University College London (UCL)
Special Care Dentistry PG Cert
London, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Certificate
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Special Care Dentistry PG Cert provides a focused program designed for dental professionals who want to develop specialized skills in caring for patients with complex needs. The course covers essential topics such as managing patients with medical, psychological, or physical challenges and understanding the ethical and legal considerations involved. Students gain a solid foundation in assessing and planning treatment for individuals who may require additional support or accommodations, giving them the confidence to deliver more inclusive dental care.
The program balances theoretical knowledge with practical skills, often including case discussions, evidence-based practices, and opportunities to observe and apply care techniques. It is structured to suit busy professionals, offering flexibility through part-time study options. By completing this certificate, students enhance their ability to work effectively in diverse care environments, ensuring they can meet the unique needs of vulnerable patient groups with professionalism and compassion. The course aims to build a strong foundation for those considering further specialization or working within multidisciplinary teams.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and seminars. Teaching is provided by academic staff and honorary academic staff of UCL Eastman Dental Institute and the allied UCLHT Eastman Dental Hospital. We also invite external speakers from institutions such as the British Dental Association, General Dental Council and groups who champion unconscious bias. We encourage students to ask questions and to read independently around their subject areas of interest.
Your examinations take place around two weeks after the module teaching is complete, allowing a revision period before the assessment takes place. The assessments comprise two departmental tests (MCQ and MSA), which make up 66% of the weighting, and an oral examination, which makes up 34% of the weighting.
All students must prepare a logbook of 75 patients with special needs whom they have managed in their clinical practice(s) during the programme. You must also complete case study reports of four of these patients. We do not provide access to patients, so students must have a reliable source of patients.
Your logbook is examined within the oral examination of each module, while the four case studies are covered within the oral examination of the second module. You must pass both modules to achieve the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Special Care Dentistry.
The programme is spread across 27 days between October and July. Teaching is delivered on Mondays during term time. Most teaching takes place online between 9am and 5pm. You will need to allow 6-7 hours during these days for teaching.
Aside from this, you will need to make time for your logbook and case study reports, as well as revision time for assessments.
This is a modular programme that is principally delivered online. There may be occasions when some teaching sessions may take place at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute. In such instances, you will be informed well in advance of any suggested dates.
Modules
Part-time
This programme comprises two 30-credit modules.
Applied Biology, Systemic Disease and Behavioural Sciences
This module enhances your knowledge of the interplay of common systemic disease upon oral health and oral health care.
Ethics, Governance and Public Health Policy in Special Needs Dentistry
This module enhances your knowledge of common, essential aspects of the delivery of ethical and clinically safe oral health care to individuals with special needs in the UK.
Compulsory modules
- Applied Biology, Systemic Disease and Behavioural Sciences
- Ethics, Governance and Public Health Policy in Special Needs Dentistry
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.
Certificate students undertake modules to the value of 60 credits. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Special Care Dentistry.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.
- Friendly, welcoming staff, and a highly experienced Professional Services team.
- A comprehensive education portfolio.
- Teaching by national and international leaders of special care dentistry and allied subjects who bring a wealth of experience in teaching at the postgraduate level and the clinical care of patients with complex needs.
- Access to a wealth of online material allied to the course and UCL Library services.
The foundation of your career
As well as enhancing their clinical skill and knowledge and increasing their opportunities for promotion, students can also network with the senior UK specialists who teach on the programme. This interaction between graduates and teaching staff has also led to our staff being invited to lecture to the colleagues of graduates.
Employability
Successful graduates of this programme have progressed to:
- Entry to the GDC specialist list for Special Care Dentistry
- Senior posts within the special care dentistry services.
According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), 80% of Special Care Dentistry graduates have remained in, or progressed onto, highly skilled work in dental practice. This includes roles in UK NHS Trusts and overseas in dental services and governments in Australia and Hong Kong. The remainder have gone onto further study.
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 at conferences.