MSc Digital Dental Technology

at University of Bolton

Our team of academic and professional staff will use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to help you gain and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. You can expect practical development sessions, self-directed study, lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations and independent laboratory time.
 

It’s important to realise that the time spent with a tutor during formally scheduled activities is only a small part of the learning time identified for a module. You’ll also be expected to spend a significant amount of time in guided independent study, such as general background reading, preparing for seminar activities and working on assignments. We are committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey. Over time, our guidance will purposefully become less structured and prescriptive. This will encourage you to develop confidence and independence in your studies and take responsibility for managing your own learning time as you increase in autonomy.
 

The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to help you achieve the overall aims of the curriculum, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. As well as assessing your achievement, it helps to organise and develop your learning. Assessment feedback can help you develop your skills and an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
 

The types of assessment you’ll be required to complete fall into two general categories: formative and summative. Formative assessments help in learning and developing knowledge and skills. Summative assessments, on which grades are allocated, reflect the quality of the learning that has been achieved. Formative assessment will take place via tutorial discussion, group workshops including peer and tutor review, and guidance on work in progress. Formative feedback will be provided face-to-face via discussion, online or in written form. Summative assessments consist of both practical and applied theoretical work. These will include a range of assessments including portfolios of practice, technical reports, self-reflections and oral assessments.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Dental Research Project
• Digital Dental Technology in Practice
• Dental Material Science
• Research Methodology
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• Advanced Engineering Modelling and Analysis
• Leadership and Management
   

• Normally, you should have at least an upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject; for example BSc (Hons) Dental Technology.
• If you have a lower second class (2.2) honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, we’ll consider your application, especially if you have good relevant industrial experience.
• If you’re a Clinical Dental Technician with an appropriate Level 6 qualification, then we encourage you to apply.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £12,950

The use of digital dental systems is now standard practice in many dental laboratories but there are not enough graduates with digital skills to meet the needs of industry. Dental technology departments in the National Health Service (NHS) report that they are struggling to recruit individuals with the advanced skills needed to support their current and digital dental technology practices. This is also echoed in the commercial sector. As a graduate of our MSc Digital Dental Technology master’s degree, you’ll have the digital skills that are sought by employers, along with a range of leadership and transferable skills that will support you as you seek promotion or start your own commercial enterprise.
 

As a graduate of this course, you’ll possess extensive skills in digital dental technology and a unique body of work that demonstrates your abilities. Your thorough knowledge and understanding of digital dental workflow will enable you to critically analyse and assess individual cases, and develop practical solutions. You’ll have the confidence to act autonomously, and use your initiative, problem-solving, communication and leadership skills to manage complex projects. You’ll also have sought-after skills in collaborative and team working, resilience and self-awareness.
 

You could train as a healthcare scientist, specialising in reconstructive sciences like maxillofacial prosthetics through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). Graduates may also use the qualification to enter a range of other careers – for some of these roles, both relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Career options include:

• Dentistry
• Clinical dental technology
• Dental hygiene and therapy
• Teaching and education
• Research and development
• Sales