MSc (Clin) Orthodontics / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Our three-year MSc (Clin) Orthodontics course combines the taught elements and research of an MSc degree with mandatory clinical training to enable you to develop the practical skills and knowledge you need to carry out contemporary orthodontic treatment techniques.

You will learn about the theory behind orthodontics through small group sessions, seminars, practical skills training, online learning and student-led enhancement sessions.

The clinical training part of the course involves attendance at clinics at the University and associated hospital trusts. During this time, you will provide treatment for approximately 150 carefully selected patients with severe malocclusions under direct supervision of consultant orthodontists.

You will also undergo training in research methods and biostatistics to help you plan and implement the research project that will form the basis of your dissertation, receiving guidance from highly experienced researchers in the process.

The research topic will examine an issue of relevance to your future work and will also provide the basis for a refereed publication.

Successfully completing this MSc (Clin) course will make you eligible to sit the Royal College of Surgeons exams for Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth).

Aims

The aim of the taught clinical component is to give you an understanding of the scientific basis of orthodontics. There is a particular emphasis on current thinking relevant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management of patients.

Teaching and learning

Teaching will include tutorials, seminars and clinical demonstrations. You are encouraged to attend other relevant seminars in other clinical disciplines to gain a broad perspective of orthodontics.

Instruction will also be given in clinical and laboratory aspects of orthodontics. These will take the form of demonstrations, seminars and practical laboratory exercises.

Clinical training involves attendance in clinics at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester and affiliated hospitals including Lancaster, Bury, Blackburn, Hope, Tameside, Chester, Stockport, Wythenshawe and North Manchester General. Attendance at clinics is mandatory.

You will treat a personal cohort of at least 100 patients, their care being supervised by named specialists. These cases will include the most complex malocclusions together with orthognathic and hypodontia needs.

You will be instructed in the use of the Straightwire technique, temporary anchorage devises, Lingual appliances and aligner systems.

Participation in journal clubs, local and regional audit meetings and mandatory training as directed by your training hospital and supervising clinicians is expected.

One day each week is devoted to academic teaching and practical demonstrations with typodonts.

Key academic staff

Coursework and assessment

  • Research Methods Unit: Formal assessment takes the form of two tutor marked assignments and participation in specified online group activities.
  • Biostatistics Unit:  Formal assessment takes the form of two tutor marked assignments
  • Clinical Unit: The clinical component is assessed by a structured oral and written examinations, MCQ paper, and structured oral presentation.
  • Dissertation (Year 3) .

Course unit details

There are four main components to this course.

Research Methods Component (15 credits): Training in skills related to design, execution and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research.

Biostatistics component (15 credits):  Training in skills related to data collection, simple analysis and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research.

Specialist Clinical Component: Gain an understanding of the scientific basis of orthodontics, with particular emphasis on current theories relevant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management of adult patients.

The Specialist Clinical Component encompasses the following:

  • Core lectures to include:
    • Medical emergency management
    • Cross infection control
    • Radiological protection
    • Clinical governance
  • Interactive seminars related to orthodontics
  • Pre-clinical skills course
  • Attend consultation clinics
  • Case reviews
  • Participation in journal clubs

Please note that this course also provides instruction in aligner systems and lingual appliances.

Dissertation component : Research training in the identification, formulation and implementation of a specific research project.

Course content for Year 1
  • Research Methods and Biostatistics course
  • Communications course
  • Clinical treatment and consultation sessions (at University of Manchester Dental Hospital and affiliated District General Hospitals)
  • Clinical Skills teaching
  • Seminars
  • Northern Universities Consortium courses
  • Research Project
Course content for Year 2

You will undergo continued clinical training as the specialist registrars' cohort of patients move through their treatment (at University of Manchester Dental Hospital and affiliated District General Hospitals).

Also featured in this year:

  • Clinical Skills teaching
  • Seminars
  • Northern Universities Consortium courses
  • Research Project
Course content for Year 3

You will undergo continued clinical training dependent on the continuing care of patients under treatment started in Year 1 (at University of Manchester Dental Hospital and affiliated District General Hospitals).

Also featured in this year:

  • Advanced Orthodontics and Revision course
  • Northern Universities Consortium courses
  • Research Project

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
MSc Dissertation DENT60020 60 Mandatory
Basic Orthodontic Diagnosis DENT60050 15 Mandatory
Orthodontic Principles DENT60051 15 Mandatory
Reflective Orthodontic Practice DENT60052 30 Mandatory
Applied Principles in Orthodontics DENT60053 30 Mandatory
Research Methods DENT61010 15 Mandatory
Biostatistics DENT70001 15 Mandatory

Scholarships and bursaries

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Facilities

You will have access to dedicated postgraduate suites. You will also be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .

CPD opportunities

We will invite you to participate in a number of conferences and courses. Some selected seminars will also provide you with CPD hours.