Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Dental Specialties) MSc

This programme is designed for dentists who wish to advance their knowledge of this clinical specialty at a postgraduate level. There are three components: Research Methods and Biostatistics; Specialist Clinical Component; and a Research Component.

The aim of the Research Methods and Biostatistics components is to enable students to become competent in the design, data collection, and simple analysis and interpretation of clinical research projects.

The aim of the Specialist Clinical Component is to give students an understanding of the scientific basis of oral and maxillofacial surgery with particular emphasis on current theories relevant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management of patients. The evidence base supporting clinical surgical practice is emphasised.

The Specialist Clinical Component permits observation of a wide range of surgery including facial trauma, implant and reconstructive, cancer and reconstructive, salivary gland and orthognathic surgery, as well as participation in dentoalveolar surgery.

The aim of the Research Component is to offer research training in identification, formulation and implementation of a specific research project. The research project is in line with the research themes of control of pain and anxiety or surgical implantology or oral cancer and health services research.

The core text book for the course is provided. This book, Master Dentistry Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radiology, Pathology and Oral Medicine (ISBN 0443061920), has been produced by School of Dentistry staff: Coulthard, Horner, Sloan and Theaker.

The programme aims to provide dental practitioners with the knowledge and skills to undertake minor oral surgery in the context of a wider knowledge of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The aims of the course elements are:

• Research Methods Component: The aim is to equip students with skills related to design, execution and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research
• Biostatistics Component: The aim is to equip students with skills related to data collection, simple analysis and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research
• Research Component: To train students in the identification, formulation and implementation of a specific research project and to give students experience of working independently. Students will be encouraged to undertake an evidence-based approach to their project

The Specialist Clinical component consists of the following modules:

• Surgical Basic Sciences (Basic surgical science, preoperative and postoperative care) and Patient Care (Assessing patients, medical aspects of patient care and control of pain and anxiety)
• Reflective Oral Surgery Practices
• Dental Tissues (Infections and inflammation of the teeth and jaws, removal of teeth and surgical implantology)
• Bone: Disease and Injury (Diseases of bone and the maxillary sinus, oral and maxillofacial injuries)
• Soft Tissues (Cysts, mucosal disease, premalignancy and malignancy)
• Salivary Tissue, Pain and TMJ (Salivary gland disease, facial pain and disorders of the temporomandibular joint)

The MSc includes a research project and dissertation.

Dissertation

Examples of dissertations submitted include:

• A systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials comparing the adverse effects of articaine and lidocaine as local anaesthetic agents
• A systematic review of the side effects of inhalation conscious sedation
• Implant survival with different numbers of dental implants in the mandibular implant over denture: A retrospective cohort study
• National use of conscious sedation in dentistry
• Evaluation of pain in paediatric patients undergoing oral surgery

The course will be hosting virtual online open days throughout the year, enabling registered users to ask questions about the course and have a live interactive chat with the Course Director.

To register interest to take part in an open day, (first come first served basis) please email: donna.bailey@manchester.ac.uk