Foundation Degree in Post-Qualifying Dental Nursing Practice

Programme overview

This programme is aimed at qualified dental nurses working in NHS trusts or dental practices.  It is designed to meet the educational and continuing professional development needs of dental nurses as registered dental care professionals.

The programme comprises of a range of module options at certificate level (stage 1) and diploma level (stage 2). Each module comprises academic learning as well as learning in the workplace supported by a practice supervisor.

Duration

Two years full -time or up to four years part-time

For those who do not wish to undertake the entire programme, some modules may be accessed as stand-alone.

More information

 

Aims and objectives

This foundation degree was developed to facilitate the delivery of academic programmes, suitable for all levels of dental nurses and other dental care professionals.

The modules within the programme are suitable for the professional development needs of dental nursing staff, are mainly work-based and the assessments are designed in such a way that they can be applied to the student's area of work.

The programme is designed to be flexible, with core modules and optional choices.  Each student will be assisted in planning their own pathway through the programme, selecting appropriate modules to complete within a maximum of four years as a part-time option.

The First Stage is the Certificate Stage, the student studies 120 credits at level 4 to complete this stage.  All modules are 20 credits except where indicated.

The Core Modules in this stage are:

  • Key Skills in Clinical Practice
  • Work based Learning

The Optional Modules are:

  • Study Skills in Health and Social Care
  • Dental Radiography for Dental Nurses and Hygienists (40)
  • Key Skills in Clinical Practice
  • Effective Communication
  • Dental Sedation for Dental Nurses (40)
  • Special Care Dental Nursing
  • Personal and Professional Development
  • Rights and Responsibilities

The Second Stage is the Diploma Stage, the student studies 120 credits at level 5 to complete this stage.  All modules are 20 credits except where indicated.

The Core Modules in this stage are:

  • Supervising and Mentoring in Practice
  • Work Based Learning

The Optional Modules are:

  • Study Skills for Lifelong Learning in Health and Social Care
  • Evidencing Personal and Professional Development (40)
  • Evidencing Personal and Professional Development (20)
  • Evidenced Based practice
  • Maintaining Quality in Health Care
  • The Policy Environment for Practice
  • Dental Practice Management

For students registering on the Foundation Degree programme, the programme leader will discuss the module options with the student, and plan the order of the module choices to ensure viability amongst cohorts of students.  Students may access modules as stand alone; this enables some students to have taster sessions of studying in Higher Education at level 4 or 5.  Some students may use stand alone modules to complete stage credits (120 credits) in order to access the next level of study.

Students will be able to access degree programmes (level 6) on completion of their Foundation Degree.

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Entry requirements

A Dental Nurse Qualification is essential plus experience of working as a Dental Nurse and registration as a Dental Nurse.

Applicants must have the National Certificate in Dental Nursing or equivalent and have professional registration with the General Dental Council (GDC).  Applicants should produce evidence of their ability to study at higher education level 4 in the form of previous qualifications and/or a recommendation from their employer. The programme aims to share provision and delivery with practice and each student will require a practice supervisor from their practice area who in turn will be supported by the Foundation Degree Teaching Team.

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Assessments

These are varied in the form of assignments, practice portfolios and practical assessments.

Modules will be assessed in a variety of ways embracing various learning styles of assessment to determine the achievement of learning outcomes.

More specific details of the various modes of assessment to include assessment specification / criteria can be found in individual module specifications.

Diversity in assessment has been applied throughout the programme in order to recognise individual diversity with a particular emphasis towards embedding theoretical aspects within practice and translating into assessment.

A number of assessments undertaken will have significant practical value to the student within their professional role and will further enhance their personal and professional development.

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Future career prospects

This programme will enable students to enhance their knowledge and skills and prepare them to progress in their chosen career.

The modules within this programme can be used for variable CPD.  Examples of suitable modules would be key skills in clinical practice, Dental Sedation and Dental Radiography.

It may open up opportunities for advancements in practice and will enable students to progress to BSc (hons) Degree.

Following successful completion of the programme students can if they wish progress onto a number of BSc pathways within the Health and Social Care Faculty or may wish to further their career within the dental profession.

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Attendance

This will be a combination of workplace learning and University attendance and will be dependent upon the selection of modules and the modes of teaching and delivery identified for each module.

This will depend upon the module/s undertaken as the clinical Post qualification modules are predominantly taught within the University in partnership with practice and 80% attendance to taught sessions is required.  Other options are delivered and /or supported via Virtual Learning. The remaining modules are university based and 80% attendance is required.

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Funding information

Applicants wishing to obtain funding via the SHA should apply through the NHS Trust or PCT training departments in the first instance.

Applicants who are employed by the NHS Trusts/PCT will be eligible for funding from the NHS Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority.

Reduced fees are available for self-funding students. Some students may be eligible for funding through the Local Education Authority grant scheme and other organisations.

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Course structure

The programme is offered part-time over four years i.e. half a day per week or full time over two years i.e. one day per week. The programme is offered on a Wednesday and/or Friday.

FOUNDATION DEGREE:  DENTAL NURSE PRACTICE YEAR 1

SEMESTER

AVAILABLE

MODULE TITLE

MODULE NUMBER

CORE MODULES

Semester 1

Key Skills I in Clinical Practice

47460

Semester 2/3

Work Based Learning

92347 / 92349

OPTIONS

Semester 1/3

Study Skills in Health and Social Care

47507 / 47520

Semester 1-2

Dental Radiography for Dental Nurses and Hygienists

92029

Semester 1-2 Special Care Dental Nursing (40 credits) 47592

Semester 2

Effective Communication

47458

Semester 2-3 Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing for Dental Nurses  47433

Semester 3

Evidence Based Practice

47464

Semester 3

Personal Professional Development

47519

Semester 3  Rights and Responsibilities  47508

FOUNDATION DEGREE:  DENTAL NURSE PRACTICE YEAR 2

SEMESTER

AVAILABLE

MODULE TITLE

MODULE NUMBER

CORE MODULES

Semester 1

 

Supervising and Mentoring in Practice

47517

Semester

1-2 / 2-3

Work Based Learning

92350 / 92351

OPTIONS

Semester 1 / 3

Study Skills for Lifelong Learning in Health and Social Care

47169 / 47171

Semester 1-2/2-3

Evidencing Personal and Professional Development (40 credits)

47384/47386

Semester 1

Evidence Based Practice

92255

Semester 2

Evidencing Personal and Professional Development (20 credits)

47997

Semester 1/2

Managing Quality in Health Care

92160/92158

Semester 2

The Policy Environment in Practice

47512

Semester 3

Dental Practice Management

47518

 

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Contact details

Vicky Hewson

Tel: +44 (0) 1482 464602

Email: v.hewson@hull.ac.uk

 

Faculty of Health and Social Care Marketing

Tel:  +44 (0) 1482 464575

Email: fhsc-marketing@hull.ac.uk

 

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Contact us

Vicky Hewson

Tel: +44 (0) 1482 464602

Email: v.hewson@hull.ac.uk

Testimonial

"Dental Radiography and Radiology was an excellent course, demanding and challenging but very rewarding.  The tutors were great, very supportive throughout the entire course. 

"It has increased my knowledge and skills and improved my patient care.  Passing the radiography course has given me the confidence to further my professional development.  I would highly recommend other dental care professionals to enrol."

(Helen Mawer, Dental Radiography and Radiology, 2008)

Helen Mawer