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Applications for the PGDipClinDent (Paediatric Dentistry) open on 1 April and close on 31 May of the year prior to study. When applications are open, a link to apply will appear on the PGDipClinDent page.

Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (PGDipClinDent) in Paediatric Dentistry is a two-year part-time course designed for general dental practitioners and dental surgeons in hospital practice who—as part of their work—have a particular interest in, or responsibility for, the care and treatment of children and adolescents. The programme intake starts mid-year and runs every second year.

Aims

The course aims to:

  • Examine traditional and current approaches to dental care for children and adolescents
  • Support development of clinical skills to provide care for all children including those with specific problems related to developmental, behavioural, medical, intellectual, physical or social disabilities
  • Study the provision of dental care for children in relation to services available in New Zealand and other countries

Programme requirements

  1. Students are required to be in dental practice managing children and adolescent oral health care
  2. Three visits to Dunedin of 3–5 days each time, and will involve attendance at a course for dental care under general anaesthesia
  3. Three half-day practice visits by staff
  4. The didactic component of the programme will be delivered using desk-top video conferencing; students will have access to online material and the University library
  5. The final assessment involves two written papers, and presentation of cases that have been treated and followed up during the programme

Programme content

Areas covered include:

  • Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
  • Scientific Basis of Prevention of Oral Diseases – Dental Caries and Dental Erosion
  • Restorative Care and Pulp Therapy in the Primary and Young Permanent Dentitions
  • Growth and Development and Behaviour Management
  • Trauma Diagnosis and Management in the Primary and Young Permanent Dentitions
  • Pain Control, Sedation, and General Anaesthesia
  • Development of the Dentition and Intercepting Problems
  • Diagnosis and Management of Dental Anomalies and Oral Pathology
  • Medical Conditions Affecting Oral Health
  • Periodontal health – in Children and Adolescents
  • Dental Public Health – Children and Adolescents

Regulations

The regulations for the PGDipClinDent are applicable to this course.

PGDipClinDent regulations

Further information

Please direct questions to:

Alison Meldrum, Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry and Associate Professor
Email alison.meldrum@otago.ac.nz
Dorothy Boyd, Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry and Senior Lecturer
Email dorothy.boyd@otago.ac.nz

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