Course title: Orthodontic Nursing Practice
This course is aimed at dental nurses who assist with patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and who wish to improve their knowledge and understanding of this patient group.
Awarded by: Delta Awards
Structure: The course is delivered by way of eight modules. Resources include written course material and scheduled one to one tutorials with the course tutor if required.
Grading: Pass or fail
Pre-requisites: Candidates must hold GDC registration and a recognised Dental Nurse qualification. Candidates must work in an environment which supports access to orthodontic patients. Full practice support is required.
Assessment: This course is assessed by:
- Workplace Portfolio of Evidence to record involvement in patient cases where different aspects of orthodontic treatment is being conducted. This forms 50% of the final grade
- One case study which forms 20% of the overall grade
- Final examination – a 60 minute written exam on all subjects covered forms 30% 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 online examination
Practical Component: Students will be required to undertake dental impressions and/or intra oral digital scanning, and orthodontic photography
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 |
|---|---|
| Anatomy
|
In module assignments
Final examination |
| Module 2 Content | Module 2 Assessment |
| Rationale for Orthodontic Treatment | In module assignments |
| Module 3 Content | Module 3 Assessment |
| Orthodontic Assessment and
Treatment Planning |
In module assignments
Final examination Workplace Portfolio |
| Module 4 Content | Module 4 Assessment |
| Appliances – fixed and removeable | In module assignments
Final examination Workplace portfolio |
| Module 5 Content | Module 5 Assessment |
| Functional Appliances and Multi-
disciplinary care |
In module assignments Final examination |
| Module 6 and 7 Content | Module 6 and 7 Assessment |
| Practical element:
Dental Impressions or intra oral scanning Intra and extra oral photography
|
Workplace portfolio |
Assessment
Case Study – The candidate is required to complete a case study which involve their role in the maintenance of oral health during the provision of orthodontic treatment to one patient. Details of the treatment undertaken to include:
- The role of the dental nurse during the treatment
- A critical evaluation of the patient’s oral health status and reasons for intervention including identification of strengths, areas of good practice and areas of improvement
- The impact of oral hygiene on orthodontic treatment
- The aims of the treatment and evaluation of the outcome
- Where possible, supporting literature should be included to justify treatment management decisions
Workplace Portfolio of Evidence
The candidate is required to demonstrate their involvement with patient cases where different aspects of orthodontic treatment are being provided. This should require a minimum of 12 fixed appliance patients, 6 removable appliances which can include aligners, and/or retention.
Workplace Portfolio of Evidence includes:
- Fixed Appliances (all stages)
- Removeable Appliances (if applicable)
- Retainers
- IOTN
- Aligners
Written Exam – candidates will be required to sit a final written exam of 60 minutes duration. The examination is provided online and is available four times a year. Candidates will be required to undertake this under strict examination conditions.