Oral Surgery MSc

Program Overview

The University of Leeds' MSc in Oral Surgery offers a comprehensive approach to clinical oral surgery, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care. Through a combination of lectures, simulations, patient-facing clinics, and research, students develop expertise in surgery, medical emergencies, and evidence-based practice. Graduates are prepared for advanced clinical roles, including specialist teaching, NHS training, and independent practice.

Program Outline

Oral Surgery MSc | University of Leeds

Degree Overview:

The Master of Science in Oral Surgery at the University of Leeds offers a unique and highly relevant approach to clinical oral surgery. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality, safe, and effective clinical care, grounded in the latest clinical evidence.

Objectives:

• Develop the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality, safe, and effective clinical care, based on the latest clinical evidence.
• Gain a deep understanding of the principles of clinical governance, including clinical audit.
• Enhance understanding of research methods and interpretation of research data.
• Develop the ability to produce independent research dissertations.
• Gain experience in applying service improvement methods.

Outline:

The program is delivered full-time over 12 months, running from September to July. It is divided into three sections:

Clinical Oral Surgery:

This section runs throughout the entire course and includes key modules:

• Clinical Practice of Oral Surgery:
This module establishes the scientific basis of modern clinical oral surgery and the development of clinical guidelines. It focuses on the aetiology, prevention, and management of surgical complications, as well as the safe provision of oral surgery for patients with medical co-morbidities. Students develop clinical and diagnostic skills for effective patient management.
• Dental Radiology: This module provides a comprehensive overview of ionising radiation regulations in the UK and their application in practice.
It explores the use of 2D and 3D imaging modalities employed in the dental and maxillofacial region, including digital radiography, Cone Beam CT, and MRI, and their use in diagnosing common pathologies.
• Medical Emergencies: This module prepares students for managing medical emergencies in the dental setting.
It combines theory and practice through interactive, multi-modal delivery methods to ensure skill transfer to the clinical setting.

Audit and Service Improvement:

This section includes a service provision report and a clinical audit project undertaken in clinics. The service improvement report allows students to examine an aspect of a clinical service in detail and consider how it might be improved.

Research:

This section equips students with the skills to understand and appraise research developments. It includes modules on:

• Research Methods, Ethics, and Statistics:
This module provides the basic skills for conducting a scientific research project, including project management, literature searching, reviewing evidence, academic writing, understanding ethical issues and safety, and data analysis using appropriate statistical methods.
• Individual Project: This module involves the preparation of an individual project leading to a written dissertation, providing practical experience in independent research.
Students agree and undertake an individual project, which may be a capstone project or a traditional research project. This deepens their understanding of research philosophy, including literature review, methodology, ethics, ethical approval, and good clinical and research practice.

Assessment:

Assessments are designed to be authentic and reflect the skills required to be an effective clinician and oral surgeon at a masterly level. Assessment methods include:

• Written assessments: Short Answer Questions, a dissertation of the student's choice, and reflective clinical logs.
• Verbal communication: Assignments, class debates, clinical reports, and case presentations.
• Clinical teaching: Reflection and feedback from tutors, peers, and patients, which contribute to the clinical log, along with a record of surgical and learning experiences.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Simulated and patient-facing clinics
• Collaborative work
• Scenario-based learning
• E-learning
Digital technology is used in learning and teaching through the University's virtual learning environment, MINERVA. This provides access to teaching materials, online library facilities, help with preparing presentations and assignments, and research. Active learning is encouraged throughout the program. Students are taught alongside students from different countries, providing opportunities for cultural exchange and sharing experiences. The School of Dentistry is the only Dental Hospital in West Yorkshire, serving a multicultural and diverse population. This diversity is reflected in the patient population, staff, and student body. The MSc in Oral Surgery has enrolled students from the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. Students have opportunities to influence school processes and decisions through representation on various committees. Collaborative work is an important part of the teaching program, encouraging students to work and interact with their classmates and develop teamwork skills. Students are taught by specialists in maxillofacial and oral surgery with extensive clinical experience. They may also be taught by industry professionals, postgraduate researchers, and expert academics, connecting them to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Careers:

The program builds clinical experience and confidence in oral surgery, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to advance their clinical careers. Graduates are better equipped to critically appraise published research and professional guidelines, underpinning evidence-based practice. Career choices upon completion of the program are influenced by previous knowledge, experience in the field, and the student's active approach to learning. Registration with regulatory bodies, such as the UK General Dental Council, also affects career options. Upon successful completion, the program does not provide eligibility to register with the GDC UK as a dental care professional or as a specialist in Oral Surgery. Alumni of the program have gone on to:

• Develop their own independent oral surgery practice.
• Progress in specialist teaching posts.
• Progress into NHS Core Training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Other:

• The University of Leeds provides a range of career support services to help students plan their careers and make informed decisions.
• The program includes hands-on experience of delivering clinical treatment.
• Students have access to a dedicated postgraduate study room with IT and social facilities.
• The program emphasizes clinical simulation before treating patients.
• Students learn the principles of soft and hard tissue management on "phantom head" models.
• The program includes fieldwork details, such as observation of activity in clinics and operating theaters.