In Year 2 you build on your foundations with common dental problems, as well as disease mechanisms being considered in much greater depth. Year 2 will see you develop your clinical skills up to your full scope of practice, then applying what you have learnt to the realities of primary care dental practice. This includes furthering your knowledge in paediatric dentistry and attending clinical sessions dedicated to the treatment of children.
You’ll also be expected to undertake additional clinic skills training in basic life support in the Clinical Skills Resource Centre.
They’ll also be a strong emphasis on developing your professionalism and communication skills, through continuous critical and reflective practice, as well as taking part in a community based inter-professional engagement project.
In a typical week, as part of a blended learning approach you may be expected to attend:
- plenaries and lectures; whole group sessions delivered by experts to signpost, support and build on your self-directed study
- small group enquiry case-based learning
- two days clinical work treating primary care patients
- workshops and simulated dental learning experience on phantom heads
- interactive life sciences practical sessions studying biomedical sciences.
As you progress through the programme your clinical activity will increase and you’ll gain extensive exposure to patients who will display a variety of oral diseases, as well as systemic conditions. This will underpin the development of your clinical skills and allow you to think and perform safely in the clinical environment.