The first students from a pioneering MSc/PG Dip in Clinical Restorative Cosmetic Dentistry have graduated from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
The course, which is offered to high street dentists on a flexible, part time basis offers a mix of theoretical and practical skills appropriate to modern dental care delivery and the development of restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
One of the students to graduate from the course is Dr Usman Ali of MJ Kenyon Dental Surgeons, Lytham, Lancashire. He’d originally entered the dental profession ten years ago having gained his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) qualification.
“After a few years in practice I noticed a lot of patents were starting to enquire about the cosmetic side of dentistry. It’s an area that really interests me so when I saw the UCLan course advertised on my doorstep I thought I’d investigate further.”
“I was a little apprehensive about returning to study after such a long time in practice but I needn’t have worried,” continued Dr Ali. “Once I saw the top notch dentistry facilities at UCLan I knew I’d made the right decision. The lecturing staff have been so supportive. They are all practising dentists which means that they augment academic study by passing on practical tips. Like myself, the other students on the course were all working in the profession and this helped us to support and learn from each other.
“The course has enabled me to take on more responsibility at my dental practice and a couple of my work colleagues are now looking to follow in my footsteps.”
Professor StJohn Crean, Director of Dental Research and Knowledge Transfer and Head of UCLan’s Institute of Post Graduate Dental Education, said “We are delighted that Dr Ali is among the first cohort of students to graduate from this pioneering course, enabling him to progress his own clinical skills and scope of practice within restorative and cosmetic dentistry while gaining a wider and more satisfying professional profile.”
Professor Crean added: “Our focus as an Institute is on Continuing Professional Development, allowing General Dental Practitioners the opportunity to further their skills and education in their chosen area of interest, whilst maintaining their clinical practice.”
Since its establishment in 2006, the Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education at UCLan has provided a range of educational opportunities which increase the skills, knowledge and professionalism of primary dental professionals. The Institute works in conjunction with governing dental bodies, ensuring that the curriculum offered facilitates transferable skill development.
The Institute has developed a broad portfolio of educational programmes but core activity is the part-time Masters course, with awards at Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma levels. UCLan’s commitment to encouraging postgraduates to engage with the Masters year underpins its philosophy of increasing the primary dental care research base and encouraging primary care based practitioners to lead in research activity.
