Course Catalogue

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Year 4 of BDS Programme.

Clinics (including tutorials linked to clinics)

Runs Weeks - 6-18, 21-33, 36

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Lectures

Runs Weeks - 6-8, 13, 14, 16-18, 23, 28, 29

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Tutorials & Practical Sessions

Runs Weeks - 7-17, 21-29, 31

Clinical Dentistry Lectures

Runs Weeks - 6-11, 13-17, 21-27, 29, 30

Clinical Dentistry Tutorials & Practical Sessions

9-16, 22-30, 32

Patient Management / Health Promotion Lectures

Runs Weeks - 15, 17, 18, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32

Patient Management / Health Promotion Tutorials & Practical Sessions

Runs Weeks - 31

Elective Project

Runs Weeks - 41-44

Note1: Full details of sessions are available on MyCampus and Moodle.

Note2: Academic weeks are used here so attendance begins at Week 6

Successful completion of BDS3

DENT4003 Clinical Case Examination; DENT4004 Written Examination

Final Examination: Parts 1 & 2 (Written Examination (DENT4004) and Clinical Case Examination (DENT4003)). Part 3 of final examination is held in BDS5.

Please note that the system does not permit sections 24 and 25 below to be left blank. These show the number of hours and diet for BDS4.

The BDS4 course builds on the knowledge and experience gained in previous years and provides opportunities to develop experience in other clinical areas of dentistry such as Oral Medicine, Orthodontics and Sedation.

Learning outcomes are expressed at three levels, and are mapped to the General Dental Council's publication, Preparing for Practice - Dental Team Learning Outcomes for Registration (2015 revised edition).

Be competent at: students should have a sound theoretical knowledge and understanding of the subject together with an adequate clinical experience to be able to resolve clinical problems encountered, independently, or without assistance.

Have knowledge of: students should have a sound theoretical knowledge of the subject, but need have only a limited clinical/practical experience.

Be familiar with: students should have a basic understanding of the subject, but need not have direct clinical experience or be expected to carry out procedures independently.

Clinical Skills

1.1d be competent at gathering, in a logical fashion, the information required to reach a diagnosis (including a provisional/differential diagnosis/ diagnoses and from there a definitive diagnosis) and develop an ordered treatment plan for adult patients with a variety of treatment needs

1.2c be competent at interpreting a medical history in the context of diagnosing oral disease and delivering safe dental treatment

1.2d have knowledge of the ways in which the dental management may have to be adapted for people with Special Care requirements

1.3c be competent at identifying and interpreting clinical observations of a patient's appearance in the context of diagnosing oral disease and delivering safe dental treatment

1.4b be competent at the examination of the head and neck, including lymph nodes, TMJs, muscles of mastication and mandibular movement and be competent at recognising disease states and abnormalities; be competent at recording findings.

1.5f have knowledge of charting of pocket depth/attachment level

1.5g be competent at diagnosing the various clinical presentations of tooth wear

1.5h be competent in examining the occlusion and relating findings to the condition of the teeth and periodontal tissues

1.5i be competent at visual and physical examination of intra-oral disease relating to surgical problems

I.5j have knowledge of the clinical appearance of inflammatory diseases of dental and salivary gland origin

(see: 1.1d; and 1.15 be competent at recognising and managing (at a primary care level) disorders of the oral mucosa, including malignant and potentially malignant lesions)

1.6j be competent at developing an ordered and integrated treatment plan for patients with a range of restorative needs, the complexity of which it would be reasonable to expect a general dental practitioner manage

1.6k have knowledge of the principles relating to treatment planning for patients with moderately advanced and advanced periodontitis

1.6l be able to discuss, competently, treatment options for the child patient and explain a treatment plan, demonstrating the necessary communication skills

1.7a be competent at assessing the most appropriate means of restoring a tooth and deciding when teeth are beyond restoration

1.7b be competent at determining the necessity for the replacement of missing teeth and choosing between fixed and removable alternatives for doing so

1.7c have knowledge of the principles underlying the use of dental implants and the indications for their use

1.8 be competent at designing effective indirect restorations and complete and partial dentures

1.9b be competent at making appropriate referrals based on assessment

1.9c be able competently to explain and discuss treatment with patients and their parents, and obtain consent and the patient's/parents' signature

1.11d have knowledge of the effects and management of disordered occlusion in relation to fixed and removable prosthodontics

1.12a be competent to provide dental care for children with due regard to the child's social, psychological and physical development

1.12b be able to discuss treatment options and explain a treatment plan demonstrating the necessary communication skills

1.13b have knowledge of the clinical aspects of pain - acute, chronic and neurological

1.13c be competent at the diagnosis and management of patients with acute or chronic facial pain, including that deriving from inflammatory conditions of the dental pulp, periapical or periodontal tissues and also temporomandibular disorders, recognising when it is appropriate to refer for specialist advice

1.14c have knowledge of the diagnosis and management of infections in the head and neck region, with particular reference to pyogenic oral infections and including the principles of surgical drainage, anti-microbial therapy and indications for referral

1.15c have knowledge of the clinical presentations of oral mucosal diseases and the investigations required to confirm the diagnosis

1.15d have knowledge of the management of oral mucosal lesions, including when to refer

1.16b have knowledge of the oro-facial manifestations of systemic disease and have an understanding of the principles of management and the role of the dental professional

1.17a have knowledge of the clinical features of fractures of the mandible and the zygomatico-maxillary complex

1.17b be familiar with the radiographic features of facial fractures

1.17c have knowledge of the principles of treatment and sequelae of treatment of facial bone fractures

1.18d be competent at recognising clinical features of physical abuse in the clothed dental patient

1.18e be familiar with aspects of substance misuse which contribute to diseases of the oral hard and soft tissues

1.18f be familiar with the professional and ethical implications of managing persons suspected of substance misuse

1.19b be competent at obtaining and recording a comprehensive history relating to a child who has suffered dento-alveolar/ oral mucosal trauma

1.19c be competent at completing an extra and intra-oral examination, including the use of sensibility tests and radiographs, for a child who has suffered dento-alveolar trauma

1.19d be competent at deciding what appropriate emergency care and follow-up treatment are required

Practical Procedures

2.1g be competent at the prescription of appropriate fluoride supplements for children based upon dental status, age and other fluoride sources

2.1h have knowledge of the evidence base and its application in relation to preventive care

2.1i have knowledge of the importance of follow-up and review of treatment in order to provide appropriate aftercare and ongoing preventive advice

2.2b be competent at the mechanical non-surgical procedures necessary for the management of gingivitis and early-moderate periodontitis including scaling, subgingival root debridement and re-contouring of restorations

2.2c be competent at evaluating the outcome of such treatment

2.3b be competent at caries removal, cavity preparation, pulpal protection, as well as placement, finishing and maintenance of direct plastic restorations

2.3c have knowledge of crowns, porcelain laminate veneers and inlays/onlays for adult patients

2.3d have knowledge of the restoration of primary teeth

2.4b (see: 2.8 have knowledge of preformed stainless steel crown and pulp therapy in primary molar teeth)

2.4c (see: 2.9 have knowledge of the management of trauma in both dentitions)

2.5a be competent at the clinical stages involved in removable partial denture construction

2.5b be competent at the clinical stages involved in complete denture prosthetics

2.5c have knowledge of the procedures required for the provision of fixed bridgework

2.6c have knowledge of the design and choice of materials used in the production of complete and partial dentures

2.6d have knowledge of how to make chairside adjustments to complete and partial dentures

2.7 be competent at managing appropriately all forms of orthodontic emergency including referral when necessary

2.8 have knowledge of preformed stainless steel crown and pulp therapy in primary molar teeth

2.9c have knowledge of the management of trauma to the developed permanent dentition. (see: 1.19 be competent at obtaining and recording a comprehensive
history, completing an extra and intra-oral examination including the use of sensibility tests and radiographs where appropriate, and deciding what emergency care and follow-up treatment is required in a child who has suffered dento-alveolar or mucosal trauma)

2.11d be competent at delivering post-surgical advice and prescription of post-surgical medication

2.11 e be competent at extracting erupted teeth

2.12b have knowledge of the range of operative procedures in the orthodontic/prosthodontic/endodontic/oral surgery interface

2.12c have knowledge of the management of common intra- and post- operative problems of dento-alveolar surgery

2.12d have knowledge of appropriate dento-alveolar conditions requiring referral for specialist management, including an awareness of the urgency of such referrals

2.13b be able to demonstrate competence at taking and processing the standard intra-oral and panoramic radiographs taken in dental practice

2.13c be able to demonstrate competent handling of the image receptor at each stage from image acquisition, through processing to storage, utilising appropriate cross-infection control procedures at every stage

2.13d be able to discuss competently appropriate quality assurance procedures for image processing

2.15g be competent in the clinical aspects of infection control within a dental surgery

2.15h have knowledge of the importance of policies and procedures and the design of the healthcare environment

2.16a have knowledge of the theory and practice of conscious sedation in dental surgery

2.16b have knowledge of applications and complications of sedation techniques in Special Care Dentistry

2.16c have knowledge of the practice of conscious sedation

2.17a be competent at basic life-support

2.17d be competent in the immediate management of medical emergencies that may arise in the dental surgery

2.18d be competent in writing accurate prescriptions

2.18e have knowledge of the indications for antibiotics and analgesics (local and systemic) in the management of patients

2.18f have knowledge of possible side-effects and drug interactions of prescribed antibiotics and analgesics

2.18g have knowledge of the possible adverse effects of medicines, and how to initiate action to manage and report such events

Patient Investigation

3.1d have knowledge of the role of special investigations in histopathology, microbiology, haematology and chemical pathology in the diagnosis of diseases of relevance to dentistry

3.1e be competent to select, request, interpret and explain the results of special investigations as an aid to the diagnosis of dental diseases and disorders, including the use of sensibility testing and mounted study casts (see: 1.1b be familiar with compiling information from a patient history and examination, including special investigations, in order to formulate a diagnosis of common oral disease and be able to distinguish information which does not fit into the normal pattern of common oral disease) 


3.3c be competent at the accurate description of variations from normal anatomy in standard dental radiographs and discussion of the differential diagnosis of detected abnormalities, including the clear and concise presentation of findings in a written report

Patient Management

4.1b be competent at developing an ordered treatment plan for adult patients with a variety of restorative needs. Be able to discuss the diagnosis, treatment options and possible costs with patients and colleagues

4.1c be competent to demonstrate the provision of integrated care for children and adolescents including simple orthodontic treatment planning

4.2g be competent at obtaining valid consent for general anaesthesia and sedation

4.4b be familiar with the oral complications of cancer treatment, including head and neck cancer

4.4c have knowledge of the organisation and delivery of care for Special Care patients, including appropriate referral

4.4d (see: 4.2 be competent at obtaining valid consent, where necessary through the intermediate consent of a parent, guardian or carer; and 9.1 have knowledge of the legal and ethical responsibilities involved in the provision of care to individual patients, including those with Special Care needs, and to members of diverse and vulnerable populations)

4.4e be familiar with the main categories of mental illness and the implications for provision of oral health care

4.4f be familiar with the main categories of physical and learning disabilities and the implications for provision of oral health care

4.5a have knowledge of medical problems that impact on fitness for routine dentistry

4.5b be competent at the recognition of medical problems that impact on fitness for routine dentistry

4.5c have knowledge of appropriate treatment planning for medically compromised patients, including the need for referral

4.6a be familiar with the procedures in making a specialist referral and of the duty of care to ensure that patients are seen in a timeous fashion by the appropriate specialist service

4.6b be familiar with the structure and composition of a referral letter

4.6c be competent at writing a referral letter

4.7c be competent to prescribe treatment to be carried out by clinical members of the dental team and to evaluate the outcome of that treatment

4.7d be competent at prescription of laboratory work to dental technicians and be competent at discussing technical input to alterations of any laboratory work

4.7e have knowledge of the impact of direct access on each registrant group's scope of practice and its effect on dental team working

4.10d have knowledge of behavioural aspects of dementia patients

4.11d have knowledge of the management of the dental and oral conditions of the elderly person

4.11e be able to formulate management strategies for the dental care of the elderly

4.12d have knowledge of therapeutics and the relationships between medications and oral disease

Health Promotion or Disease Prevention

5.2 have knowledge of the organisation and provision of healthcare in the community and in hospitals, in the UK especially

5.4b have knowledge of the effect of nutrition on growth, patient management and oral disease. (see: 1.2 be competent at obtaining and recording a relevant medical history, including details of current medications, which identifies both the possible effects of oral disease on medical well-being, and the medical conditions and medications that affect oral health and/or dental treatment; 1.16 be competent at recognising the oro-facial manifestations of systemic disease and be familiar with the management of patients who present in this way; 4.5 be competent at the evaluation of patients for fitness to undergo routine dental care, modification of treatment plans to take account of general medical status, and recognition of those
patients who are beyond the scope of their management; 4.11 have knowledge of dental problems that may manifest themselves in elderly patients and of the principles involving the
management of such problems; 4.12 be familiar with the main medical disorders and aspects of general medicine and surgery that may impinge on dental treatment; 5.5 have knowledge of the assessment of patient risk for dental caries, tooth wear, periodontal disease and oral cancer and the provision of appropriate counselling and health education for the patient, in order to prevent disease)

5.11 be familiar with the principles of healthcare need and demand; and the principles of planning healthcare at a community level

5.12 be familiar with the implications of the wider health economy and external influences on managing the clinical and working environment

Data and Information Handling Skills

7.2c be competent at recording full and accurate clinical records in accordance with current legislation

Understanding of Basic and Clinical Sciences and Underlying Principles

8.4c have knowledge of other common diseases and disorders affecting the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity

8.6 have knowledge of the science that underpins the use of dental biomaterials, sufficient to allow the selection and use of appropriate materials in clinical practice, including an understanding of their limitations and familiarity with those aspects of biomaterial safety that relate to dentistry

8.9b have knowledge of the changes that occur with normal development, growth and ageing and apply their knowledge in the management of the oral environment

8.10c achieve competency at LDU user level

8.10d have knowledge of decontamination equipment and testing requirements

8.10e have knowledge of roles and responsibilities of key personnel

8.10f have knowledge of policies and procedures for record keeping and adverse incident management

Appropriate Attitudes, Ethical Understanding and Legal Responsibilities

9.1d have knowledge of the law on capacity in the UK (Scotland/ England/ Wales/ NI)

9.2a have knowledge of health and safety legislation and the maintenance of a safe working environment

9.2b have knowledge of the legal basis of radiographic practice

9.4d have knowledge of the regulatory framework governing the permitted activities of PCDs and other health care workers

9.4e (see: 4.7e have knowledge of the impact of direct access on each registrant group's scope of practice and its effect on dental team working)

9.5 be familiar with audit, peer review and clinical governance, including the need to evaluate treatment outcomes and undertake remedial action where appropriate.

9.8d See 5.2: have knowledge of the organisation and provision of healthcare in the community and in hospitals, in the UK especially

9.8e (see: 9.5: be familiar with audit, peer review and clinical governance, including the need to evaluate treatment outcomes and undertake remedial action where appropriate)

9.9d have knowledge of the processes in place for reporting clinical incidents and patient safety issues which arise; and of how to use these processes

9.10b have knowledge of the need to have a clear and effective complaints procedure in place for patients to use

9.10c have knowledge of the standards and procedures for handling patient complaints as set out by the General Dental Council

Appropriate Decision Making, Clinical Reasoning and Judgement

10.1e be competent at applying the critical appraisal skills necessary in taking an evidence-based approach to learning, clinical and professional practice in decision making (using secondary research sources)

10.2 have knowledge of the importance of a comprehensive approach to oral care

10.3a be competent at discussing the advantages and disadvantages of relevant treatment plans with patients

10.3b be familiar with the impact of medical and social problems on the prognosis for dental interventions

10.3c have knowledge of the professional responsibilities for providing clinically appropriate treatment

10.5 have knowledge of the concept of barriers and facilitators to implementing clinical guidelines in practice

Professional Development

11.1d have knowledge of aspects of equality and diversity legislation as it relates to dental care and practice

11.1e have knowledge of the need for continuing professional development allied to the process of continuing education, in order to ensure that high levels of clinical competence and knowledge are maintained

Personal Development

12.4 be familiar with the causes of occupational stress and its management

12.5 be able to effectively manage own time and resources

Successful completion of both the Written Examination (DENT4004) at D3 or above and Clinical Case Examination (DENT4003) at D or above plus successful completion of other course requirements. 

DENT4002 is the overarching course for BDS4 and includes other course requirements. This includes assessment of competence: attainment of 'competence' in relation to the specified Competence Assessments, together with demonstration of satisfactory progress when measured by both volume and quality of clinical experience as determined by the Clinical Development Panel in accordance with guidance in the Course Information Document.