Postgraduate Study
As well as the set training pathways for specialty training, you have various other options for Postgraduate study towards recognised qualifications. You will need to gain certain qualifications before entering specialty training or careers in a particular area
Queen Mary University of London offers a wide range of postgraduate courses and research opportunities. For information, please see the medicine and dentistry section on the university website http://www.qmul.ac.uk/medicineanddentistry/
MJDF: Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties
Royal College of Surgeons of England
“The MJDF’s purpose and value is to confirm the acquisition of competencies at the end of the foundation training curriculum, for a dental career which may develop within either primary or secondary care.” (From the MJDF website – see below)
MJDF examination has effectively replaced the MFGDP and the MFDS RCS Eng.
Basically, in the past, you used to have to complete an exam (either the MFGDP or the MFDS) before you could start specialty training. However, the system has been changed so that now, there is one exam (the MJDF) which “confirms your competency” whether you want to enter general practice or specialty training.
Officially you don’t need to pass the MJDF exam to get onto specialty training, but in reality, it would be very hard to get a place without it.
It is possible that in future, this exam will be made mandatory before commencing specialty training.
For more information, visit:
Diplomas
A diploma is a postgraduate qualification which involves taught courses. It usually lasts for a year full time or two years part time.
There are a number of different diplomas which are available in postgraduate dentistry. They include:
Endodontic practice, dental clinical science, Dental technology, Implant Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Forensic Odontology, Dental Public Health. (and many others)
Masters
A masters qualification is similar in length to a diploma (normally 1 year full time and 2 years part time). It has taught courses, but it also includes a dissertation.
Within dentistry, you can either study for an MSc (Master of Science) or an M.ClinDent (Master of Clinical Dentistry).
Again, there are many different Masters you can complete in dentistry including: Prosthodontics, Periodontology, Oral Surgery or Paediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Experimental Oral Pathology, Dental Public Health, Oral Biology, Implant Dentistry or Dental Technology.
PhDs
A PhD can take many years to complete (normally at least 3). It is awarded after successfully completing a supervised individual research programme. Your research is presented as a thesis.
Most funded research proposals in the UK have been designed by the supervisor and peer reviewed.