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Paediatric Dentistry

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Apply for this course

The deadline for UK students to apply for this course for entry in 2024 was 31 January 2024.

The deadline for international students was 31 January 2024.

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What you'll need

As part of the application process, you'll need to submit:

  • School or college transcripts/certificates
  • University transcripts and certified translations if applicable
  • Degree certificates
  • Personal statement outlining your learning ambitions

Our application process

  • Sign into our online portal, Apply Yourself, and start your application
  • Submit your application
  • We'll email you to let you know we're processing your application
  • Track the progress of your application using the Postgraduate Application Tracker (we'll send you a link to the tracker)
  • We'll email you when a decision has been made
  • If you've been made an offer, you can then accept or decline it using the Postgraduate Application Tracker.

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Related courses

There are two courses related to Paediatric Dentistry that you might be interested in.

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Doctor of Dental Science

A Doctor of Dental Science (DDSc) is a professional doctorate awarded in dental science.

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Course overview

This programme fulfils the need for dental practitioners to have access to a higher dental degree which provides specialist clinical training in Paediatric Dentistry.

Introduction

The Professional Doctorate is a research qualification that contains Professional Skills Training. Students who successfully complete the DDSc programme in Paediatric Dentistry will be awarded the DDSc (Paediatric Dentistry) from the University of Liverpool and will be eligible to sit the Tri-collegiate Diploma of Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (MPaedDent) specialty membership examination from the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Both the UK Specialist Curriculum in Paediatric Dentistry and the Tri-collegiate Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh blueprints in Paediatric Dentistry are embedded into the programme.

Funded specialist trainee appointments are competitively available to appropriately qualified candidates on this programme with application through the national recruitment process.

Who is this course for?

This course is for graduates who already have a degree in Dental Surgery who are looking to specialise in Paediatric Dentistry.

What you'll learn

  • Research methods
  • Clinical research investigations
  • Assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning in paediatric dentistry
  • Knowledge and skills to manage children with appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological behaviour management techniques
  • Understanding of paediatric dentistry practice through holistic management of children with complex medical and dental needs.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

The DDSc is a 3-year full time Doctorate programme comprising 540 credits. The programme has 180 credits in year one mostly at master’s level and 360 credits in years two and three at doctorate level.

All modules are mandatory (i.e. must be passed, and make up the taught, clinical and research components of the programme).

The programme consists of 5 core modules and 4 speciality specific modules.

Compulsory modules

RESEARCH METHODS ONLINE (15 CREDITS) (CDEN207)

Credits: 15 / Semester: whole session

This module will provide students with insight to the overarching strategy and process involved in the application of research to their professional field. The module will be delivered wholly online and supported by interactive eLectures/audio-visual presentations, quizzes and case based interactive discussion boards. For the final assessment, students will be required to p roduce a plan for a research project. The assessment will be school specific and examples will include: experimental design; research design; grant application; ethics application etc. Each assigment must include a full plan of the research including a discussion of any ethics, propsed data collection and analysis and include a justification of the proposed methodologies including any statistics. ​Successful students will be able to understand and appropriately implement all elements of ‘the research journey’ from conception of an idea, through development/approval, execution, analysis, application and dissemination of such work.

COMMUNICATION, HEALTH PROMOTION AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE (CDEN233)

Credits: 15 / Semester: continuing professional development,whole session

To understand Health Service structures and clinical governance and effectively communicate with the dental team.

Research Protocol (CDEN299)

Credits: 60 / Semester: research session

To produce a postgraduate capable of the general ability to design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of professional practice, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems

ASSESSMENT , DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING IN PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY (CDEN261)

Credits: 30 / Semester: whole session

​CDEN261 is a 30 credit Paediatric Dentistry pathway module which is part of the DDSc programme. This module provides students with the underpinning knowledge and skills required to practice Paediatric Dentistry at level 7. It is one of two foundation modules required in the Paediatric Dentistry pathway.​

The module will allow the students to gain cognitive, psychomotor and interpersonal skills in the diagnosis, treatment planning and provision of core clinical practice in Paediatric Dentistry. The module is mapped to the GDC learning outcomes for specialist training in Paediatric Dentistry.   

CDEN261 will be taught within the School of Dentistry and supervised clinical teaching will be delivered in the Paediatric Dentistry department of the Liverpool University Dental Hospital. This will involve assessing children with age ranges between 0 to 16 on new patient clinics, leading to formulating a diagnosis, recognising the effect of child physical, behavioural and cognitive development on their ability to accept dental treatment and devising treatment plans including those that may be delivered under sedation and general anaesthesia.

Students are expected to complete independent reading in preparation for regular seminars/tutorials held throughout the module. The students will participate in discussions around the current evidence-base in the literature. It would be expected that supplementary resources found by students would be critically appraised and discussed as appropriate to the module content and best practice in Paediatric Dentistry.

A range of assessment strategies will be used to assess the learning outcomes. The assessment strategies are based on the Paediatric Dentistry GDC curriculum including continuous work based assessment and personal development portfolio and two end of module summative examinations consisting of a written examination and a structured clinical examination.

DENTAL MANAGEMENT OF THE ANXIOUS CHILD (CDEN262)

Credits: 60 / Semester: whole session

This is a 60 credit module that will be available for the DDSc in Dental Science programme Paediatric Dentistry pathway.

The module will provide students with the additional skills, knowledge and training required to manage children with different behavioural and dental needs using both non-pharmacological and pharmacological behaviour management techniques. 

This module will enable the student to acquire cognitive, psychomotor and interpersonal skills to assess, treatment plan and provide core clinical practice using behaviour, cognitive management strategies and conscious sedation to meet the needs of paediatric patients in addition to providing treatment under general anaesthesia.   

The module will be taught within the School of Dentistry with supervised clinical teaching delivered in the Paediatric Dentistry department of the Liverpool University Dental Hospital. This module will involve providing a range of clinical procedures for a wide range of paediatric patients. 

There will be structured teaching, seminars, practical classes, chairside teaching, case based learning and project work in the form of audits, case reports and essays. The students will be undertaking self-directed learning to enhance the module programme and will attend verified external courses provided by specialist society conferences in a variety of Paediatric Dentistry topics. 

The syllabus meets the core requirements for the specialty training programme and the Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care by the Report of the Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry. The dental faculties of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons and the Royal College of Anaesthetists. (IASCD 2015).​

A variety of assessments will be used in the module. These will be mapped to the relevant curricula including continuous work based assessments, use of a personal development portfolio and a logbook. There will be a summative examination at the end of each module consisting of a written examination and a structured clinical examination. Students will record their learning, clinical placements, assessments and reflections using a secure on-line National Portfolio (Intercollegiate Surgical Competence Progression (ISCP)). For students with a National Training Number (NTN), the ISCP portfolio will support assessment through the Annual Review of Competence Programme (ARCP).   https://www.iscp.ac.uk/static/dental/PaedAppendix.pdf​​

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Your experience

The School of Dentistry recently saw a £6m investment programme, which has dramatically upgraded our teaching and research facilities and created additional postgraduate places.

The Paediatric Dentistry department in Liverpool is a well-known referral centre in the region for specialist paediatric dentistry. We have a dedicated area to deliver inhalation and intravenous sedation in addition to an in-house general anaesthetic suite.

As a well-recognised national dental trauma centre, we have fully equipped endodontic units with a dental microscope and advanced endodontic equipment, to facilitate endodontic treatment in children. We have strong links with the dental department and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in medical and surgical specialties. We also have close working relationships with other dental specialties within the Royal Liverpool Dental Hospital.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

An exciting place to study

  • One of the largest dental schools in the UK
  • State-of-the-art facilities with £6million recent investment
  • Provides specialist clinical training with taught and research components
  • Internationally recognised qualifications with a wide range of programmes
  • Committed to technologically innovative teaching
  • Active research environment.

Careers and employability

Career planning

Three career coaches standing outside the Careers Studio

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.

From education to employment

Two graduates in postgraduate robes.

We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.

Networking events

Postgraduate students hold a discussion while sat round a table in in the Liverpool Guild of Students.

You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.

Your future

Potential career pathways include, but are not limited to, the roles of:

  • Specialist in paediatric dental practice
  • Specialist in community dental service
  • Hospital Specialist
  • Hospital Consultant
  • Clinical academic such as Clinical Lecturer, Senior Clinical Lecturer and Professor.

Graduates from this course have gone on to work in specialist private practices, as clinical academics or a combination of both.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

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Postgraduate Global Advancement Scholarship

  • International students

If you’re a new international student starting this course with us from September 2024, you could be eligible to receive a discount of up to £5,000 off your tuition fees.

This includes £2,500 if you have a first-class degree, or equivalent qualification, and £2,500 if you’re from a Commonwealth country.

Graduate Loyalty Advancement Scholarship

  • Home and international students
  • University of Liverpool current students and alumni only

Completed your undergraduate degree, or studied as an undergraduate exchange student, at the University of Liverpool?

You could get a loyalty discount of up to £2,500 off the tuition fees for this course from September 2024 entry.

  • £1,500 tuition fee discount for eligible UK University of Liverpool graduates
  • £2,500 tuition fee discount for eligible international University of Liverpool graduates.

ANID Chile Scholarship

  • International students
  • Chile

Postgraduate taught and research students from Chile are eligible for this scholarship.

Chevening Scholarships

  • International students

The University, in partnership with Chevening, is delighted to offer this generous scholarship to students who are studying a master’s programme and who have future leadership potential. Please note that there is a fee cap applied to MBA programmes that requires applicants to cover any additional tuition costs over £18,000. You will still receive all additional allowances.

CONACYT Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

The University of Liverpool has an agreement with CONACYT to support postgraduate taught and research students from Mexico.

FIDERH Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

20% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate taught and research programmes. Must be Mexico national.

Fulbright Scholarship

  • International students
  • University of Liverpool alumni only
  • United States

One scholarship is available for a master’s student from the US and another is available for a postgraduate research student to undertake a three to six month research stay from the US

FUNED Awards

  • International students
  • Mexico

Up to ten awards are available for Masters or Research students from Mexico in receipt of FUNED loans. The award gives students a 20% reduction in fees for all applications received.

Graduate Association Hong Kong & Tung Postgraduate Scholarships

  • International students
  • China
  • Hong Kong

The University is able to offer competitive scholarships for both postgraduate taught master’s and research programmes.

HRM Princess Sirindhorn University of Liverpool Scholarship (Thailand)

  • International students
  • Thailand

The University is able to offer one award to a new postgraduate taught master’s student from Thailand.

The scholarship is open to all subjects offered as a one-year taught master’s programme.  However, priority will be given to those students who wish to study in a subject area associated with HRH Princess Sirindhorn such as science, IT, medicine, the arts, geography, history and languages.

JuventudEsGto Scholarship

  • International students
  • Mexico

Residents of State of Guanajuato, Mexico, wishing to study at postgraduate taught and research levels are eligible for this scholarship.

Marshall Scholarship

  • International students
  • University of Liverpool alumni only
  • United States

One scholarship is available for a master’s student from the US to cover the cost of tuition fees. Another, to the value of £20,000, is available for Doctoral study visit: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/

Turkish Ministry of Education Scholarship

  • International students
  • Turkey

Postgraduate taught and research students from Turkey are eligible for this scholarship, see the Turkish Ministry of Education website https://meb.gov.tr/ for more information.

University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarships for Master’s Programmes

  • International students

The three awards available cover full tuition fees, visas and support for accommodation and living expenses.

This scholarship is open to support people who have recognised status as either refugees or are under humanitarian protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention. This status must be held outside of the UK.

The scholarship is open for all postgraduate-taught programmes, excluding medicine, dentistry, veterinary and nursing.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

The University of Liverpool will award five University of Liverpool International College students, who achieve the highest academic excellence (minimum 75%) in their UoLIC Pre-Master’s programme, the prestigious UoLIC Excellence scholarship.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

  • International students

University of Liverpool International College recipients of the Kaplan awards will receive the £3,000 Progression Impact Scholarship, deducted from first-year tuition fees, on successful progression to their UoL degree programme.

To be eligible for our Impact Progression Scholarships, students must apply for one of the Kaplan Impact Scholarships demonstrating their commitment to making an impact across issues of importance to the University and Kaplan. Themes include:

Sustainability
Women in STEM
Community
Career Focus (Employability)

Vice-Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship for China

  • International students
  • China

Details are:
1 (one) Full scholarship
2 (two) £10,000 scholarships
5 (five) £5,000 scholarships
10 (ten) £1,000 scholarships
All scholarships will be awarded after the formal registration at the University and will take the form of a fee waiver.

Please note: This scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarships or bursaries provided by the University.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

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Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

Postgraduate entry requirements

It is expected that applicants should be one of the following:

  • Graduates in Dental Surgery of this University
  • Graduates with a dental first degree from another approved university, which is recognised by the General Dental Council
  • Graduates with a dental first degree from another approved university, which is not recognised by the General Dental Council.

Other Requirements

  • 2 year post qualification relevant clinical experience
  • MFDS/MJDF or an equivalent

International qualifications

Applications from international students are welcome. International qualifications will be evaluated in line with the National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) guidelines.

English language qualifications

The School’s programmes are linguistically very demanding, and it is essential that all candidates have a very high level of both spoken and written English. Qualifications accepted by the Faculty include: GCSE English; GCE O level English; AS Level English; IELTS; TOEFL; Cambridge Proficiency.

Candidates for whom English is not their first language need to provide documentary evidence of their competency in English. The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences English Language Requirement is IELTS band E.

We have simplified our IELTS requirements to an A-F band equivalent. View our IELTS academic requirements key here for equivalents. Please see the English Language Unit website for further information

IELTS E
TOEFL iBT 100, with no element lower than 22
International Baccalaureate Higher Level (Grade 6)
Hong Kong use of English AS level B
INDIA Standard XII 75% or above from Central and Metro State Boards
WAEC B

Please be advised that TOEFL is no longer classified by UK Visas and Immigration as a Secure English Language Test (SELT). However, at the current time the university is continuing to accept TOEFL, at the required level, for entry on to Undergraduate and Postgraduate academic programmes.

International qualifications

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this DDSc, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5
TOEFL iBT 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, reading 21, writing 21 and speaking 23
Duolingo English Test 130 overall, with no component below 120
Pearson PTE Academic 69 overall, with no component below 61
LanguageCert Academic 75 overall, with no skill below 70
PSI Skills for English C1 Pass in all bands
INDIA Standard XII National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC C6 or above

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH

Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.

Pre-sessional English

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-Sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score Pre-Sessional English course length On campus or online
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.5 6 weeks On campus
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 10 weeks On campus and online options available
6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 12 weeks On campus and online options available
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 20 weeks On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 30 weeks On campus
5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 40 weeks On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-Sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-Sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.5, for further details.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new application cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted on the website.

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Why Liverpool?

Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.

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Accommodation

To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.

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Fees and Finance

Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.

Changes to Paediatric Dentistry DDSc

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

23 March 2023: New postgraduate taught course pages

New course pages launched.