Special Care Dentistry provides a theoretical foundation and develops appropriate clinical skills for the care of patients needing special care with particular emphasis on the use of behaviour management techniques, analgesia, sedation and general anaesthesia. Also covers training in research methods and their practical application.
KEY BENEFITS
- Internationally renowned academics.
- Excellent reputation for treating adults who are dentally anxious with both pharmacological methods and using psychological treatments.
- Students will receive training and teaching in a range of settings including hospital and community clinics.
- Opportunity to become a specialist in special care (subject to status).
- Hands on experience in providing dental care for special care patients.
- The course encompasses all dental disciplines providing a holistic approach to patient care.
- Close academic contact throughout the programme due to small teaching numbers (intake capped at 6 students).
- There are opportunities to visit external specialist clinics offering experience in other clinical areas Located in the heart of London.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Graduates have continued their chosen career pathway at senior level posts. Some have combined this with part-time work in the hospital service, academic and teaching posts.
Programme leader/s
Dr Samalie Koburunga
Accreditation
For selected candidates the two year MSc programme is recognised by the Specialist Advisory Committee for Special Care Dentistry as partially contributing towards the three year specialist training programme in Special Care Dentistry.
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
Two years, three days per week, October to September.
Location
Guy's Campus.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
Dental Institute
Closing date
30th April 2013.
Intake
Please contact for details.
Fees
FT Home: £11000 (2013)
FT Overseas: £19000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Dr Samalie Koburunga,
tel +44 0207 188 6076/ 6077,
email
sam.koburunga@kcl.ac.uk,
Specialist Clinical Teacher
Sedation & Special Care Dentistry
King's College London Dental Institute
Floor 26
Guy's Tower
Guy's Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT, UK
PURPOSE
For clinicians working in general practice, community, hospital and/or university departments who wish to become specialists and leaders in this area of dental care. To increase knowledge about dental care for individuals with special needs and the impact of providing this service for the community.
DESCRIPTION
Provides a theoretical foundation and develops appropriate clinical skills for the care of patients needing special care with particular emphasis on the use of behaviour management techniques, analgesia, sedation and general anaesthesia. It also covers training in research methods and their practical application. You will also undertake a research project. Research focus is on the management of individuals requiring special care and the impact of providing this service for the community.
EXTRA PROGRAMME INFORMATION
As we are seeking to identify your suitability for this clinical environment, we expect our interviewees to adopt the dress code required of clinical dental students at King's. Further information will be given should you choose to apply. Entry to the programme is strictly dependent upon occupational health clearance that you are able to conduct exposure prone procedures (EPPs) before you start clinical work. This will assess your hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody status, HIV and TB status following the completion of a health questionnaire and a further health check before or at enrolment. If offered a place on the course, overseas students are advised to be tested locally and send the results of these checks with the questionnaire, prior to a separate full test in the UK at the College's Occupational Health Department before term begins. All offers of a place on a programme are made subject to a satisfactory criminal conviction disclosure. If you are from overseas or have never lived in the UK before, you should contact the relevant authorities in your home country to arrange for the equivalent check to be conducted and/or a certificate of good conduct to be issued.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Science of Sedation & Special Care Dentistry;
- Clinical Sedation & Special Care Dentistry;
- Sedation & Special Care Dentistry Clinical;
- Sedation & Special Care Dentistry Research.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Modular programme consisting of 180 credits, as follows:
- Two taught modules, covering the scientific and clinical basis of sedation and special care dentistry, assessed by written examination;
- A clinical module, involving supervised clinical practice and examined by a mixture of case studies on treated and unseen patients;
- A research module, involving the submission of a research project including a literature review, with an oral defence of the research.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7NSSSD02
Credit level: 7
This 30 credit module aims to produce a highly knowledgeable professional in Sedation & Special Care Dentistry at masters level. At the end of the module you will be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of the following areas which are relevant to the study of Sedation & Special Care Dentistry: Biomedical sciences; Applied Radiological science; Applied Materials science; Neuroscience; Pathology; Statistics; Scientific basis of dental sedation; Patient management; Applied Human disease; Restorative treatment planning; Research methodology; Professional responsibility. You will also be able to form concepts of oral health, devise and support arguments for oral health, reflect critically on your own academic work and reflect critically on your own approach to clinical work. Assessment is by written examination.
Module code: 7NSSSD01
Credit level: 7
This 30 credit module aims To produce a highly knowledgeable professional in Sedation & Special Care Dentistry at masters level. At the end of the module you will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and deep understanding of the following areas which are relevant to the study of Sedation & Special Care Dentistry: Biomedical sciences; Radiological science; Neuroscience; Pathology; Statistics; Scientific basis of dental sedation; Human disease; Research methodology. You will also be able to form concepts of oral health, devise and support arguments for oral health, reflect critically on your own academic work. Assessment is by written examination.
Module code: 7NSSSD03
Credit level: 7
This 60 credit module aims to produce a dentist proficient and skilful in Sedation & Special Care Dentistry. At the end of the module you will be able to undertake the following tasks relevant to the practice of Sedation & Special Care Dentistry: Undertake diagnosis and treatment planning; Take appropriate responsibility; Solve complex clinical problems; Perform clinical procedures; Manage effectively patients, resources and time; Communicate effectively with patients, colleagues and dental technicians; Develop appropriate computer skills; Perform good clinical governance; Ability to reflect critically on your own clinical work. Assessment is by case presentations and clinical examination.
Module code: 7NSSSD04
Credit level: 7
This 60 credit module provides students with a scientifically rigorous research experience through undertaking a piece of research work and writing a report of the findings including a relevant literature review and appropriate statistical analysis.At the end of the module you will be able to: Analyse both scientific and clinical data; Critically review the relevant scientific literature; Plan a research project; Understand how to apply statistical analyses; Carry out a research project; Understand the effect of experimental variables; Use information and communications technology; Devise and support arguments for oral health; Present your work both orally and in writing. Assessment is by dissertation and oral examination.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
All applicants: a dental qualification plus at least two years post-qualification experience. EU applicants will normally need to satisfy any additional specialist training requirements and acquire an NTN before programme commences. For UK applicants FDS, MFDS or MJDF is desirable.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Completed applications (which will normally consist of an online application form, both references, a transcript of previous degrees and a CV) will be considered after the closing date.
Applications will be initially considered by two academic members of staff. It is expected that applicants will be required to attend an interview.
Applications received after the closing date will be held as reserve applications, in case there are vacancies or places become available.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Applicants should demonstrate a focused interest in special care dentistry and/or conscious sedation. Please submit a separate CV in addition to the application form.
FUNDING
Those working in the community dental service may be funded by their Trust. Those in general practice are usually self-funded.
Staff profiles
Special Care Dentistry MSc
The Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry provides a stimulating environment for postgraduate students to gain experience and to enhance their confidence in treating a challenging group of patients. These patients find it difficult to access dental treatment for various reasons, usually related to their dental anxiety or their medical/psychosocial history.
The MSc in Sedation and Special Care Dentistry is a well established programme. Having completed the programme myself, and benefited from it career wise, I am in a position to help promote it. I obtained a Senior Dental Officer post in the community dental service on completion of this MSc and am now a Senior Clinical Teacher within the department.
For me, the most rewarding aspect of the programme is its unique holistic approach to patient care with regards to its sedation and clinical components. It encompasses all dental disciplines in managing patients with complex requirements. In particular, the programme is designed to enhance a practitioner's confidence in a subject where there is an increasing demand for training.
The existing programme includes elements of the recommended training programme 'Training in Special Care Dentistry' by the Joint Advisory Committee for Special Care Dentistry (JACSD). MSc students have access to specialist clinics such as haemophilia, oncology, epidermolysis bullosa as Guys and St Thomas' Foundation Trust is the regional centre for these disciplines. There are also opportunities to visit external clinics including the Royal Hospital of Neurodisability and community clinics.