friendly, supportive and professional environment within the University Dental Hospital and School in Cardiff, where we do everything we can to ensure you have the very best experience and achieve your academic and clinical goals.

Why Study this Course

You will gain the skills needed to perform as a competent specialist in Orthodontics, with a focus on the clinical, theoretical and research areas required for the provision of appropriate patient care.

Recognised Course

This course is recognised for training purposes by the Royal Colleges for the Membership in Orthodontics of both Edinburgh and the Bicollegiate examination.

Diverse Training

There will be opportunities to receive clinical training from a range of orthodontists, and to join multidisciplinary joint clinics (e.g. orthognathic) in the latter stages of your training.

Join a top 10 Dental School

We are ranked in the Top 10 for Dentistry by the Complete University Guide 2024 based on student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects.

University Dental Hospital

Our School is located in a working hospital, where there are approximately 100,000 patient contacts per year. Next door you'll find 100 acres of parkland and playing fields, and the vibrant city centre is a walkable two-mile distance away.

Strong Links with NHS

Our close links with the National Health Service allow us access to a diverse range of patients, whose clinical care needs are suitable for specialist and advanced clinical teaching.

Close-knit Community

Our close-knit student community study a range of specialities, and our dedicated postgraduate team will ensure you have all the support you need.