Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy Factsheet
This orthodontic therapy program is delivered over one year and designed to train Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) as orthodontic therapists. Successful completion of the program will allow the student to sit the Royal College of Surgeons Diploma Examination in Orthodontic Therapy. Attainment of this qualification allows registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a fully qualified orthodontic therapist who is then permitted to work under the supervision and guidance of a specialist orthodontist.
To allow for the above, the GDC advises an approved orthodontic therapy training course must be completed; the University Dental Hospital of Manchester course has been approved as appropriate for delivery by the GDC.
Format, content and final examination of the course
The delivery of the teaching will be a mixture of group seminars, lectures and laboratory sessions which will cover the theoretical aspects of the orthodontic therapy curriculum. In addition, typodont exercises will be undertaken in the clinical environment within the Dental Hospital. The student will undertake clinical orthodontic procedures as a student orthodontic therapist under the close supervision of their workplace trainer.
The course consists of a programme of learning delivered over 11 months; this entails an initial induction followed by a 3-week core program; plus, additional study days at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester, the final period of the course allows preparation for the final examination.
All clinical practice will take place in the student’s clinical working environment under the trainer’s supervision (please see trainers application form). The trainer/mentor must be registered as a specialist orthodontist on the GDCs practitioner’s list.
After successful completion of the course, including satisfactory workplace reports/competencies and completion of end-term assessments, the student will then be eligible to sit the examination for the Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy of the Royal College of Surgeons. The final examination is designed to test the ability of the student to treat patients as delegated by a registered orthodontist. The range of skills to be tested in the examination include those which are specified in the Learning Outcomes of the Royal College of Surgeons Diploma Examination in Orthodontic Therapy.
Applications for the course
Students will be working exclusively in an orthodontic practice with adequate UOAs (or equivalent) to achieve the requisite clinical competencies. Specific dental care professional roles are as follows:
- Dental nurses
- Dental hygienists
- Dental therapists
- Dental technicians should demonstrate APL of an understanding of clinical dental sciences, patient management and surgery protocols including cross infection
Enhanced DBS checks
This course will involve access to children and/or vulnerable adults. Students will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).
Indemnity
Students will be required to obtain appropriate professional indemnity throughout their period of training. It is the trainer’s responsibility to ensure this is implemented for the student.
Cost of course and allocation of placements
There will be a maximum 10 places available each year and selection of students will be based on the application form and interview of both the student and their potential trainer. Admission to the course is by competitive entry.