University College London (UCL)

Periodontology (Distance Learning) MSc

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a mix of:

• Online lectures and clinical demonstrations
• Live synchronous online lectures and group discussions, and feedback on formative assessments
• Clinical case presentations, problem-based learning, and unseen clinical cases
• formative assessments
• Discussion forums (general and clinical)
• Research appraisal and literature seminars
• Practical sessions, work-based learning, and group discussions.

New teaching content is made available at the beginning of each programme week to allow a coordinated learning experience. The content includes a variety of exercises and formative tasks to ensure that the content is correctly and progressively assimilated.

During the residential weeks, hands-on clinical skills are taught on campus.

To aid independent study, students have access to online reading lists and library resources. The online sessions are set to UK time, but always recorded and accessible, and you will have access to other pre-recorded sessions.

Students will be assessed by:

• Coursework
• Essays
• Clinical case submissions
• Unseen written and oral clinical cases
• Online oral and video presentations
• Case studies
• Role-play
• Formative direct observation
• A research project dissertation (written thesis).

Based on full-time hours, you are expected to spend around 50% of your working week in your own clinical environment (with no direct clinical supervision) managing independently patients with periodontal needs.

The contact hours / taught components for the programme take up 20-25% of your time. These include online synchronous lectures, seminars, clinical case-based discussions and drop-in sessions for the distance learning content, and residential weeks/days for the lab-based hands-on practical training. The rest of your working week will be dedicated to independent study.

You should expect to spend about 15 hours per week learning from the online synchronous or pre-recorded teaching episodes, making use of library resources, and working on your formative assessments.

Modules

Part-time

On this part-time programme, the seven compulsory modules and dissertation are completed over three years. The programme is delivered through a mix of online learning and hands-on sessions in our skills laboratory and clinical suites.

Contact days

• Year one: one week in October, one week in February
• Year two: one week in March
• Year three: three days in September, three days in February

Certificate (Year one)

• Scientific Basis of Periodontology

This module provides knowledge and a fundamental understanding of the scientific basis of periodontology.

Topics include: development and anatomy of the periodontium, aetiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, the role of host response and risk factors, classification of periodontal diseases, periodontal prognosis, periodontal wound healing, epidemiology of periodontal diseases, teeth with furcation involvement, the perio-endo lesion, trauma from occlusion and the periodontium, supportive periodontal therapy, introduction to periodontal surgery and periodontal medicine.

• Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

This module provides the tools and clinical and presentation skills for diagnosis and formulation of treatment planning in periodontology and in relation to interdisciplinary aspects across dentistry.

Topics include: clinical assessment and treatment planning I and II, interdisciplinary therapy I and II and case discussion

• Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy

This module provides knowledge and skills for the initial phase of non-surgical periodontal therapy, enabling theoretical and practical understanding of principles, outcomes, instruments and techniques necessary to manage a periodontal patient.

Topics include: supragingival plaque control, aims and expected outcomes of NSPT, treatment modalities for NSPT, health behaviour management I and II, limitations of NSPT and factors affecting outcomes, adjunctive therapy I and II and clinical exam cases preparation.

Diploma (Year two)

• Complicating Factors and Other Oral Conditions

This module focuses on the identification of, and the correct approach to, complicating factors and oral conditions that have an impact on periodontal diseases. It also includes access to a CPD course and the development of an audit project (clinical governance).

Topics include: clinical governance, management of patients with complex medical history, other periodontal conditions, gingival diseases: non-biofilm induced - Part 1 and 2, periodontitis as manifestation of systemic diseases, management of complex cases I and II.

• Evidence-Based Healthcare

This module focuses on understanding research methods and developing academic writing skills and literature search tools through the application of evidence to case examples and coursework.

Topics include: How do I find the evidence?, levels of research, systematic reviews and critical appraisal.

• Surgical Periodontal Therapy

This module focuses on the surgical phase of periodontal treatment, including conservative, resective and regenerative strategies (including minimally invasive techniques) as well as mucogingival therapy applied to root coverage procedures (for single and multiple recessions).

Topics include: conservative surgery: open flap debridement (OFD), resective periodontal surgery, crown lengthening procedure, periodontal regenerative surgery I – IBD, periodontal regenerative surgery II - furcation defects, periodontal plastic surgery I - management of single gingival recession defects, periodontal plastic surgery II - management of multiple gingival recession defects, sinus floor elevation procedures.

• Implant Therapy and Peri-implant Diseases

This module is dedicated to implant therapy, the diagnosis and management of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.

Topics include: implant hard and soft tissues, tooth vs implant, implant treatment planning, peri-implant pathology, implant diagnosis, implant risk factors, implant non-surgical treatment and maintenance care and implant surgical treatment.

MSc (Year three)

• MSc dissertation

The MSc helps you develop your research skills in the delivery of high-quality patient care by developing a practice-based project and/or by evaluating published studies and guidelines. Learn the principles behind clinical research methods with an emphasis on statistics.

Compulsory modules

• Scientific Basis of Periodontology
• MSc in Periodontology Dissertation
• Complicating Factors and Other Oral Conditions
• Evidence-Based Healthcare
• Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy
• Surgical Periodontal Therapy
• Implant Therapy and Peri-implant Diseases

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Periodontology (Distance Learning).

Fieldwork

You will treat patients in your own clinic and synthesise your knowledge and practice skills through discussion with peers, staff and others, to improve your clinical practice and effectiveness.

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.

• The chance to advance your knowledge in periodontology and implant dentistry, with the flexibility of a part-time, blended-learning educational route and multiple exit points (Certificate/ Diploma).
• Advanced practical skills in non-surgical periodontal therapy, including hand and mechanical instrumentation.
• Advanced practical skills in surgical periodontal therapy, including the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques for periodontal regenerative surgery, and hard and soft tissue management around teeth and dental implants.
• Access to UCL's highly advanced simulation facilities for non-surgical and surgical periodontal training.
• Excellent collaborative links with similarly progressive units throughout the worldwide periodontal community.
• Opportunities to learn directly from experienced academics and develop projects that will be clinically applicable to your future career.
• Engagement with some of the key opinion leaders in periodontology and implant dentistry.
• The confidence to manage patients with periodontal needs and the ability to tailor your practice to learn operative skills and be at the forefront of modern periodontology.

The foundation of your career

MSc Periodontology graduates can undertake a wide variety of high-standard clinical skills. Most develop their clinical dental practice with the enhanced skills and knowledge to treat, advise and monitor the periodontal needs of patients. Our graduates are well-equipped to accept periodontal referrals for non-surgical management of periodontal patients.

Employability

Whatever your career pathway, this MSc will help you to advance your career to a more specialised level or to become more established within the periodontal field.

Our programme supports the unique combination of theory, practice and innovation you will need for a fast-moving, competitive and evolving discipline.

You will gain cutting-edge knowledge in periodontology as well as transferable skills in conducting research in clinical and medical science. It will give you up-to-date perspectives on trends in the causality, diagnosis, management and innovative approaches in periodontology and implant dentistry.

If you wish to go on to further academic study and research activity, such as a PhD, we will give you guidance and support to help you realise your ambitions.

Networking

There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating in conferences.