Foundation Award
Dental Development Programme in Science and Dental Therapy (No Practice Rights)
Your career in the dental profession starts here
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This course forms the basis for further training in the dental health profession. You will cover core topics in anatomy and physiology alongside preparation for study at university level.
If you wish to pursue a career in dentistry or a related area, this course offers that first step.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Study alongside dental hygiene, dental therapy and dental students, enabling you to build effective team-working skills
- Go on a visit to a pathology museum as part of the Reading, Evaluating and Critiquing Professional Literature unit
- See our BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy in action in our purpose-built Dental Academy
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course is designed to prepare you for progression to the full-time BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. It does not in itself lead to a recognised academic award, but successful students will be offered a position on the BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy for that academic year subject to satisfactory UPDA progression criteria.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued following further training:
- general dental practice
- hospital dental services
- the Armed Forces
- the NHS
- health promotion
I chose to study this course at the University of Portsmouth because during an Open Day I loved the vibrant atmosphere and the excellent teaching facilities provided by the Dental Academy.
Amrita Kalyan, dental student 2013
Key Facts
- Duration
- 23 weeks part time
- Entry
Applicants must have a recognised qualification in Dental Nursing and Dental Nursing registration with the General Dental Council (compulsory from July 2008); Evidence of recent post registration chair-side experience; evidence of continual professional development. All applicants are subject to interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU students: This course is NHS funded; please contact the Dental Academy for further information
This course is not open to International students, Channel Islands and Isle of Man Students.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- Dental Academy
Subject:
Health Sciences and Social Work
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The clinical and real-life learning approach that will equip you for your chosen career
- Our simulated environments that mean you’ll gain and practise the skills you’ll need before entering the workplace
- Approachable lecturers, many of whom are teacher practitioners
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
The subjects covered will ensure you have the complete core knowledge to move on to further study in areas of professional practice such as essential dental procedures.
Core units in this year include:
- Introduction to Personal and Professional Learning
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Oral Anatomy and Physiology
- Reading, Evaluating and Critiquing Professional Literature
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, virtual learning, group work and guided reading. Our academic staff have expertise in clinical practice and research. We provide a student-centred approach to teaching, with all units fully supported by online lecture and study materials.
How are you assessed?
We assess you in a variety of ways; however, all assessment requires a pass mark in order for you to be eligible to progress to degree level.
Here’s how we assess your work:
- written assignments
- examinations
- presentations
- reflective reports
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
The Dental Academy
We have built the optimal environment for you to study dental practice
Working as a Team
You’ll really get a feel of what it’s like to be part of a dental team
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
The Dental Academy
We have built the optimal environment for you to study dental practice. Offering a balance of state-of-the-art teaching and clinical facilities, here’s a taste of what you’ll have access to:
- two clinics (44 dental treatment bays)
- two individual surgeries
- a phantom head room
- decontamination suite
- radiography suite
- four radiography booths
Working as a Team
Our Dental Academy is a training ground for undergraduate King’s College London Dental Institute students as well as you and others on your course. So with dental care professionals and undergraduate dentists under the same roof, you’ll really get a feel of what it’s like to be part of a dental team working within a primary dental care setting.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Successfully completing this course leads to a place on the BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. The dental hygienist/therapist operates as a healthcare professional who, from a treatment plan provided by a registered dentist, delivers a range of treatments from extraction of children’s teeth, to provision of fillings and performing scale and polishing procedures. You’ll find employment opportunities within a variety of settings such as dental practices, hospitals or other places promoting oral health.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- dental hygienist
- dental nurse
- practice manager
- dental therapist
- practice owner
Career planning
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more