(FdSc) Foundation Degree of Science
Oral Health Science
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Health and Social Care (School of)
Southend Campus
Foundation Degree
Full-time
Health Studies
Health Studies
Health Studies
FDSCB750
10/05/2023
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
UK entry requirements
GCSE: Mathematics and English C/4. Acceptable alternatives to our GCSE Maths and English requirements are listed further down this page.
GCSE Science C/4 is also required if you are applying with a National Dental Nurse Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing.
Plus one of the following:
- A-levels: CC to include a core science (Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science or Physics)
- BTEC: MPP in a science-related subject.
- Access to Higher Education Diploma in a science-related subject - 45 level 3 credits at Pass or above.
- T-levels: Pass with E in core in a science-related subject
- National Dental Nurse Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing, along with:
- a minimum of two years' experience from either pre- or post-qualification employment (please list employment details carefully on your UCAS application); and
- GCSE Science C/4 – can be single Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics
If you are taking or have achieved any qualifications that are not listed here, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
GCSE/level 2 requirements
All applicants must have, or be working towards, acceptable level 2 mathematics and English qualifications such as GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent.
- We can accept a number of OFQUAL regulated level 2 maths qualifications in place of GCSE Maths C/4, including Functional Skills level 2, Key Skills level 2 or numeracy units taken as part of an Access to HE Diploma.
- If you do not require a Student visa and are either a first language English speaker or have a lived in the UK for over three years, we can accept a number of OFQUAL regulated level 2 English qualifications, including Functional Skills level 2, Key Skills level 2 or literacy units taken as part of an Access to HE Diploma, in place of GCSE English C/4.
- If you have not listed a suitable maths or English qualification in your application this may form part of any offer given to you.
Additional requirements
You must also have a satisfactory Occupational Health Check and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (including child and adult barred list check) - both of these are organised by the University. Please contact our DBS team if you have any questions relating to this.
A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS Check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more.
Application process
If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to attend a compulsory interview via Zoom.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
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
- Develop professionals who are able to meet the current dental health needs of individuals and society Foster the habit of life long learning to enable continuing professional development to meet the future needs of patients and society
- Widen access to professional education so that individuals who aspire to become dental hygienists can practice as registered practitioners safely and competently
- Create flexible, inter-professional learning pathways to bridge the skill gaps of the NHS dental workforce while meeting the learning needs and aspirations of individuals
- Develop and sustain personal effectiveness by developing self awareness, confidence, autonomy and the habit of life long learning and reflective practice
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-A6 Face to face teaching to introduce material in a structured manner with opportunity for class discussion.
On-line learning of new material and on-line exercises to test understanding.
Individual assignment and group work, utilising inquiry based approaches.
A5 is supported by directed personal reflection on personal experience and through tutorial support and supervision
A6- is achieved through group work, two short exercises and a literature review
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 to B5 are achieved through a combination of group and individual activities.
Face to face teaching and WebCT are used to introduce new material and explore within a group setting and online discussion.
WebCT provides structured learning at the students own pace and enables the student to deepen and strengthen this learning through enquiry based learning
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 to C3 are achieved through on-line problem based learning, practical demonstration and role play
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-D4 and D6 are achieved through on-line problem based learning, D5 is developed through practice based learning
Assessment methods
D1-6 are assessed through SAT’s, written assignments, OSCE’s, portfolio’s