UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Preston
3. University School/Centre
School of Medicine and Dentistry
4. External Accreditation
None
5. Title of Final Award
Cert HE Dental Studies (Dental Care Professionals)
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Combination of:
Part-time
Blended
7. UCAS Code
N/A
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
9. Other external influences
Department of Health (2009) Delivering better oral
health:An evidence-based toolkit for prevention London
DH
GDC Scope of Dental Practice
Department of Health (2009) Decontamination: Health
Technical Memorandum 01-05 Decontamination in
primary care dental practice London DH
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
September 2011
11. Aims of the Programme




To provide opportunities for dental care professionals to develop their professional
knowledge and skills in a structured higher education environment to enable them to
contribute to promotion of improved oral health in the population
To enable students to become aware of their strengths and areas of learning need and
provide a supportive foundation for personal, professional and career development
To raise awareness of the social, political, legal and ethical conditions within which dental
care practice is delivered
To provide opportunities for study of core areas of interest to dental care professionals
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1 Demonstrate awareness of concepts, theories and contemporary evidence-base to
enhance dental care practice within their role
A2 Demonstrate awareness of some of the social, political, legal and ethical factors
influencing their own dental care practice
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, E-Learn, Action Learning Sets, Group Work, case-based discussions, case study analysis
Assessment methods
Projects, essays, examinations, portfolios, presentations, case presentations
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Demonstrate enhanced skills in competent clinical practice as dental care professionals,
within the range, context and limitations of professional role
B2 Demonstrate skills required to utilise evidence-based practice within context of own role
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, Demonstrations, practical sessions, group work
Assessment methods
Direct Observation of Practice, OSCES
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Reflect on experience and performance, to develop enhanced practice and identify
learning needs to enhance the dental health of the population
C2. Consider evidence based responses to implementing change within sphere of own
professional responsibilities to enhance the dental health of the population
.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Discussions, tutorials, lectures
Assessment methods
Projects, portfolios, presentations
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Utilise effective communication skills with patients and the wider dental team
D2. Develop strategies to identify and address personal and professional learning needs
D3 Demonstrate awareness of the importance of self-management, teamwork and
enterprise in providing excellence in patient care
Teaching and Learning Methods
Action learning sets, role play, case-based discussions, personal tutorials
Assessment methods
Presentations, portfolios
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Module
Code
DX1001
Module Title
Essential Skills for Dental
Care Professionals’
Development
Law, Ethics and
DX1002
Professionalism
Decontamination and
DX1003
Infection Prevention in
Dental Practice
Extended Duties for Dental
DX1004
Nurses
Assisting in restorative
DX1005
dental procedures and
dental conservation
Oral Pathology and
DX1006
Microbiology
Oral health and application
DN1001
of fluoride varnish
15. Personal Development Planning
Level 4
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
20
20
Certificate of Higher Education
Dental Studies (Dental Care
Professionals)
Requires 120credits at Level 4 or
above
20
20
20
20
20
According to QAA (2004), PDP is:
 A structured process that is integral to higher level learning
 Concerned with learning in an holistic sense (academic and non-academic)
 Something done with guidance and support
 A process that involves reflection, creation of personal records, planning and
monitoring progress towards achievement of personal objectives
 Intended to improve the capacity of the individual to communicate their learning to
others who are interested in it (academic staff/ employers)
Using the above ideas as a framework to support personal development planning, all
students on the course will have the opportunity to access university resources (library, eLearn resources, staff). There will be an introductory event which will serve as a taster and
as an induction process. Students will have the opportunity to develop their IT skills through
accessing and using E- learn and through portfolio development, and through specific
modules where personal, professional, enterprise and career development are addressed.
Reference
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2004) Recommendations for policy on
PDP. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/crntwork/progfilehe/summary/pdppolicy_textonly.htm#1
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Students must be qualified dental care professionals and registered with the General Dental Council.
Qualification as dental nurses via NVQ 3 or NEBDN National Certificate or hospital based equivalent
All applicants will be interviewed prior to acceptance
The candidate would also be expected to be supported by a senior dental professional who must
agree to support and mentor the student in their studies.
17. Key sources of information about the programme




Fact sheet
Student handbook
School website
Subject lead
e.g. LEVEL 4
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core (C),
Compulsory
Other skills relevant to
Module
(COMP) or
Knowledge and
Subjectemployability and
Level Code
Module Title
Option (O)
understanding specific Skills Thinking Skills personal development
Oral Health and Application
DN1001 of Fluoride Varnish
Essential Skills for Dental
DX1001 Care Professionals’
Development
Law, Ethics and
DX1002 Professionalism
O
A1
A2
B1
X
X
X
C1
C2
D1
D2
D3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
C2
D1
D2
X
O
O
Decontamination and
DX1003 Infection Prevention in Dental
Practice
O
Extended Duties for Dental
DX1004 Nurses
O
Assisting in restorative dental
procedures and dental
DX1005 conservation
O
Oral Pathology and
DX1006 Microbiology
O
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A1
Note:
B2
X
X
A2
B1
B2
C1
X
Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
D3