Professional Doctorate in Dental Science - (DDSc)

 

 What is a professional doctorate? 

Professional doctorates make up a small but significant proportion of the doctoral qualifications currently on offer in the UK. Professional doctorates contain taught elements with significant lecture and seminar content, but final award of the doctorate is based on a supervised research project normally located within the candidate's profession and assessed through submission of a thesis. The criteria for the research project assessment is similar to a PhD.

For further information from The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education regarding professional doctorate degrees please see DDSc Doctoral Degree Characteristics and DDSc Qualifications Framework.

  The School of Dentistry offers the following DDSc professional doctorate degrees:

  • Doctor of Orthodontic Dentistry

 

Professional degrees for clinicians

These programmes are designed for clinical professionals. As with any other research degree, you will, with the advice and guidance of your personal supervisors, produce a piece of original research. The difference is that your research will be informed by your own area of expertise and will usually seek to develop understanding that contributes to professional excellence and greater knowledge in your clinical specialism. 

“My main aim coming to Liverpool was to join a program that would challenge and bring out the best in me. The clinical
experiences that I have gained in this research rich environment was more than I could ever asked for! Now it’s time to take what I have learnt and make a difference.”

Salman Sarkhouh, DDSc Orthodontics

 DDSc Student Orthodontics 

International recognition

The UK professional doctorate is an internationally recognised and respected academic qualification. Our DDSc students come from inside and outside the European Union. A higher degree from a Russell Group university like the University of Liverpool is recognised for its quality and valued by employers worldwide.

 

Career Opportunities for DDSc graduates consist of:

  • Specialist Endodontic / Orthodontic / Paediatric Dentistry Practice/ Special Care Dentistry
  • Specialist in Community Dental Service
  • Hospital Consultant
  • Hospital Specialist
  • Clinical academics such as Clinical Lecturer, Senior Clinical Lecturer and Professor

  

Professional Doctorate and Specialist Training

The Professional Doctorate is a qualification that contains Professional Skills Training. Students who successfully complete the DDSc programme in the relevant subject area and will be awarded the DDSc (Endodontic / Orthodontic / Paediatric Dentistry Practice/ Special Care Dentistry) from the University of Liverpool. GDC Specialist Curricula and the Royal Colleges membership examination are mapped and embedded into the DDSc programme. This allow our students to sit the Royal Colleges exams and obtain both the Professional Doctorate and Royal College Membership.  

 

Obyda Essam DDSc Endodontics

“The Endodontics DDSc programme has been an excellent pathway for me to specialise in endodontics. The training programme provided extensive clinical, academic and research experience at a modern, cutting-edge level. The intensive clinical training was always under close supervision and had a multidisciplinary approach. The interactive teaching was inspiring and helped develop my communication and critical appraisal skills. Overall, an excellent experience.”

Obyda Essam, DDSc Endodontics