Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

13Showcase TribuneOctober 2013United Kingdom EditionUnited Kingdom Edition Two of the UK’s most respected education and academic organisations have joined forces to provide an innovative, technology driven MSc in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. Healthcare Learning Smile-on, the UK’s pre-eminent healthcare education provider and the University of Manchester, one of the top twenty-five universities in the world, have had the prescience to collaborate in providing students with the best of everything – lecturers, online technology, live sessions and support. The programme is designed to encour- age the student to take responsibility for his/her own learning. The emphasis is on a self-directed learning approach. The majority of the learning resources on this programme will be online. The masters will combine interactive distance learning, webinars, live learning and print. Students will be able to communicate with a diverse multi-ethnic global community of peers, with who they will also share residen- tial get-togethers in fantastic settings around the world. Online Face to Face Hands-on Together This innovative pro- gramme establishes the academic and clinical parameters and standards for restor- ative and aesthetic dentistry. Students will leave with a world recognised MSc. Convenience Ownership Community Opportunity The World’s First Online MSc in Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry Call Healthcare Learning Smile-on to find out more: tel: 020 7400 8989 email: info@healthcare-learning.com web: www.smile-on.com/msc smile-on healthcarelearning inspiring better care dentistry I am reasonably comfortable with. In this sec- tion we looked at how to per- form back fillings correctly and how to achieve highly aesthetic results. Module 6 then covered more advanced techniques and involved a lot of implant work. This I found exception- ally useful as it forced me to go beyond the basic understand- ing I already had and it gave me a really good grounding in implantology, as well as cover- ing complex restorative areas too. For the first time, I think I can now honestly say that I actually understand occlusion – if anyone can! Strengthening foundations While I appreciate the Man- chester University’s methods of teaching are not the only ones, this MSc course has been superb, especially when it came to occlusion. The course strengthened my clinical foun- dations, covering all types of treatments and providing practical advice for day-to- day procedures. Patient com- munication was an especially helpful area to go over, and covering the potential risk fac- tors has helped strengthen my treatment plans. I have also been thoroughly impressed with all the acad- emics leading the course, who really know their stuff and have been fantastic instruc- tors. A good balance between the research, hospital and gen- eral dentistry has also been presented. Now nearing the end of the MSc, I am keen to take a much more minimally inva- sive approach to cases wher- ever possible. This has been reflected in my practice and we have started to focus on providing more advanced cos- metic and restorative treat- ments, with enhanced treat- ment planning procedures. We also now have an in-house implantologist, and the MSc has certainly helped me build this relationship. For any professionals think- ing of undergoing a Masters course, I think it is important to evaluate your personal situ- ation before you start. I have found that running a busy practice while taking on the extra workload from the MSc difficult at times, so I would say such an endeavour would be best suited to those running more established practices, or to associate dentists with fewer responsibilities. I also take my hat off to the clinicians on my course juggling a busy family life as well, particularly those with young children! Finding the balance A good support system is vital when undertaking this type of course – designed to test you and develop your skills, the workload can understandably put you under pressure. I am fortunate enough to have a very understanding wife, who has stepped in to help with the daily goings-on of my practice, and I can’t thank her enough for her support. It’s all about finding the balance between your passion to learn and your current commitments. As the old saying goes, ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’. To quote Socrates in Plato’s dialogues, the course has ensured that now ‘I know that I do not know’. As I come to the end of the formal train- ing of the MSc and look to- wards my dissertation, I can say without a doubt that is has changed the way I practice for good. It has been an excellent course and I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey. DT Come to Showcase Stand H01 Visit the Healthcare Learning: Smile-on team at Showcase to find out more about the MSc in Resorative &Aesthetic Dentistry and other MSc programmes currently being offered. Alternatively visit www.healthcare-learning.com or call 020 7400 8989 their Masters in Resorative & Aesthetic Dentistry