MSc Primary Dental Care (3 year programme)
Course Overview
The MSc Primary Dental Care is a comprehensive programme of clinically based general dentistry, taught to an advanced, level 2 care procedural and/or patient complexity, requiring a clinician with enhanced skills and experience at a specialist level of practice, incorporating the latest digital and AI technologies. It covers the depth and breadth of dental practice, from clinical care of infants (Paedodontics) to end-stage care and management of the elderly (Gerodontology).This qualification is ideal for dentists intending or engaging in the delivery of multiple specialities, such as orthodontics, implantology and aesthetic dentistry. Dentists engaging in the delivery of multiple speciality treatment plans should be aware of their limitations ensuring that the treatments they provide are evidence-based and appropriate. The boundaries between what was traditionally delivered by the general dental practitioner and the specialist are becoming increasingly blurred. With the advent of digital dentistry and the predictability of implantology combined with increasing patient expectations for more advanced elective cosmetic procedures, general dentists are providing mixed specialist types of dental treatment. This programme is intended to give dentists the contemporary core knowledge and clinical skills essential for the safe delivery of competent, high-quality multidisciplinary dental care with predictable treatment outcomes. Upon completing this programme, you will be able to confidently treat and identify suitable cases within your scope of competency.
The programme has been carefully planned to ensure that modules provide a scaffolded approach to learning, with earlier modules underpinning later ones and the contents of one module complementing another taught in the academic year. For example, after having spent 90 hours in the 1st semester doing practical work in the Dental Manikins’ Dental Skills Laboratory simulating the clinical environment, you will enter the clinical training environment and begin working with patients.
Apart from the well-established, in academia, written assessments (exams, reports, etc.), this Programme includes other more contemporary types of assessment, that are also being used by other organisations, like the Royal College of Surgeons and the General Dental Council (GDC). The broad range of assessment types in the Programme aims at consolidating your learning. Some such assessments’ type examples include Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), professional discussions, etc.
Highlights
- Consolidation of safe clinical practice principles in accordance with the Safe Practitioner Framework recently published by the GDC.
- Comprehensive face to face teaching in the theory of clinical dentistry from a broad range of perspectives.
- Clinical training placement supervised by recognised clinicians in the field. As interns you will be treating actual patients at our purpose built and outreach centres.
- Contemporary types of assessment, mirroring those utilised by the General Dental Council (GDC) for the ORE examinations and the Royal College of Surgeons, e.g. OSCEs.
- Support in attaining MFDS.
- Small group learning opportunities and access to the very latest digital and AI modalities.
- Opportunities for personal and professional development in primary dental care.
- Contribution to the research base of primary dental care, encouraging research amongst practitioners.
- Reflective practice through the self-appraisal of own levels of competency.
- Gain a degree from the University of Greater Manchester, accredited by the British Government, whose degrees are recognised internationally.
Key Features
- Course materials are available online, allowing you to prepare work at home and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
- This course is based at the University of Greater Manchester’s campus in the North West of England.
- We offer opportunities for you to undertake advanced research into a variety of subjects. Whenever possible, we'll support you to focus on projects that are directly linked to your personal interests and career development needs.
- If the outcomes and standard of your major research project prove appropriate, we'll support you to reformat your project into an academic paper for submission to an academic journal, ready to seek publication.
- Opportunities for progression after completing this master's degree include PhD programmes.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North-West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes the University of Greater Manchester an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
- Preparation for MFDS examination Royal College of Surgeons.
Entry Requirements
- The standard entry requirement for the course is a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) having appropriate work experience.
- You must have current registration with the UK General Dental Council (GDC) or equivalent in another country.
- You will be required to attend a professional discussion and provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 7.0 with normally no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise procedure.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
An MSc from the University of Greater Manchester is recognised globally as a stamp of professional achievement, and such postgraduate qualifications are used worldwide by many countries as the benchmark standard for advanced practice at a specialist level. An MSc confirms the acquisition of advanced competencies fundamental for a dental career within either primary or secondary care. It is recognised by many licencing authorities as conferring eligibility for specialism.
What can I do with this qualification?
The MSc programmes prepare and support students for the Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery MFDS examination offered by the Royal College of Surgeons. It demonstrates a deeper understanding of both the knowledge and application.
Alternative career options
An MSc is a prerequisite in many teaching institutions and entry qualification to academia, opening up teaching and research opportunities. You can become a recognised expert and opinion leader at the forefront of your speciality.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | |
| 2025-26 | £48,000 | £48,000 | £48,000 | - | £144,000 |
| 2026-27 | - | ||||
International Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | |
| 2025-26 | £48,000 | £48,000 | £48,000 | - | £144,000 |
| 2026-27 | - | ||||
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Primary Dental Care - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Teaching & Assessment
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 lectures, seminars, practical classes in the dental manikin and skills laboratory, training placement, workshops and tutorials.
It's important to realise that the time spent with a tutor (or clinical supervisor) during formally scheduled activities is only a small part of the learning time identified for a module. We'll also expect you to spend significant time in guided independent study, such as general background reading, preparing for seminar activities and working on assignments. We're committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey and achieving your goals. 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 professional 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 build 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, clinical assessment during training placement, 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 group activities (group role plays), professional discussions, OSCEs, Vivas, reports, written exams, portfolios of clinical cases, PowerPoint presentations and a Dissertation.
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.
- Multidisciplinary Patient Assessment and Risk Management
- Three Dimension Digital Imaging Techniques, Interpretation and Technology
- Occlusal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
- Aetiology and Diagnosis of Oral Disease
- Multidisciplinary Care and Advanced Reflective Clinical Practice
- Research Methodology
- Dissertation
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 49% Practical exams 38% Written exams 13% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 61% Placement/study abroad 20% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 19% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
