Course description
Programme description
- Programme structure allows you to maintain your dental practice while at the same time studying for your degree.
- Delivered by a team of academics at the King's Dental Institute – a renowned centre of international excellence for teaching and research – many of whom are world leaders in their field.
- King's has pioneered distance learning in dentistry, providing graduate teaching for students from many different countries around the world and is a leading partner in the IVIDENT (International Virtual Dental School) initiative.
Modular programme comprises nine modules totalling 190 credits, taken as follows: Radiation Physics, Statistics & Radiation Protection in Year one; Radiography, Science & Technology of Radiological Imaging and Radiographic Anatomy in Year two. Radiology & Pathology and Diagnostic Interpretation & Radiographic Anatomy II in Year three; and a Dental Radiology research project and report in Year four.
Programme format and assessment
In each year, you will need to attend a two or three week intensive course in London:
Year one: June/July; two weeks; seminars, practicals, mock exams;
Year two: March/April three weeks; clinical work and tutorials;
Year three: August/September; three weeks; lectures, tutorials, film viewing and oral exam.
Year four: individual date to meet your tutor to discuss your report.
The modules in Years one and two, and Radiology and Pathology in Year three are assessed by formal written examination. For the Year three module Diagnostic Interpretation and Radiographic Anatomy II, there is an assessment session in interpretative radiology (a film viewing and oral examination) in London at the end of the Year three intensive course. Assignments also count towards the final assessment. The best four assignments will be taken into account in Years one and two. In Year three, the best three will be taken into account for Radiology and Pathology and the best six for Diagnostic Interpretation and Radiographic Anatomy II. Year four is assessed on the dissertation.
Programme modules for MSc DL Dental & Maxillofacial Radiology
Dental & Maxillofacial Radiology Research Project (Core Module)
This 60 credit module aims to enable you to investigate in great depth a topic within the field of dental and maxillofacial radiology and to write it up in a dissertation. By the end of the module, you should be able to design and undertake a research project, demonstrate an ability to critically review the literature and evaluate scientific data and research, reflect on their own academic work, write in a scientific manner and be familiar with use of information technology. You will be encouraged to present their work at relevant scientific conferences. Assessment is by dissertation.
Diagnostic Interpretation & Radiographic Anatomy II (Core Module)
This 20 credit module aims to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the advanced interpretative skills in diagnostic radiology of normal and abnormal appearances in the dental and maxillofacial region, and to acquire more detailed knowledge of maxillofacial anatomy. By the end of the module, students should be competent to interpret the various radiographic images of the maxillofacial region being able to distinguish normal from abnormal, be able to construct a radiological differential diagnosis of pathological abnormalities and to write radiological reports. Assessment is by essay assignments, practical examination and an oral examination.
Radiation Physics (Core Module)
This 15 credit module aims to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the principles of radiation physics in relation to dental and maxillofacial radiology. By the end of the m,odule students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of radiation physics including the production and interaction of X-rays. Assessment is by written examination and essay assignments
Radiation Protection (Core Module)
This 15 credit module aims to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the principles and practice of radiation protection in dentistry. By the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of radiation protection issues including underpinning legislation; and to demonstrate ability to work safely with radiation in dental practice. Assessment is by written examination and essay assignments.
Radiographic Anatomy I (Core Module)
This 15 credit module aims to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the maxillofacial region, and to relate it to radiographic projections and various modalities of diagnostic imaging. By the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of radiographic anatomy of the maxillofacial skeleton. They should be competent to interpret the various diagnostic images of the maxillofacial region being able to distinguish normal from abnormal. Assessment is by written examination and essay assignments.
Radiography (Core Module)
This 15 credit module aims to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the principles of dental radiography and to acquire the relevant practical skills. By the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of conventional dental radiographic techniques, be competent in practical aspects of panoramic radiography and intra-oral radiography including the use of film holders, be able to work safely with radiation and communicate effectively with patients and other clinicians, and be familiar with other imaging techniques including skull radiography, digital radiography, sialography, interventional sialography and ultrasound imaging. Assessment is by written examination and essay assignments.
Radiology & Pathology (Core Module)
This 20 credit module aims to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the advanced interpretative skills in diagnostic radiology of normal and abnormal appearances in the dental and maxillofacial region. By the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of conventional dental radiographic techniques, advanced diagnostic techniques including CT, MRI and ultrasound, pathological and radiological appearances of diseases affecting the maxillofacial skeleton. They should be competent to interpret the various radiographic images of the maxillofacial region being able to distinguish normal from abnormal and be able to construct a radiological differential diagnosis of pathological abnormalities. Assessment is by written examination and essay assignments.
Science and Technology of Radiological Imaging (Core Module)
This 15 credit module aims to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the science and technology of diagnostic imaging in relation to dental and maxillofacial radiology. By the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the science and technology of equipment used in diagnostic imaging, image production and manipulation in relation to digital images. Assessment is by written examination and essay assignments.
Statistics (Core Module)
This 15 credit module aims to enable students to evaluate relevant scientific data and research in the area of diagnostic imaging in a critical way. By the end of the module, students should be able to critically review the literature, be familiar with research study design and understand how to analyse scientific data; they should be able to use spreadsheet and literature searching software; to reflect critically on their own academic work; and to use all these skills in designing and undertaking their final year MSc project. Assessment is by written examination and essay assignment.
