King's College London

The aim is to prepare registrable and adaptable dental professionals, through a university education that integrates the knowledge, skills, attitudes, ethics and behaviour relating to clinical, professionalism, communication and management and leadership domains.The intention is to produce dental professionals who are fit to practise as a safe beginner at the end of the programme.

They will be able to recognise and accept professional responsibilities for the provision of high quality, effective and safe contemporary person-centred care, reflecting on their practice and appreciate the need for continuing professional development. 

The programme also aims to develop and equip students with a range of professional leadership, teamworking and management skills so they can work as part of an oral healthcare team in primary and secondary care.

The programmes aspire to be world-class and recognised internationally by meeting and exceeding the necessary educational standards and quality benchmarks.

 As a research-enhanced institute, the programme benefits from the institutional research and offers the opportunity for students to be involved in, and appreciate, the breadth of research in the faculty and the wider university.

The  General Dental Council (GDC) overarching outcomes form the basis of the programme:

• Practise safely and effectively, making the high-quality long-term care of patients the first concern

• Recognise the role and responsibility of being a registrant and demonstrate professionalism through their education, training and practice in accordance with GDC guidance

• Demonstrate effective clinical decision making

• Describe the principles of good research, how to access research and interpret it for use as part of an evidence-based approach to practice

• Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice, clinical judgment and decision making and utilise critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Accurately assess their own capabilities and limitations, demonstrating reflective practice, in the interest of high-quality patient care and act within these boundaries
  
  
• Recognise the importance of lifelong learning and apply it to practice.

 The programme employs the following teaching/learning methods and strategies:

• Lectures:

- BDS 1: All Face-to-Face Teaching and digital technology (e.g. digital and online resources)

- BDS 2-5 Mixed-mode or blended learning combining face-to-face and digital technology (e.g. digital and online resources).

• Participation in seminars, practical laboratory classes, workshops, which require prior preparation, High and Low fidelity simulation.

• Clinical observation to supplement, consolidate and broaden what has been taught

• Participation in clinics to develop principles of thinking and reasoning inpatient management; identification of health at the level of the patient, as well as comparison of normal with diseased and/or treated tissues.

• Self-directed learning: Narrated presentations, recorded online tutorials, online formative assessment
  
  
• Student-led peer teaching
  
  

All clinical activity takes place in conjunction with our partner NHS Trusts (GSTT and KCH) and the University of Portsmouth. Up to and including year 4, activity takes place within the domains of GSTT and KCH. This activity is compulsory and allows the students to develop skills within the clinical specialties necessary for an appropriate clinical education. In year 5, students are split between either KCH Denmark Hill and West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre, or the Portsmouth Dental Academy. Similarly compulsory, this experience is designed to prepare the students for life beyond qualification, specifically that in foundation training.

Indicative Hours

Course Stage	% time in scheduled learning & teaching activities	% time in guided independent study	% time on placements	Credit Value
Year 1	30%	66%	4%	120
Year 2	34%	56%	10%	120
Year 3	11%	34%	55%	120
Year 4	16%	27%	57%	120
Year 5	31%	7%	62%	120

The timings detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they may change if course modules change. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on this webpage for updates.