Course summary

In December 2024, the University of Bolton was granted permission by the Office for Students (OfS) to change its name to the University of Greater Manchester with immediate effect. While we work to update our systems, you may see both names used in the information we provide. This MSc is designed to equip dentists with advanced skills in periodontal care and implantology. It combines theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical training, enabling students to manage complex cases effectively. The curriculum emphasises both the placement and long-term management of dental implants, including strategies for addressing peri-implantitis, incorporating disciplines like 3D imaging and occlusal diagnosis. The MSc in Periodontology and Implantology enables dentists to navigate the complexities of periodontal care and implantology competently. It not only enhances clinical skills but also prepares practitioners to meet the multifaceted restorative needs of periodontally compromised patients effectively. A key challenge faced by clinicians is the intersection between extensive restorative rehabilitation and underlying periodontal disease. Patients presenting with both concerns require a holistic approach that emphasizes integrated care to ensure the long-term success of dental treatments especially dental implants. By addressing periodontal conditions concurrently with restorative procedures, dental professionals can achieve more long term outcomes and enhance overall patient satisfaction. The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates various essential elements of periodontology, with a particular focus on the effective management of soft tissues for aesthetic restorations and the nuanced treatment of peri-implantitis, a significant concern in contemporary dental practice. The programme is structured to incorporate cutting-edge digital technologies and innovative treatment modalities. Students will gain practical experience with these technologies, empowering them to adopt evidence-based practices that not only elevate the quality of care but also ensure patient safety. The curriculum also fosters a strong ethical foundation, teaching students the principles of providing safe, effective, and patient-centred care. Graduates will be equipped to manage complex restorative cases with significant periodontal components confidently. They will also possess the skills necessary to handle implantology procedures comprehensively, extending beyond the placement of implants to encompass their maintenance and the management of complications such as peri-implantitis. The programme has been carefully planned to ensure that modules provide a scaffolded approach to learning, with earlier modules underpinning later ones and the contents of one module complementing another taught in the academic year. For example, after having spent 90 hours in the 1st semester doing practical work in the Dental Manikins’ Dental Skills Laboratory simulating the clinical environment, you will enter the clinical training environment and begin working with patients. Apart from the well-established, in academia, written assessments (exams, reports, etc.), this Programme includes other more contemporary types of assessment, that are also being used by other organisations, like the Royal College of Surgeons and the General Dental Council (GDC). The broad range of assessment types in the Programme aims at consolidating your learning. Some such assessments’ type examples include Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), professional discussions, etc.