MMB8051 : Oral and Dental Sciences
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ralf Kist
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Christopher Nile
- Lecturer: Mr Greig Taylor, Professor Chris Vernazza, Dr Richard Holmes, Dr Chien-Yi Chang, Dr Charlotte Currie, Miss Helen Rogers, Dr Richard Holliday, Dr Susan Bissett, Professor Nicholas Jakubovics, Dr Seva Telezhkin, Mr James Allison, Dr Rebecca Wassall, Dr Matthew German
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aims of this module are to:
1. Introduce students to the latest advances in oral and dental research and the importance of research in underpinning the practice of dentistry in the future.
2. Provide the students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the latest research methodologies and their application in dentistry.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module will teach fundamental principles and concepts of current oral and dental research and their impact on dentistry. This will be accomplished through taught sessions describing topical research projects currently carried out by group leaders involved in teaching on this module.
Specifically, the module will consider:
• The role of biofilms in oral health and disease
• The role of host-microbe interactions in oral health and disease
• Advances in dental materials and their role in maintaining the function and aesthetics of the oral
cavity
• The aetiology of oral cancer and the latest developments in diagnostics and therapeutics
• The generation of bioaerosols in clinical settings, methods of controlling them, and the impact on delivery of care
• Advances in the provision of dental care for groups at high risk of dental disease including dependent adults,
children and problem orientated attenders
• Structures, policy and the economics of the provision of NHS dental care
• The importance of oral epidemiology in shaping dental practice and policy in the future
• The impact of E-cigarettes and nicotine replacements products on oral health and disease
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 45:00 | 45:00 | Research Essay |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Online pre-recorded lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | Laboratory report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Oral Presentations - 15 mins per student. 100% attendance |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | Oral presentation preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Advance reading for research seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Wet and dry lab present in person, practical |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Advance reading for practicals |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Present in person research seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 17:00 | 17:00 | Additional reading and reflection |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 10 | 3:00 | 30:00 | Preparing lecture and seminar notes |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Our teaching philosophy focusses on delivery of topical knowledge in the form of recorded lectures that students can watch repeatedly. This diminishes the time spent on taking lecture notes and prepares the students better for independent study of the seminar material (see below).
Each small group teaching session (seminar) will involve discussion of key papers in an area of dental research. The students will be required to read and critique the papers before each session. In addition, a recorded lecture will accompany each session which the student will required to engage with in advance. The seminars will then involve ‘Oxbridge’ style discussion of the papers which will be student-led with a staff facilitator. Together with self-directed reading and study, this will enable the students to critically appraise research in the field and the benefits and limitations of current advances in dentistry.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 60 | 2,000-word essay related to a topic of the small group teaching sessions. |
| Oral Examination | 1 | M | 40 | Present in person: 10 min, max 10 slide PowerPoint presentation on a key manuscript in dental research with 5 min discussion |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 2000 word laboratory report - a scientific journal presenting data from one of the practical classes |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Summative assessments
Essay:– The essay relates to the small group teaching sessions (seminars) in which students have practised their analytical, critical thinking and presentation skills. The essay will assess the ability of students to critique an area of dental research and to communicate theories and opinions in a written format.
Oral presentation: – a maximum 10 slide PowerPoint presentation distilling information from a key manuscript in dental research, 10 minute presentation followed by 15 minute discussion, assessed by examiners. This will allow students to develop their oral presentation skills and asses their ability to verbally communicate complex scientific data and theories to their peers.
Formative assessment
Lab report: – The lab report will be written in the form of a short research report using real data generated by the students in a practical class. This will assess the students’ ability to present scientific data in a written format as well as providing them with an insight into the manuscript writing process.
To help students improve their writing and presentation skills, detailed feedback will be provided for all assessments.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8051's Timetable