Dental Therapy

**Course Overview**

- Dental therapists play an increasingly important role in the delivery of primary care dentistry. The structure of this course is exciting and innovative in that it is integrated with both the BDS Dentistry and the BSc (Hons) Clinical Dental Technology courses.

- There is a great emphasis on clinical experience and initially you will be based in our purpose-built Dental School in Preston developing clinical skills and supporting knowledge, as well as an understanding of how the human body works in health and disease. You will have the opportunity to work with actors to develop your communication skills.

- Towards the end of the first year, you will go to one of the four primary care Dental Education Centres (DECs). The DECs are clinical training centres where you’ll treat patients, under supervision, and gain first-hand experience within the communities you are most likely to serve after graduation.

- The DECs are based locally within the community, and have been equipped with brand new surgeries, and study facilities dedicated to student teaching. In Years 2 and 3 you will continue to spend your time at the DEC, putting your learning into practice by treating patients. In Year 3 you will gain additional clinical experience at an Enhanced Training Practice.

**Why study with us**

- Dentistry at the University ranked 2nd in the UK and 1st in England for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2021).

- You’ll be taught alongside both BDS and Clinical Dental Technician students, allowing you to train as you will practice in the future, as part of the whole dental team.

- You’ll have the opportunity to gain early patient contact during your studies.

**Further Information**

- As a Dental Therapy student, you will learn clinical skills in one of the most modern phantom head rooms in Europe, equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. We employ a number of teaching methods to ensure you learn the various aspects of therapy. There is a great emphasis on clinical experience and initially you will work on simulators in phantom head to develop clinical skills. You will also work with actors in order to develop your communications skills.

- In the first year of the programme you’ll be based in the Dental School at Preston. The course focuses on developing clinical skills and supporting knowledge as well as being a professional. Towards the end of the first year, you will go to one of the four Dental Education Centre’s Centres (DECs) located in Accrington, Blackpool, Carlisle and Morecambe Bay. The DECs are based locally within the community, have been equipped with brand new surgeries, tutorial and study facilities dedicated for student teaching. In Years 2 and 3 you will continue to spend your time at the DEC putting your skills into practice by treating patients, returning to Preston for some lectures and education.

- The University and the DECs are linked via IT for learning and teaching, with individual student access to the relevant intranets.

**Human Anatomy and Resource Learning Centre (HARLC)**

- An understanding of anatomy is essential for dental professionals. HARLC is the focus for you to learn about the workings of the human body, particularly the head and neck region. The resources in the centre include anatomical models, guides and videos of professional dissections. You will have access to the centre from 7.30am until 8.00pm. By using the resources in the HARLC we aim to give you the ability to learn anatomy, which you can apply to your clinical practice.