HS434-6-PS-CO:
Paediatric Dental Therapy
2026/27
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring & Summer
Undergraduate: Level 6
Future
Monday 18 January 2027
Friday 02 July 2027
30
27 August 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC B752 Dental Hygiene and Therapy
This module provides the structure for learning the foundational knowledge and skills to manage plaque related diseases, namely the management of dental caries and non-carious tooth surface loss in child and adolescent patients.
The aim of this module is:
- To provide the academic, underpinning knowledge to 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:
- Demonstrate knowledge of normal and abnormal growth and development of the child and adolescent, including relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial and general anatomy, and how this relates to patient care of young patients.
- Explain the aetiology, pathogenesis and epidemiological trends of oral and dental disease and their application to child and adolescent patient management
- Demonstrate knowledge of clinical presentation of dental disorders and systemic diseases which may affect the management of children and adolescents.
- Explain the principles underpinning the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of oral and dental diseases in child and adolescent, taking into consideration the impact of the variance in disease presentation across diverse cultural and social groups, and those with protected characteristics.
- Discuss the importance of each component of the patient assessment process for child and adolescent, taking into account patient compliance, values and cultural identity, self-care, leading to a personalised preventive and treatment plan.
- Be able to obtain valid consent from patients explaining all the relevant factors and taking into account the legal requirements where appropriate within scope of practice
- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the principles of management of the different types of carious lesions in the primary dentition, including risks, benefits, complications and contra-indications.
- Understand and demonstrate the influence of tooth morphology on restorative techniques in the primary dentition
- Have the underpinning knowledge to manage trauma and dental injuries in the primary and permanent dentition
- Appreciate the factors influencing the selection of materials for the restoration of the primary tooth
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of cavity design and classification, and pulp protection for the primary dentition
- Demonstrate the principles and techniques for assessing pulp vitality and the management of deep carious lesions and pulpal exposures in the primary dentition.
- Explain general and systemic diseases, special needs and psychological conditions, and their relevance to oral health and impact on clinical treatment, patient compliance, self-care, and outcomes for the child and adolescent
- Explain and evaluate psychological and sociological concepts and theoretical frameworks of health, illness, behavioural change and disease, and how these can be applied in clinical practice for child and adolescent
- Interpret radiographs in the dental development of a child patient, and in the management of dental diseases.
- Explain what is meant by a prognostic indicator and apply prognostic indicators to a range of clinical situations for child and adolescent
- Evaluate the risks and benefits of treatment under conscious sedation and general anaesthesia including patient selection criteria and make appropriate referrals
- Be able to critically evaluate all components of patient management including risks, benefits, contra-indications and indications
- Identify the signs of abuse, neglect or emotional trauma, explain local and national systems that safeguard the welfare of children and adults and understand how to raise concerns and act accordingly
- Describe the importance of non-verbal communication, including listening skills, and the barriers to effective communication, particularly with children and adolescents with anxious or challenging behaviour.
Professional body requirements
In order to meet accreditation requirements students will be required to pass all module assessment components.
Indicative syllabus
- Human Growth & Development
- Development of the human dentition
- Orthodontics
- Disturbances in tooth development
Behaviour management
Dental caries in children & adolescents
Scientific basis of caries prevention
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:
- Lectures (185 hours) Online and classroom-based delivery
- Seminars (9 hours)
- Workshops (6 hours)
Independent study: Regular guided learning tasks will be set for students using the Moodle virtual learning platform.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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