Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
Transcript of Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 1/32
Dentistry (BDS 5yr)
Undergraduate
Prospectus2
0 1
3
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 2/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 3/32
Contents
Welcome
Introduction from the Head of School
Key Features of the Peninsula Experience
Lifestyle
The Course
Guiding Principles
Curriculum Overview
Years One and Two
Years Three and Four
Year Five
Life at the School
Supporting your Learning
Campus Locations
Accommodation
Application Process
Admissions
Entry Requirements
Student Interviews
Student Conduct & Fitness to Practice
Open Days
All information contained in this prospectus wascorrect at the time of going to print
Page
5
7
9
The Course
10
11
13
14
15
Life at
16
20
23
25
26
27
28
31
3
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 4/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 5/32
Introduction from the Head of School
At Plymouth University Peninsula Schools
of Medicine and Dentistry you will work
and study in state-of-the-art facilities.
Our exceptional staff share a common goal
of graduating rst-class dentists optimally
prepared for the rapidly changing
healthcare environment.
The School’s ethos of quality, innovation
and partnership are the foundations of
a dental school which prepares you fora career that will be deeply satisfying,
continually stimulating, and genuinely
about creating health and serving patients.
After initial training in our state-of-the-art
Simulated Dental Learning Environment
your clinical work takes place in four
Dental Education Facilities with a total of
126 chairs. Our core academic staff are
complemented by a dedicated team of
the best dental practitioners in the South
West whose role as Clinical Supervisors
allows them to share their knowledgeand experience with you. We believe in
early clinical exposure and you will be
interacting with patients from early in
your course.
The Plymouth University Peninsula School
of Dentistry is deeply committed to
equality, and treats all students as adult
learners who enjoy the journey from
‘novice’ to ‘expert’. Your academic tutor
will support and advise you at regular
meetings throughout the year. Our intake
of 64 students means that you get to
know the staff well and rapidly become an
integral part of the team. We are a friendly
community offering great support to all of
our students.
We believe we have a winning formula to
provide the best possible experience for
tomorrow’s practitioners.
The South West of England is surrounded
by breathtaking scenery ranging from the
wild beauty of Dartmoor to some of the
best surng beaches in the country, a
fantastic place to study, live and work.
We look forward to receiving your
application.
Professor Christopher Tredwin
BDS(Hons),BSc(Hons),MSc,PhD,
MFDSRCS(Eng),FDS(RestDent)RCS,FHEA
Professor of Restorative Dentistry & Director
of Clinical Dentistry
5
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 6/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 7/32
Key Features of the Peninsula Experience
7
Student-Centred
The School is committed to placing
student satisfaction at the heart of all our
education activities. This is reected by
our consistently high rankings for medicine
and now for dentistry in the National
Student Survey. You are now being asked
to make a signicant investment in your
future, in turn, we will make a signicant
investment in you. We will work withyou in a partnership aimed at ensuring
you have every opportunity to realise
your potential to be a dentist who is t
to practise in the emerging national and
international healthcare environments.
Small Groups and
Contact Hours
At the School you will often be taught in
small groups of currently no more than
ten for non-clinical learning. While therewill be a high expectation that you will
be able to demonstrate the traits of a
self-directed and independent learner, you
will have regular face-to-face contact with
expert small group facilitators, clinical
teachers and non-clinical academic staff.
You will also have access to dedicated
academic and pastoral tutors able to
provide tailored advice on your academic
progress and matters relating to welfare
and well-being.
Student Involvement
At the School, you will be given the
opportunity to work with us to ensure
that your programme is best suited to
your needs. We actively encourage student
feedback at all levels of the learning
experience. We have established a unique
Student Parliament, through which
students have the opportunity to raise
issues relating to their learning experience
directly with members of the School’s
senior team. In addition, there is student
representation on the majority of our
senior committees.
Preparedness for
Clinical Practice
At the School, you will be exposed to
the uniquely broad range of clinical
environments across Devon and Cornwall.
Dental students have the opportunity to
treat patients in one of the School’s four
Dental Education Facilities. These are NHS
training clinics which provide treatment
like an NHS general dental practice and,
as they are all based in primary care, offer
ideal preparation for future practice. This
variety will ensure that you are provided
with true depth and breadth of clinical
experience and are therefore well-prepared
for the challenges of clinical practice in the
modern healthcare environment.
Innovation, Expertise and
Research
At the School, you will have access to
one of the most innovative education
programmes in the country. This includes
state-of-the-art training in clinical and
communication skills, science learning with
a strong focus on technology-enhanced
learning in areas such as anatomy and
physiology, and a wide variety of student-
selected learning experiences.
You will be taught and assessed by
acknowledged experts in their elds and
in a research-rich educational environment.We will demonstrate to you how research
informs the development and improvement
of clinical practice and how those who are
interested and able may best develop a
career in clinical academic research.
Improving Employability
in a Changing Healthcare
Environment
In 2012 our dental graduates were highly
successful and competitive in nding
vocational training posts within the NHS.
Many of our graduates chose to work
in the South West peninsula, indicating
the very positive engagement that our
students developed with the clinical
community here in the South West. We
will work closely with you throughout your
time at the School to ensure that you are
properly advised on career development
and that your self-selected learning
experiences reect your ambitions. We
will ensure that your learning experiencesenable you to be competitive in any
clinical employment market. As part of
this commitment, we ensure that you are
fully prepared for the Dental Foundation
application process and the interview
process for selection of posts.
We also strive to ensure that there
are opportunities for wider community
engagement. For example dental students
will be involved in a diverse range of
community-based projects such as a
homeless refuge and a project supporting
vulnerable teenage parents, as well as
involvement with community anchor
organisations and the Public Health
Development Unit. When taking the
decision to embark on a career in
dentistry it is advisable to consider the
range of different careers within the
professions, ranging from clinical practice,
education, research, drug development
and public policy.
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 8/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 9/32
9
Lifestyle
Plymouth is the largest city in the South
West, with a population of over 250,000
and offers all the attractions of city
life: an outstanding selection of shops,
restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs to
suit every taste and pocket.
Given the South West location, water-
based activities are extremely popular
and well represented. Plymouth University
is unique in having its own Diving andMarine Centre. Set in a prime waterfront
location, the Mount Batten Water Sports
Activities Centre, is the South West’s
premier waterside venue specialising
in sailing, power boating, kayaking
and windsurng. The centre has RYA
recognition, is AALA approved and has
been awarded the Learning Outside the
Class Room quality badge.
As far as possible Wednesday afternoons
are kept free for recreation, encouraging
you to join up and enjoy the opportunitiesavailable. The Student’s Union will help
you make the most of your free time and
offers much more than just good bars,
nightclubs and live entertainment. It
provides the perfect social complement to
your academic life.
The city has a rapidly developing music
and comedy scene attracting many top
productions and bands also hosting a
wealth of up-and-coming local talent.
Of the city’s four theatres, the largest,
is the Theatre Royal, which attracts and
has produced many West End successes.
Cinema ranges from a 15-screen multiplex
to an arts centre concentrating on less
mainstream movies.
If you want to escape city life, a short
stroll from the city centre is the Hoe,
Plymouth’s waterfront, where you can
enjoy superb views across some of Devon
and Cornwall’s nest coastlines or take
a dip in Plymouth’s art deco lido. Follow
the promenade and you will nd yourself in the Barbican area, Plymouth’s historic
heart, where narrow Elizabethan cobbled
streets house quirky shops, galleries,
pavement cafés, bars and nightclubs, as
well as the National Marine Aquarium.
Just north of Plymouth is Dartmoor
National Park, the largest and wildest
area of open country in southern England.
To our south, east and west we are
surrounded by the beautiful coastline of
Devon and Cornwall.
The lifestyle of the South West is perfect
for relaxing: you can head for the beach,
go to a country pub or take in the fresh
air and sunshine in beauty spots on the
moors. The peninsula is also a paradise
for the outdoor enthusiast looking for a
bit more of an adrenaline rush. The wild
scenery of Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin
Moor and the amazing coastal footpaths
provide an exciting challenge for hikers,
climbers, horse riders, cyclists and other
sports people; while the coast and
rivers are perfect for sailors, swimmers,
water-skiers, windsurfers, kite-surfersand sunbathers! Surfers can nd some
of the best surf in the country on the
north Devon and Cornwall coasts and
international surng competitions are
often held in Cornwall.
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 10/32
Guiding Principles
The ve-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery
(BDS) programme* is a patient-centred
programme delivered in a supportive and
research-rich environment. You will work
with many different patients, a wide range
of oral conditions and become familiar
with community and public health issues.
Science and clinical skills are integrated
in the curriculum and you will learn within
a variety of dental teaching clinics. Youwill also work within both the educational
and voluntary sectors and with hospital
consultants.
You will be prepared for your future role
as a healthcare professional. You will
become skilled at communicating with
patients and colleagues, work well in a
team, have the ability to make decisions,
lead when appropriate and be effective
under pressure.
You will be well-prepared to approach
clinical problems holistically, appreciating
personal and social dimensions as well asthe biomedical basis of oral disease.
Assessment methods at the School
encourage the development of clinical and
communication skills side by side, as well
as the acquisition of profound scientic
knowledge, all of which you will need to
underpin your future career.
The primary aim of the School is to ensure
you are able to perform your future clinical
roles with condence and competence,
and have a sound foundation of scienticenquiry from which to engage in a lifetime
of learning.
The BDS programme has been mapped
against the GDC’s guidance ‘Preparing
For Practice’ (2012) to ensure that the
programme meets all of the learning
outcome required for dental graduates.
The quality of your clinical supervision
within the School is underpinned by a
team of Consultants in Dentistry in each of
our Dental Education Facilities. Consultantposts in Dental Public Health also
underpin our community engagement and
oral health promotion.
In choosing to join us, we can promise
you a modern dental education of the
highest quality which incorporates
the most well-researched educational
techniques and ideas.
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
*Subject to the approval of the
General Dental Council
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 11/32
11
The School draws on the strengths of its
University and NHS partners to deliver
what we believe to be the most exciting
and innovative undergraduate dental
degree programme available today.
The degree programme is carefully
structured to ensure that, as a dental
graduate, you will possess the knowledge,
skills and attitudes required for safe
practice and entry into your rst clinicaljob as a Dental Foundation Year 1 dentist.
Whilst the majority of the ve-year
undergraduate BDS degree programme
can be considered ‘core’ and provides
essential knowledge and skills, there are
also Special Study Units which means that
you are able to study, in depth, selected
areas which may be of special interest
to you.
Effective teamwork is essential to the
efcient delivery of dental care. Mostof your learning will take place in small
groups, which will prepare you for working
in a team. Time for private study is built
into the timetable, enabling you to take
responsibility for your own learning by
using the wide array of resources and
learning support which is available.
Three main teaching themes are vertically
integrated across the programme.
These are:
• Science for dentistry
• Clinical dentistry
• Personal and professional development
Student learning is supported by the use
of study guides which develop knowledge
of oral disease and its causes by working
through a case scenario, identifying
the knowledge, clinical reasoning
and analytical skills needed to deal
appropriately with the case. This enquiry-
based learning takes place in a highly
supported, blended learning environment
incorporating e-learning, tutorials, self-
directed learning and plenary sessions.
Whether you are at the main teaching
centre at Plymouth University or engaged
in clinical practice at one of the Dental
Education Facilities across the South West
of the peninsula, there are extensive
e-learning, library and other facilitieswhich include videos, CDs, DVDs, books,
publications, access to electronic journals
and facilities for telematic conferencing.
For further information please visit:
www.plymouth.ac.uk/peninsula
Curriculum Overview
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 12/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 13/32
Years One and Two
During Years One and Two you will learn
the core scientic foundations of dentistry
in a clinical context.
Year One covers aspects of normal
structure, function and behaviour and the
scientic basis of these. It also focuses on
dental health, prevention of dental disease
and the underlying principles of personal
and professional development. You will be
introduced to the clinic and the SimulatedDental Learning Environment (SDLE) at an
early age.
In Year One you will gain insight into the
importance of team working in dentistry
as you work as a dental nurse with senior
students in clinic. By the end of Year 1 you
will be familiar and comfortable with the
clinical environment and SDLE.
In Year Two, you build on your foundations
with common dental problems, as well
as disease mechanisms being consideredin much greater depth. In term one,
training intensies in the SDLE and you
are prepared for your rst own patient
contact. Term two sees the introduction
of face-to-face contact with patients in
clinics, where you will be able to develop
your communication skills under the
close supervision of dental practitioners,
bringing to life experience and skills
gained in the SDLE.
In a typical week you may be expected
to attend:
• Four ‘theatre events’ known as
Plenaries, where you will meet
experts in various elds
• Clinical work in a healthcare setting in
the community
• Three structured enquiry-based
learning sessions
• Workshops and simulated dental
experiences
• An interactive life sciences practical class
You may also be expected to undertake
skills training which may involve
anything from ‘Intra-muscular injection’
in the Clinical Skills Resource Centre, to
practising a restorative technique in the
SDLE.
For further information please visit:
www.plymouth.ac.uk/peninsula
13
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 14/32
Years Three and Four
In Year Three the amount of time spent
in clinics will increase to three days per
week to continue your exposure to clinical
material, to build upon existing skills
and introduce additional topics where
appropriate.
One of the themes for Years Three and
Four is to consolidate the learning of
medically-related issues for the safe
practise of dentistry. To that end, you willbe given an opportunity to learn about
dentally relevant medical issues in patient-
based demonstrations, hospital outpatient
clinics and accident and emergency
departments.
Clinical activity will expand to 4 days per
week in Year Four. For senior students,
the work will embrace all of the aspects
of dental care provision expected of
a qualied dentist and will give you
experience in advanced restorative
techniques.
To facilitate learning, you will gain rst-
hand experience of the role and services
provided by specialists in primary and
secondary care, by spending time in
specialist clinics such as restorative
dentistry, oral surgery, oral diseases and
orthodontics.
We are also committed to enhancing your
managerial and leadership qualities. To
achieve this objective, senior studentswill delegate clinical work to junior
students thereby sharing their knowledge
of treatment planning. To complete the
educational journey, senior students will
also be instructed in the contemporary
business aspects of running a dental
practice within the current NHS structure.
For further information please visit:
www.plymouth.ac.uk/peninsula
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 15/32
15
Year Five
The emphasis in Year Five is on the
practical implementation of what you have
learnt in Years One to Four and is the nal
preparation for dental practice. You will
also become much more condent with
clinical situations, healthcare teams and
the principal of practice both in the HNS
and in private practice.
During Year Five you will also supplement
your learning with Case Presentations,which are patient presentations designed
to demonstrate that you are capable
and condent in diagnosing, treatment
planning and carrying out all the
procedures necessary to provide optimal
oral health care for patients.
Also in Year Five you will be provided
with information and guidance on your
Dental Foundation Year (DF1 ), your rst
year of dental practice in the NHS upon
graduation. The School will support
you through a series of careers events,
guidance on the DF1 application process
and interviews and plenaries on your
preparation for registration with the
General Dental Council.
For further information please visit:
www.plymouth.ac.uk/peninsula
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 16/32
Supporting your Learning
The curriculum uses an Enquiry-Based
Learning (EBL) approach whereby a clinical
case is used to introduce students to the
knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to
become rst-class dentists.
Enquiry-Based Learning
Students will work through a series of
clinical cases in groups of eight guided
by a trained facilitator, each case lastinga number of weeks. The cases follow
the human life cycle. Each group meets
on a regular basis; for example, in Year
One you will meet six times during a
fortnight to discuss the case, dene the
learning objectives and share knowledge
and information by reporting back what
you have learned individually. Between
meetings, you are expected to enquire
into all aspects of the case including
biomedical, public health, human science
and professional aspects. This self-directed
learning is supported by an intensively
structured learning environment. Activities
in the Life Sciences Resource Centre, the
Simulated Dental Learning Environment,
the Clinical Skills Resource Centre and
clinics will relate to the EBL case you are
studying. In this way you learn about
the science and art of dentistry in a
clinical context and all of your learning is
contextualised into your chosen vocation.
Plenary Sessions
The year group is brought together
regularly for large group teaching sessions.
Plenary lectures focus on specic subjects
relevant to the case you are studying and
often involve external experts. Telematic
links allow interaction between the sites
and with speakers. These signposting
sessions are platforms for learning and
will provide an invaluable opportunity for
students to meet together, along with an
acknowledged expert. You are expected
to interact with the speaker, and developyour learning by exploring their views
and expertise.
Self-Directed Learning
Although you are given extensive support
and direction, you are expected to take
responsibility for your own learning. Self-
directed learning is especially important
in dentistry as this approach will prepare
you for a lifetime of learning in your
career. You are, of course, supported by
an Academic Tutor and other School staff
throughout the programme.
Clinical & Communication
Skills
Students learn clinical competencies and
skills in the Simulated Dental Learning
Environment. Throughout the programme
competence in clinical procedures will
be developed prior to employing these
skills on patients. You will learn to
gather information, take patient medical
histories and carry out a detailed clinicalexamination. Depending on the stage
of the programme, the procedures you
learn will range from basic dentistry to
more complicated procedures, such as
crowns, bridges and endodontic work.
Simultaneously, you will develop the
ability to interact with patients in a variety
of situations. Learning about the social
context of health and disease, as well as
developing your communication skills will
enable you to understand the needs of
individual patients and ensure that youare able to provide appropriate treatment
in a truly holistic manner.
Clinical Practice Experience
As you progress through your degree
programme your clinical exposure will
increase. Extensive exposure to patients,
who will display a variety of oral diseases,
as well as systemic conditions, will
underpin the development of your clinical
skills. This experience will develop your
ability to think and perform like an
expert in the clinical environment.
You will:
• Experience oral healthcare as it is
delivered in general practice
• Learn from patients about the breadth
of diseases and health problems in a
community and the effect of social and
environmental factors on oral disease
• Understand through experience the
wide ranging impact and importance of
the dental team• Learn alongside, and from, experts in
the healthcare community including
doctors, nurses, social workers,
hygienists, therapists, technicians and
other healthcare professionals
Academic Tutor
At the School, you will be allocated
an Academic Tutor who oversees
your academic progress and personal
and professional development. Your
tutor is the rst point of contact for
academic support for the duration of the
programme. You will meet with your tutor
to review your progress in clinical skills,
personal development and academic
learning on a regular basis. You are
allocated a new tutor each year.
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 17/32
Assessment
Assessment will be both formative and
summative and based on current best
practice in clinical education. You will
progress between modules and years of
the course only after demonstrating that
you have gained requisite knowledge,
competencies, and clinical experience.
Assessment is an important part of
study, serving the learning process in anumber of key ways. The assessment
process determines the standard you are
working towards and demonstrates that
you are achieving it. Importantly, regular
assessment enables you to view your
progression and development objectively.
We want to create a learning environment
in which all of our students can
successfully complete the programme.
The assessment process is a key tool in
quickly detecting any issues that you may
have with your learning. It can provide a
clear signpost that you may need help.
• Your progress on the programme
is assessed in relation to your
knowledge, professional development
and your work in clinical practice
• Assessment formats include
knowledge-based multiple-
choice tests, structured clinical
examinations, portfolios,
scientic report writing and
competency tests• You will receive continuous
feedback and support as you
move through the programme
Applied Dental Knowledge
The Applied Dental Knowledge Progress
Test (ADK) is one of the features of the
School’s approach to assessment. The
ADK, which is delivered in a multiple-
choice question format is designed
to assess long-term and functional
knowledge rather than detailed and easily
forgotten ‘facts’. It allows you and the
School to monitor your progress and to
compare this with your colleagues as you
move through the programme. As the chart
below shows you will receive a line graph
that plots your progress over the duration
of the BDS programme.
1817
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
01 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Progress Test
P e r c e n t a g e
s c o r e
Mapping Progress in the Applied Dental Knowledge Test
Student score Cohort Mean
One of your regular patients brings her
7 year old daughter for her rst dental
check-up. The child is interested and
co-operative and you are able to carry out
a full examination. Initially you do not see
anything untoward, but, on using the 3
in 1 air spray, you notice a small area of
chalky whiteness adjacent to an occlusal
ssure of a newly erupted upper rst
molar tooth.
Which of the following statements best
explains this observation?
A. This is indicative of bacterial invasion
of enamel
B. There is an increased pore volume
of enamel
C. This reects a drop in pH to pH 6.5 at
the enamel surface
D. There is permanent damage to the
tooth
E. The observed clinical features are
masked by air drying
To nd the correct answer to this
question please go to page 32.
Sample Applied Dental Knowledge (Progress Test) Question
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 18/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
The Dental Education Facility, Tamar Science Park
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 19/32
Special Study Units
Special Study Units (SSU’s) involve
working with providers from the NHS,
University staff and the community and
voluntary sectors, in a wide range of
settings. SSUs provide a challenging and
stimulating way to develop your critical
thinking, as well as your scientic and
analytical skills.
During Year One, the SSU takes place over
a two or three week period and involves
placements within the community.
This will give you the unique experience
of working with key organisations within
the community who help and support
people in a variety of settings, such as
primary, secondary and further education
institutions as well as in community
access centres, youth clubs, rough
sleepers refuge and care homes. You will
be expected to undertake research intoyour allocated organisation, conduct an
informal interview to discover how the
client group access health and well-being
services, and the factors that impact onto
the dental and oral well-being of the
beneciaries. This will provide you with a
wealth of information which will help to
develop understanding and awareness of
how different groups and communities of
interest respond to dental health services.
This may include deeper understanding
of issues or factors that restrict or impactthe accessibility of dental services. You
will submit a written report and reective
summary of your visit, ndings and
impression of the inuencing factors.
For both the Year One and Year Two
Special Study Units you can access a
range of resources from the Community
Development Team who have a wealth
of experience in community development
activities as a result of citywide links and
partnerships. The Community Development
Team support academic and clinical staff
in the development and organisation of
the Years One and Two Special Study Units
and help to make this an interesting andappropriate element of the curriculum.
In Year Two, the SSU period offers you an
opportunity to become more involved with
various sectors of the community, where
you will actually be able to provide advice
on issues ranging from oral health and
uoride application, to the provision of
safety advice and mouth guards to local
sports clubs.
In Year Three, SSUs involve investigation
of a clinical topic of personal interest toyou and critical analysis of the literature.
e-Learning
At all stages of the curriculum, your
learning is supported with on-line systems,
activities and materials including state-of-
the-art multimedia. EMILY is the School’s
web-based Managed Learning Environment
(M.L.E.=EMILY) which provides access
to both your personal space (emails,
timetable, assessment results etc) andsupporting course information, learning
materials and library access.
Staff and student communication across
the School is facilitated and enhanced
using telematics technology which can
link all the School’s sites together. Plenary
lectures, for example, are recorded and
made available on-line for further private
study and revision. Resources such as
electronic journals, encyclopaedias,
interactive on-line learning materials,
formative on-line computer-aided
assessments and discussion forums,whether they are open, private, academic
or social, are all available to students at
any time through the web via EMILY.
Life Sciences
Resource Centre
The LSRC introduces you to, and
develops your knowledge of the
structure and function of the human
body. Your understanding of life sciences
will develop using medical imaging,including radiographic and magnetic
resonance imaging, coupled with the
study of models, living anatomy and
e-based technology. Other life sciences
learning, in physiology, biochemistry and
pharmacology will be supported in a
similar fashion.
19
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 20/32
Campus Locations
Where will I be Based?
Years One and Two of the Bachelor of
Dental Surgery programme are delivered
primarily at Portland Square, situated on
the Plymouth University campus and at
the clinical facilities at Exeter and
Plymouth Devonport. The full range of
Plymouth University facilities are available
to dental students, including the University
Library, Students’ Union and StudentMedical Centre.
The Clinical Dentistry modules within the
programme will be delivered at the clinical
facilities in Truro, Plymouth Derriford,
Plymouth Devonport and Exeter. These
facilities have been designed and built
specically to meet the needs of dental
students and are integrated with local NHS
dental care provision to allow students
to gain experience of both routine and
specialist dental care.
Plymouth Portland Square
Situated on the Plymouth University
campus, a ve minute walk from Plymouth
city centre and the sea, Portland Square is
the main focus for teaching throughout
the programme.
It provides excellent library services, a
Life Sciences Resource Centre, telematic
lecture facilities and a 32 pod Simulated
Dental Learning Environment (SDLE). Thestate-of-the-art SDLE enables students
to learn and experience all aspects of
providing dental care in a safe, controlled
environment where ‘phantom heads’ allow
you to practice and achieve the highest
skill levels before treating patients in the
clinical environment.
Plymouth Derriford
The Dental Education Facility is located
on the Tamar Science Park adjacent to
Derriford Hospital. Opened in September
2011, the Dental Education Facility
provides a progressive clinical space in
which to undertake your clinical duties.
During clinical sessions you are supervised
by highly experienced general dental
practitioners, dental hygienist/therapisttutors as well as clinical academic
staff. You will provide a wide range of
appropriate advice, assessment and
treatment to members of the public of
all ages who book appointments at
the facility.
Plymouth Devonport
Situated close to the city centre and
adjacent to the Tamar Estuary, the Dental
Education Facility at Plymouth Devonporthas 40 student chairs and integrated
teaching facilities.
The Dental Education Facility is located
on the ‘Devonport Health Campus’ which
incorporates a GP surgery, minor injuries
unit, sports centre, children’s centre and
nursery. Opened in June 2009 the Dental
Education Facility provides a progressive
clinical space in which to undertake your
clinical duties. During clinical sessions
you are supervised by highly experienced
general dental practitioners, clinical
academic staff, dental hygienist/therapist
tutors. You will provide a wide range
of appropriate advice, assessment and
treatment to members of the public of
all ages who book appointments at
the facility.
The facility has state-of-the-art dental
equipment, an on-site decontamination
unit and a dental technical laboratory.
Student facilities include a large IT suite,
seminar room and student common room.
Exeter
A short walk from Exeter city centre, the
Royal Devon & Exeter Heavitree Hospital
houses a Dental Education Facility with
16 student chairs and integrated teaching
facilities. At the start of March, in Year
One, students examine, diagnose and
develop a treatment plan and then
provide all hygiene treatment necessary
for patients under the supervision of both
dental practitioners and hygienist tutors.
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
Dental Education Facility, Plymouth Devonport
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 21/32
21
Truro
The Truro Dental Education Facility
is located in the Knowledge Spa, a
substantial joint educational facility with
Plymouth University’s Faculty of Health
Education and Society, situated in the
grounds of the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
The Dental Education Facility houses
32 student chairs and a dental technical
laboratory. There are also appropriateteaching facilities including both Clinical
Skills and Life Sciences Resource
Centres and a Simulated Dental Learning
Environment for use by students and the
local dental profession.
During the third year of study, students
carry out their clinical work in Truro for
half of the academic year and live in
residential accommodation provided by
Plymouth University. Students are expected
to make appropriate arrangements for any
existing domestic responsibilities for this
compulsory element of the programme
delivered in Truro. Working in the Truro
clinical facility enables students to further
develop skills using more complicated
dental techniques. Students will also
experience a wide range of medicine
in dentistry opportunities in the Royal
Cornwall Hospital with NHS colleagues.
Primary Care Trusts
Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are the localbranch of the National Health Service
(NHS) and currently the lead organisation
in their health community. One of their
core roles is to assess the health needs
of people. They then provide clear
guidance and direction to other health
providers, such as acute hospitals or
partners, about what the needs are
and what services they plan to
commission to meet these. They work
closely with GPs and clinicians on this.
Equally important is their role in helping
people to stay healthy by, for example,
promoting stop smoking services.
PCTs in the South West peninsula
include NHS Cornwall and the Isles of
Scilly, NHS Devon, NHS Plymouth and
Torbay Care Trust.
From 2013 the Government is proposing
changes to the NHS which will see groups
of GPs and clinicians playing a greater
role in future commissioning. This means
that from 2013 PCTs will be abolished and
replaced by Clinical Commissioning
Groups and the NHS National
Commissioning Board.
For more information on these changes
please visit the NHS Devon website:
www.devonpct.nhs.uk or the Departmentof Health www.dh.gov.uk
Plymouth Portland Square
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 22/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
Plymouth University Halls of Residence
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 23/32
Accommodation
In Year One, whilst based at Plymouth
University, you have access to student
accommodation, which is available to
all students of the University. You will
be prioritised on the list for a place in a
University hall of residence or University
approved residence, if your application
is received by the due date. Plymouth
University’s Accommodation Ofce also
operates an approved accommodation
scheme for those students seekingprivately rented accommodation.
Plymouth University has a number
of purpose-built self-catering halls of
residence close to the city centre and
offers a comprehensive accommodation
service for all students. There are study
bedrooms suitable for students with
disabilities.
In Year Three you will spend half of the
academic year based at the School’s
Cornwall facility in Truro. While there,accommodation is available at one of
Plymouth University’s Truro residences.
At all other times we help as much
as possible in locating suitable
accommodation. This may be hospital or
university-based or in privately-owned
approved premises.
We want you to feel at home with us. We
understand how important it is for you to
live in good-quality, conveniently-located
accommodation throughout your studies.
Our Student Accommodation Ofce offers
a wide range of places to stay, all within
20 minutes’ walk of the campus and
city centre. The properties we offer have
been visited by our staff and meet our
standards for safety and suitability. We will
be happy to answer your questions andhelp you nd a place that’s right for you.
www.plymouth.ac.uk/accommodation
23
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 24/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 25/32
There are 62 places available for Home/
EU students to study dentistry at the
School and an additional 2 places for
international students in 2013.
All applications must be made through
the Universities and Colleges Admissions
Service (UCAS). All applications for clinical
programmes, must reach UCAS between
1 September 2012 and 15 October 2012.
Applicants should apply to no more thanfour clinical degree programmes.
The remaining choices on the UCAS form
may be used for any alternative course.
The UCAS code for Plymouth University
Peninsula Schools of Medicine and
Dentistry is P60 PLYM.
Course code:
BDS
A206
5 yrs
If you need help or advice on using the
Apply on-line system you should contact
the UCAS Customer Service unit on:
0871 468 0468
Website: www.ucas.com
Deferred Entry
Applicants for deferred entry are welcome.
However, this must be indicated at the
time of application. Deferment is normally
permitted for a maximum of one year only.
Fees and Finance
For current information please go to:
www.plymouth.ac.uk/fees
Admissions
25
2011 Cohort of Dental Students
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 26/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
Direct School Leavers
The entry requirements set out in this
section apply to you if you completed your
GCE A Levels, or equivalent qualications,
within two years of the start of the 2012
application cycle, e.g. qualications
completed since 2010. If you intend to
enrol onto the second year of another
degree programme, you will need to
discuss this with the Admissions Team.
All of the typical offers listed below are
not necessarily the threshold for selection
for interview. The School reserves the right
to use all information on the UCAS form
including evidence of social engagement
and insight into dentistry in the selection
process for interview.
GCE A Level
The typical offer is AAA at GCE A Level
which must include Chemistry and Biology.
A fourth subject must be achieved at a
minimum of grade C at AS Level. General
Studies at A/AS level is not included within
any offer.
GCSEs
Students are required to achieve seven
GCSE passes at grades A-C which must
include English Language, Mathmatics, and
either GCSE Single and Additional Science
or GSCE Biology.
International Baccalaureate
The typical offer is 36-38 points overall
including 6 in both Chemistry and Biologyat the Higher Level.
Applicants offering other qualications
including Scottish qualications, the Welsh
Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma or the
Cambridge Pre-University Diploma are
advised to contact the Admissions Team.
Non Direct School Leavers
If it is more than two years since you
completed your GCE A Levels or equivalent
qualications, if you are a graduate orif you have enrolled onto the second
year of an existing degree programme at
the time of application, then you should
discuss the entry requirements with the
Admissions Team.
All decisions on admissions are subject
to conrmation by the Selection and
Admissions Panel, which is chaired by
the Head of School or his nominee. All
applicants must satisfy both the academic
and non-academic conditions of their offer.
The Head of School reserves the right torefuse admission to any applicant who
fails to sign The Peninsula Dental School
Student Agreement or who fails to meet
the GDC guidelines on student Fitness to
Practise.
For further information please visit:
www.plymouth.ac.uk/peninsula
Entry Requirements
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 27/32
27
Prior to receiving an offer of a place on
the BDS programme, you will be invited to
attend an interview.
The interview attempts to identify whether
a candidate has the personal attributes
required to become a dentist of tomorrow.
We place great value in the following
qualities and we are looking for you to
demonstrate these at your interview.
• Integrity
• Veracity and honesty
• Flexibility
• Motivation and commitment
• Empathy and being non-judgmental
• Communication skills
• Potential for leadership
• Insight into the roles and
responsibilities of a dentist
• The ability to be a team player
• The ability to deal with stress
appropriately
• Problem solving skills• Students who know their limitations,
their strengths and weaknesses
• Reectiveness
• Students who demonstrate a suitable
approach to life and to people
On the day of your interview you will
attend an introductory talk about the
interview selection process. You will
then be asked to complete a written
questionnaire, which aims to investigate
your commitment and motivation to study
dentistry. After this, you will be given three
alternative scenarios to consider, each of
which centres upon a contemporary ethical
issue related to your chosen programme.
You should select one of these as the
basis for your interview.
The interviews follow a structured and
formal process in order to ensure that
every student applying to a particular
programme, is asked the same questions
and receives the same prompts. The
interview should take approximately
20 minutes. It is not a test of dental or
scientic knowledge, but aims to
explore your attitudes, outlook and
way of thinking.
Candidates with specic access
requirements that have not previously
been disclosed on the UCAS form are
encouraged to discuss these with the
Admissions Team prior to the interview.
Please note that candidates are
responsible for the cost of travel to
the interview. All students attending an
interview must bring current photographic
evidence of their identity, normally a valid
passport or a UK Issued Driving Licence
with photo card. If candidates are not able
to provide this, their interview may be
cancelled and we cannot guarantee that it
will be re-scheduled. In this case we will
not reimburse the candidate for the cost
of their travel to the cancelled interview.
Feedback
Feedback is only given directly to
unsuccessful applicants who request it in
writing by letter or by email. Normally, the
feedback provided includes the numerical
score from the interview and the position
of this score in the overall ranking which
determines which students received a
conditional offer of a place of study on
your chosen programme.
Please contact the Admission Team should
you wish to receive feedback on your
application.
Email:
Telephone: +44 (0) 1752 437333
Student Interviews
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 28/32
Practising as a dentist requires the highest
standards and we take seriously our
commitment to enrol and teach only those
students with the professional qualities
required by the General Dental Council.
www.gdc-uk.org
The School seeks to ensure that all
students admitted onto the BDS
programme are t to practise dentistry.
We will not admit onto the BDS degree
programme any individual who, at the
time of entry, is not deemed to be
t to practise under the terms of the
GDC guidance, or who cannot full any
other health or non-academic entry
requirements.
Graduates are entitled to provisional
registration with the GDC with a licence to
practise, subject to demonstrating to the
GDC that their tness to practise is not
impaired.
Dental School Student
Agreement
All students are required to sign a Dental
School Student Agreement as part of the
offer of a place on the BDS programme.
The Student Agreement is a code of
conduct that derives from the General
Dental Council’s statements on the duties
of a dentist as outlined in Standards for
Dental Professionals (2005) and the needs
of a dental student as outlined in the
General Dental Council’s The First
Five Years.
www.gdc-uk.org
The agreement forms a contract between
the School and its students and states
clearly the level of behaviour expected
by the School of its students. Non-
compliance with the Student Agreement
may constitute a tness to practise issue
and may put at risk a student’s continued
enrolment on the BDS programme. A copy
of the Dental School Student Agreement is
available as a download from the School’s
website: www.plymouth.ac.uk/peninsula
Fitness to Practise and
Behaviour
The School seeks to admit onto the
BDS programme students who will show
exemplary behaviour and courtesy toward
patients, teaching staff, other members
of the healthcare team and the wider
community. To become a dentist, it is
essential that you do nothing to diminish
the trust that these groups place in you.
Further information may be found in the
GDC’s publication entitled Maintaining
Standards and in its guidance on
undergraduate dental education contained
in The First Five Years. Both are available
from the GDC website: www.gdc-uk.org
Fitness to Practise and
Health
The School seeks to admit students onto
the BDS programme who are physically
and mentally capable of meeting the
demands placed upon them by a degree in
clinical dentistry and by the professional
duties of a qualied dental practitioner.
We will try, where possible, to put in place
reasonable adjustments to assist students
who have specic health requirements
and challenges, although the nal
determination of admission will be based
on an occupational health assessment.There may, on occasion, be cases where
the School feels it is unable to offer a
place to a student because of signicant
health issues that impact on his or her
tness to practise dentistry.
Before your place on the BDS programme
can be conrmed, you must satisfactorily
complete the Fitness to Practise
assessment, which involves completion of
a pre-course health screening form which
must be signed by your GP. This may also
include a meeting or medical with theSchool’s Health and Well-Being service.
Non-disclosure of a mental or physical
health problem at the admissions stage
that proves to be signicant within the
context of tness to practise, may be
considered a tness to practise issue
by the School. This may lead to the
student concerned being referred to the
School’s Fitness to Practise Committee and
possibly to a requirement that the student
concerned withdraw from the programme
of study.
Criminal Records Bureau
Enhanced Disclosure (CRB)
All offers are conditional upon applicants
completing an enhanced disclosure check
via the Criminal Records Bureau. We will
review all signicant reports of candidates’
convictions, cautions and verbal warnings
and decide on a candidate’s suitability
to enter the BDS degree programme. In
addition, failure to declare a conviction
may result in the student being referred to
the School’s Fitness to Practise Committee,
and possibly, a requirement that thestudent concerned withdraw from the
programme of study.
Blood Borne Viral Infections
– Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C
and HIV
All prospective dental students are
required to provide evidence that they
are free of infection from Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C and HIV before enrolment onto the BDS programme. This is necessary
to protect both dental students and their
patients against the risk of transmission of
infection in the healthcare setting. We will
make arrangements for mandatory blood
tests to be taken for all students in receipt
of a conditional offer of a place on the
BDS programme, in order to demonstrate
freedom from infection from Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C and HIV. These mandatory
blood tests form part of the conditional
offer for all applicants. Screening for
tuberculosis will be addressed separatelyupon enrolment on the BDS programme.
We will also require all students to be
immunised against Hepatitis B prior to
commencing work with patients. Students
will NOT be able to progress to clinical
Student Conduct & Fitness to Practise
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 29/32
work with patients until they have
completed their Hepatitis B immunisation
programme.
Our approach to health screening is
informed by Best Practice Guidance (2007)
from the Department of Health and is
consistent with professional obligations
placed on dental practitioners by the
General Dental Council.
www.gdc-uk.org
Disability
The School is committed to meeting the
needs of students with disabilities and
recognises that they are an integral part
of the academic community, which we
strive to make as inclusive as possible.
The School will need to consider the
impact of a disability on an applicant’s
tness to practise dentistry because ithas a special responsibility to ensure that
all students admitted to the BDS course
will be eligible for registration by the
General Dental Council on graduation.
We are committed to ensuring that
all applicants who are judged to be
academically suitable are neither treated
less favourably nor placed at a substantial
disadvantage on the grounds of their
disability. If you consider that you have a
disability, you should tick the relevant box
on the UCAS form. Disclosing a disability
on your UCAS application form will not
affect the screening of your application
or indeed inuence the decision to invite
you to interview. If an offer is made,
the School will seek advice from the
University’s Disability Assist and the Health
& Well-Being Service, so that the type
of assistance needed to enable you to
successfully follow the BDS programme
can be assessed in more detail.
There are rare occasions when,
following professional assessment of a disability, a student’s suitability for
admission may be affected. The School
takes a positive view and tries to meet
the needs of students with disabilities
by making, where possible, reasonable
adjustments to such students’ programmes
of study.
If you would like to discuss this further or
would like general advice and information
about the support for students with a
disability, or a specic learning need,
please contact:
Disability Assist
(Plymouth University)
www.plymouth.ac.uk/disability
Telephone: +44 (0) 1752 587676
29
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 30/32
Dentistry Undergraduate Prospectus 2013
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 31/32
The best way of nding out whether
you would like to study at Plymouth
University Peninsula Schools of Medicine
and Dentistry is to attend one of our
Open Days.
We will be running an Open Day on 8th
September 2012. 2013
2013 Open Days will be held on Saturday
20th April and Saturday 1st June.
Further details and how to apply can befound on our website www.plymouth.
ac.uk/peninsula
At the Open Days you will have the
opportunity to visit the Plymouth
University campus, meet the staff of
the School and nd out more about
the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree
programme. You have the opportunity to
get involved in interactive activities with
Simulated Dental Learning Environment
and Life Science Resource Centre staff
as well as a demonstration of EnquiryBased Learning.
To reserve a place at one of the Schools’
Open Days, contact the Admissions Team
by phone, on-line or by post.
Plymouth University Peninsula Schools
of Medicine and Dentistry
The John Bull Building
Tamar Science Park
Research Way
Plymouth
PL6 8BU
Reserve your place on-line at:
http://openday.pcmd.ac.uk
Telephone: 01752 437333
Fax: 01752 517842
Email:
University Open Days
In addition Plymouth University holds
general Open Days where the School is
represented. At the University Open Days,
you will have the opportunity to talk to
Admissions staff. However there are no
interactive elements at these events. The
University Open Day will take place on:
Saturday 19 October 2012
Open Days
31*The answer to the Sample Applied Dental Knowledge (Progress Test) question is: ‘B’
7/29/2019 Plymouth Dentistry Prospectus
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/plymouth-dentistry-prospectus 32/32
Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of
Medicine and Dentistry
The John Bull Building
Tamar Science Park
Research Way
Plymouth
PL6 8BU
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +44 (0) 1752 437333
Fax: +44 (0) 1752 517842
Website: www.plymouth.ac.uk/peninsula