Module Directory

This module allows student dental therapists to use their clinical practice as a focus for their study and consider this environment by focussing their scholarship, research and enquiry on enhancing effective clinical practice in adult, child and adolescent patients.

It enables consolidation of the theory with the opportunity to treat a range of adults, child and adolescent patients with dental caries, periodontal disease and non-carious tooth loss.

The aims of this module are:

• To develop the necessary academic, clinical and technical skills to start supervised student practice managing the care of patients for plaque related diseases (primarily focussing on dental caries and non-carious tooth surface loss) and be able to work in a clinical environment using a safe and professional approach.


• To develop competency to manage a broad range of restorative procedures in adults presenting with a variety of medical and oral needs


• To promote a patient-centred approach within the student’s clinical environment.


• To apply knowledge of the various dental disorders and systemic diseases by applying this to the management and treatment of the growing and developing child into adolescent patients.


• To acquire and develop the clinical and technical skills to plan, undertake preventative and restorative procedures and manage the care of child and adolescent patients using a patient centred, evidence-based and holistic and professional approach.

By the end of the module, students will be expected to:

1. Employ a balanced, evidence based approach to justify clinical decisions in relation to periodontal disease, dental caries and non-carious tooth surface loss, considering risks, benefits, contra-indications and indications.


2. Competently undertake the range of procedures for management of the different types of carious lesions using appropriate moisture control techniques and selected restorative materials in both adults and children for both the deciduous and permanent dentitions with a thorough understanding of cavity design, classification, and pulpal protection.


3. Undertake a full assessment and clinical examination of the hard and soft tissues for adult and child patients, identifying anatomical features and detection of hard and soft tissue pathology, maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records, raising concerns as appropriate.


4. Develop and interpret personalised treatment plans, manage and provide primary and secondary prevention and intervention for patients with periodontal disease, dental caries and implants, and non-carious tooth surface loss within scope of practice, and deliver treatment taking into account individual patient needs for adult, child and adolescent patients


5. Develop the clinical skills needed to diagnose dental caries, non-carious tooth surface loss and periodontal disease by using different diagnostic methods, including intra- and extra-oral radiography, in conjunction with dentists.


6. Understand the principles and techniques for assessing pulp vitality, the pulpal response to the deep carious lesion and undertake the management of pulpal exposures in the primary and permanent dentitions within Scope of Practice.


7. Safely and appropriately prescribe and administer medicines and therapeutic agents


8. Identify and explain the risks within and around the clinical environment and manage these in a safe and effective manner including effective decontamination and infection control procedures.


9. Obtain valid consent from patients explaining all the relevant factors and taking into account the legal requirements where appropriate within scope of practice


10. Recognise the need for follow up care to monitor and review treatment outcomes undertaken and provide preventive care and clinical intervention as appropriate.


11. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of advanced restorative procedures


12. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills using written, spoken and electronic means, when relating to patients from different communities, their families and associates, dental team members and other health professionals.


13. Raise concerns where appropriate about your own or others’ health, behaviour or professional performance.


14. Act within the legal and ethical frameworks which inform personal behaviour, the delivery of healthcare and the protection and promotion of the health of individual patients


15. Demonstrate key skills with regard to anxiety management and dealing sensitively with a broad range of patients and their differing needs.


16. Recognise the limitations of their clinical skills, reflecting on the clinical experience gained to date and develop strategies to promote self-awareness and continuing professional development, seeking advice where appropriate.


17. Understand and demonstrate the influence of tooth morphology on restorative techniques in the primary dentition


18. Understand and demonstrate management of the behaviour of the young child and adolescent patient


19. Demonstrate skills for managing children and adolescents with special needs.


20. Identify, assess, and manage medical emergencies

Professional body requirements

In order to meet accreditation requirements students will be required to pass all module assessment components.

Indicative syllabus

• Clinical Practice


• Dental Caries


• History taking & clinical examinations


• Dental radiography


• Clinical decision making for caries management


• Operative management of dental caries


• Dental materials


• Non- carious tooth surface loss


• Periodontal Diseases and the peri-implant interface


• Medical Histories & systemic conditions


• History taking & clinical examinations


• Restoring permanent teeth


• Diagnosis and treatment planning


• Techniques involved in restoration of permanent teeth


• Complications following restoration of teeth


• Advanced restorative procedures


• Oral Therapeutics


• Individual needs


• Developing communication skills


• Working as a team member and independently


• Behaviour management


• Dental caries in children & adolescents


• Treatment planning the primary and mixed dentitions


• Caries management of primary and young permanent teeth




• Radiography


• Local anaesthesia


• Management of carious lesions


• Management of dental trauma and injuries




• Occlusion & orthodontics


• Dental material science for the primary dentition


• Periodontal diseases in children and adolescents


• Children with special needs, medically compromised children

This module will be delivered via:

• Practicals (45 hours)
• Drop-in sessions (23 hours)
• Placement (532 hours)

Skills-based and simulated practice: This will take place under supervision in our oral health skills labs.

Practice-based: The student will undertake a clinical placement in a relevant clinical environment (Primary care placement) and will be given opportunities to develop their clinical skills, as well as opportunities to demonstrate competence at the learning outcomes specified for the modules work-based assessment.