Periodontology

The Periodontics training prepares the student for specialty membership examinations and provides the basis for continuing professional development after completion of the programme. The training includes didactic and clinical components. The student is required to complete one or more research projects and to be involved in clinical and didactic undergraduate teaching activities.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have had at least 2 years clinical experience following their undergraduate studies and should ordinarily have passed their MFDS or equivalent.

Applications to the programme can be made here.

Course outline – Programme Learning Outcomes

To receive a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DChDent.) degree, the student is required to

• Be in attendance in the programme for 36 months;
• Complete all courses and pass all course assessments;
• Demonstrate clinical proficiency in a range of periodontal/implant procedures;
• Participate in and assume responsibility for one or more research projects;
• Organize, write and present a thesis which should form the basis for one or more publishable papers
• Successfully defend the research in a viva voce examination.

If, at the end of 36 months, the student has not completed programme requirements, he/she has the option of registering for one (or more) terms(s) to finish the necessary requirements.

Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this programme the student should be able to:

• describe the biology and pathology of the periodontium as well as the principles of bone biology, wound healing and tissue integration.
• describe relevant surgical head and neck anatomy.
• demonstrate knowledge of the principles of dental implant material science and implant biomechanics.
• utilize the appropriate imaging techniques relevant to periodontal and implant treatment.
• collect, organise, analyse, interpret and present clinical data related to examination of periodontal tissues.
• collect, organise, analyse, interpret and present clinical data related to the assessment of sites planned for implant placement.
• demonstrate competence in non-surgical and surgical management of periodontal defects, regenerative techniques, mucogingival procedures and analysing occlusal factors in the expression of periodontal disease.
• perform “restoration driven” implant placement based on the pre-operative planning.
• perform augmentation procedures prior to implant placement by using the appropriate material and techniques.
• establish a prognosis for the outcomes of periodontal and implant treatments.
• develop and implement recall and evaluate strategies for periodontal treatment including supportive maintenance therapy.
• establish the risks, benefits and limitations of conscious sedation.
• administer pharmacological agents for the relief of anxiety.
• function effectively with other disciplines in treatment planning and in treatment sequencing.
• analyse critically relevant scientific articles published in international and national journals.
• conduct, present and publish research projects.
• teach in both didactic and clinical areas of undergraduate periodontics at the level of a junior faculty member.

Assessment Methods

• End of year written examinations -all years
• Clinical case conference grading -all years
• Final presentation of 5 completed and documented clinical cases as specified by the European Federation of Periodontology
• Thesis defence as specified by the European Federation of Periodontology
• Clinical proficiency testing -all years

Research in Periodontology and Implantology

The research focuses on investigating diagnostic methods and treatment modalities for the management of periodontal disease and peri-implantitis. Microbiological input is provided by the Dublin Dental University Hospital Microbiological Unit.