(BSc) Bachelor of Science
Oral Health Science
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Health and Social Care (School of)
Southend Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Health Studies
Health Studies
Health Studies
BSC B751
26/07/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
The General Dental Council quality assures and approves qualifications for registration, for the following registrant groups: Dentists; dental hygienists; dental therapists; dental nurses; clinical dental technicians; dental technicians; and orthodontic therapists.
Admission criteria
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Mrs Beverley Bishop
Head of Birmingham School of Dental Hygiene and Therapy
BCHC NHS Foundation TrustMs Emily Banks
Lecturer in Dental Hygiene and Therapy
Cardiff University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- The general aims of the programme offered are to develop professionals who are able to meet the oral health needs of adults and children in relation to the provision of restorative care, building on previous knowledge gained as a dental hygienist, by a combination of primary care placements and university based teaching.
- The programme offers a broad scientific and clinical base preparing graduates to practise as dental therapists.>
- To provide a programme of learning & assessment which covers the aspects of dental therapy as defined by the General Dental Councils curricula Preparing for Practice Dental Team Learning Outcomes for Registration document.
- To enable students to develop professional attributes to become autonomous professionals capable of undertaking unsupervised clinical work to a high level through the development of individual communication, critical, clinical, analytical and research skills.
- To enable students to develop the skills necessary for life long independent learning.
- To provide a supportive and friendly learning environment for students throughout their programme.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Significant understanding of the theories, principles and concepts underpinning the range of clinical skills necessary to practice as a dental therapist
A3: A critical understanding of dental research to enhance evidence based dental practice
A4: Advanced understanding of the theories and practice of reflective learning and its role in personal and professional development.
Learning methods
A1 is assessed by SATs, clinical case study and presentation.
A2 is assessed by clinical case study and presentation.
A3 is assessed by portfolio development and clinical case study and presentation
Assessment methods
A1- A8 are assessed by course work
A1 and A2 are further assessed by written tests and OSCE
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Use theoretical knowledge gained by critically reviewing the evidence to reach sound clinical decisions and promote evidence-based practice
B3: Write well structured, critically analytical reflective accounts of clinical practice
B4: Practice in ways that draw heavily on reflection of practice and responsibilities
Learning methods
B1 is assessed through coursework, SATs, portfolio’s, class presentations
B2-3 are assessed through written assignments and reflective portfolio’s
Assessment methods
B1 to B5 are assessed by course work, MCQ, written tests, OSCE and a literature review
C: Practical skills
C1: Demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient centered oral healthcare in primary care by acting autonomously and inviting feedback from others to inform this process
C2: Be competent in undertaking the full range of clinical procedures undertaken within the competence of a dental therapist.
C3: Perform their role safely and take responsibility for the range of clinical procedures undertaken with minimum supervision
C4: The acquisition of a wide range of skills including analytical and problem solving skills in relation to patient care, communication, teamworking skills
C5: Plan and present work in an appropriate manner; eg by using word processing packages
Learning methods
C1-4 are taught by formal sessions, and small group work and enquiry based learning. This is followed up by practical sessions in the dental skills laboratory, supported by ongoing individual supervision in primary care environments and reflective portfolio’s.
C5 is supported by student presentations, online student forums and written coursework
Assessment methods
C1-4 are assessed by SATs, written assignments, OSCE’s, portfolios
C5 is assessed through demonstration of its application in class presentations, written work, SATs, OSCE’s and portfolio’s
D: Key skills
D1: Promote and demonstrate effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication in a variety of clinical and non-clinical environments.
D2: Use contemporary methods of electronic communication and information management to inform knowledge, enhance communication and promote and improve patient care
D3: Read and interpret tables of data and statistics; use statistics to analyse data
D4: Identify problems emerging from theory and practice to find solutions to a range of clinical problems acting in the best interests of patients at all times
D5: Work effectively as part of the dental (and wider healthcare) team to promote patients oral and general health, and to enhance safe clinical practice
D6: demonstrate independence in learning; use reflective skills for the development of own knowledge and skills; development of critical thinking skills in the synthesis of theory to practice
Learning methods
D1-6 are taught through seminars, small group work, presentations in class and in the clinical areas and enhanced by ongoing individual tutorials and support from academic and clinical educator in general practice
Assessment methods
D1-6 are assessed through SAT’s, written assignments, OSCE’s, portfolio’s