Certificate in Minor Oral Surgery (Dental Nursing) (Level 3)

	Course title: Certificate in Minor Oral Surgery (Dental Nursing)
This course is aimed at dental nurses who wish to assist in the provision of minor oral surgery treatments in both general practice and hospital environments.
	Awarded by: DELTA Awards
	Structure: The course is delivered by way of 6 modules. Resources include written course material and scheduled one to one tutorials with the course tutor if required. This course requires the involvement of a workplace supervisor / expert witness who will take overall responsibility for the practical evidence completed within the workplace. This person will receive their own account login and be required to sign off the evidence submitted. Please ensure you have this person in place prior to course application. Failure to do so will compromise course progress.
	Grading: Pass or fail
	Pre-Requisites: Candidates must hold GDC registration and a recognised Dental Nurse qualification. Access to a range of minor oral surgery procedures. The Suture Removal module is optional.
	Assessment: This course is assessed by: Workplace Record of Competence which forms 30% of the final grade Essay submission – an extended essay with research element is required in the final module and forms 20% of the overall grade Case study – an extended case study on a specific area of minor oral surgery should be completed and forms 10% of the overall grade Final examination – a 60 minute written exam on all subjects covered forms 40% of the overall grade Candidates must achieve a pass in all assessments to gain the certificate.
	Resit arrangements: Candidates can receive a small course extension to amend or change any information in the case studies or essay submissions. Candidates get two attempts at the final examination.
	Practical Component: Optional – Suture removal
	Guided Learning Hours: This programme is 300 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
	Course length: 9 – 12 months
	Credits: This course attracts 30 credits

Course Content

Module 1 Content	Module 1 Assessment
Dental Anatomy revision Anatomy of the head	Multiple choice questions

Module 2 Content	Module 2 Assessment
Pre-operative procedures Patient selection and evaluation Referral and pre operative assessment Pre and post-operative instructions	In module patient case assignments

Module 3 Content	Module 3 Assessment
The clinical environment Dental Surgery Hospital Common oral surgery procedures	End of module essay questions Workplace Portfolio of Evidence

Module 4 Content	Module 4 Assessment
Complex Oral Surgery treatments (such as biopsies, apicectomy, cyst removal or denucleation, non-standard extractions) Anxiety and pain control Medical emergencies Post operative complications	Extended case study Workplace Portfolio of Evidence

Module 5 Content	Module 5 Assessment
Physiology of blood Haemorrhage and healing Wound management	End of module assignments Extended essay (submitted at the end of the course)

Module 6 Content	Module 6 Assessment
Suture removal	WPE logs

Assessment

Extended Case Study

The candidate is required to complete a case study which involves the treatment of a more complex oral surgery case.

A critical evaluation of the appointment(s) including identification of strengths, areas of good practice and areas of improvement
Where possible, supporting literature should be included to justify treatment management decisions

Extended Essay

An extended essay on the action of blood with regard to the mechanisms of clotting, wound healing and abnormalities in the healing process. Candidates will be required to reference their work and research the content. The essay should be in the region of 1500 – 1800 words. This contributes to 20% of the final grade.

Portfolio of Workplace Experience

A workplace portfolio is required to demonstrate practical skills when assisting with a range of minor oral surgery procedures.

Access to some or all of the following procedures is required:

Non-surgical extractions
Surgical Exposure and/or removal of an impacted tooth
Non-/Surgical Removal of Supplemental or Supernumerary Teeth
Soft Tissue Biopsy
Apicectomy
Frenectomy
Cyst removal

This contributes 40% to the final grade.

Written Exam

Candidates will be required to sit a final written exam of 60 minutes duration. The examination is provided electronically and candidates are able to undertake this in their own environment under strict, remote invigilation. This contributes to 40% of the final grade.

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