PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MClinDent Orthodontics
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
Final award – MClinDent
(Exit award – MSc)
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2009 entry onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Medical Sciences
Parent Department:
UCL Eastman Dental Institute
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
See: http://www.eastman.ucl.ac.uk/eep/index.html
Length of the programme:
2 calendar years full time for MClinDent
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Level 7
N/A
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
The MClinDent programme is two years full-time and all modules are
compulsory.
(see guidance notes)
The programme includes a structured lecture series, academic seminars,
orthodontic laboratory-work, problem-based seminars and a research
project leading to a dissertation. Graduates also undertake supervised
treatment of patients and attend regular diagnostic clinics.
The first year consists of 1 Common Teaching module (Clinical Science
and Research Methods: 15 credits), taken with five Orthodontic specific
modules (four of which are 30 credits each and one is 15 credits).
The MClinDent is completed by taking four more 30 credit modules in the
second year and a 90 credit Dissertation module.
Assessment varies from module to module. Methods include written
assessments, practical skills assessments, clinical assessments, case
presentations, vivas and submission of the dissertation.
There are no standard term times since this is a clinical programme and
there is a need to maintain patient care throughout.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Orthodontics
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
If the MClinDent is passed and a full three
year training programme is undertaken
(NB: an additional third year of study is
required in addition to this programme),
then the graduate is eligible to sit the
Membership in Orthodontics examination
at one of the following colleges and be
exempt from certain components of the
examination:
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh;
Royal Colleges of Surgeons of
England/Glasgow (Bicollegiate).
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit: N/A
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The Orthodontic Programme aims to develop the basic academic, clinical and technical skills required to enable
the graduate to undertake the independent practice of orthodontics. In particular it aims to provide an
understanding of:
 Orthodontic diagnostic assessment
 The aetiology of malocclusion
 Orthodontic treatment planning
 The scope and limitations of orthodontic treatment
 The principles of somatic and facial growth as applied to orthodontics
 The principles of tooth movement under the influence of orthodontic forces
 Orthodontic mechanotherapy using a range of different appliance systems
 Biomaterials relevant to orthodontics
 Radiology and radiography as applied to orthodontics including cephalometrics
 Prescribing and manufacture of laboratory-produced appliances
 The diagnosis, planning and management of patients requiring multidisciplinary care
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
 Cognitive orthodontic theory
 Orthodontic mechanotherapy
 Critical analysis of the literature
 Research methods
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
 Application of orthodontic theory into
clinical practice
 Direct and indirect principles of
treatment planning and
mechanotherapy
 Clinical problem solving
 Critical analysis of the literature
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
 Structured lecture programme
 Seminars on designated topics
 Literature critique for unseen written assignments
 Supervised research project leading to a dissertation
Assessment:
 Written assessments
 Practical assessments
 Academic and research progress assessments through
internal graduate appraisal process
B: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
 Diagnostic teaching clinics with Consultant staff
 Application and synthesis through problem-based
clinical case seminars
 Supervised clinical care of patients
 Self-directed learning
 Literature review for research project leading to
dissertation
Assessment:
 Diagnosis/treatment and research progress
assessments through internal graduate appraisal
process
 Written assessments
 Clinical assessments
 Viva style assessments
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
 Demonstrate clinical treatment skills
 Demonstrate diagnostic skills
 Apply skills in a clinical scenario
 Produce orthodontic appliances to a
standard suitable for clinical use
 Carry out a research project
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
 Introductory practical and typodont courses
 Diagnostic teaching clinics with Consultant staff
 Supervised clinical care of patients
 Laboratory-based practical exercises
 Production of a series of appliances for patients
 Supervised research
Assessment:
 Gateway assessment of introductory typodont
 Diagnosis/treatment, technical and research progress
assessments through internal graduate appraisal
process
 Practical assessments
 Case presentations
 Viva style assessments
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
 Produce essays and research reports
(and publications where possible)
 Carry out a search and critically assess
the literature
 Plan and execute a research project
 IT skills
 Present clinical and research material
orally
 Learn independently
 Treat a range of orthodontic
malocclusions
 Carry out a range of practical laboratory
skills
Teaching/learning methods and
strategies:
 Written assessments
 Production of research dissertation
 Clinical/research meetings
 Diagnostic clinics and clinical case seminars
 Self-directed learning
 Supervised treatment of patients
 Laboratory-based technique exercises
Assessment:
 Written assessments
 Preparation of a dissertation
 Diagnosis/treatment, academic, technical and research
progress assessments through internal graduate
appraisal process
 Case presentations
 Viva style assessments
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
S Cunningham
Name(s):
Date of Production:
April 2009
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
December 2015
December 2015