Periodontology Foundation Programme
Module One
The first month of the programme is an introduction to preventive care, risk assessment, and epidemiological considerations of periodontal diseases. It provides an overview of the aetiology, classification and treatment of periodontal disease. Lectures cover the aetiology of periodontal disease, non-surgical periodontal therapy, histopathology, initial therapy, and preventive strategies in the treatment of periodontal diseases. Emphasis is on the clinical management of gingivitis and early-to-moderate stages of periodontitis.
Module Two
During the second month attention is focused on fundamental skills, intellectual and mechanical, essential prior to the treatment of patients. In simulation exercises students are introduced to instrumentation for managing periodontal disease. Surgical protocols are explained in detail, with emphasis on indications, contraindications, and postoperative maintenance. Students observe the clinical treatment of patients with uncomplicated inflammatory periodontal diseases in a comprehensive care clinic. Students also participate in diagnosis and treatment planning seminars, chart, prepare case analyses, and present cases. This all serves as preparation to be able to diagnose and treatment plan more advanced cases presented in the third month.
Module Three
The third month of the course concentrates on the more advanced therapeutic modalities of periodontics, integrating principles of basic biomedical sciences, including histology, immunology, and pathophysiology. Principles of managing the more advanced periodontal patient are presented in a series of lectures covering diagnosis, prognosis, histopathology, surgical and nonsurgical intervention, and pharmacotherapeutics. Lectures cover the theory and practice of guided tissue regeneration and introduce the application and indications for biomaterials.
Online Competency Assessment
On returning to general practice students can apply their newly acquired knowledge to the treatment of their own patients. Clinical data and case imaging can be uploaded the GIFTED website for review and appraisal by a clinical tutor who will competency assess the case and provide feedback.
