Dental Care Professionals

Aim of the Programme:

To develop the knowledge, skills, and practical competence required for registered dental care professionals to accurately and safely take alginate dental impressions for working and study models, under the prescription of a dentist and within the General Dental Council (GDC) Scope of Practice.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the programme, the candidate should be able to:

1. Define and demonstrate the taking of alginate dental impressions for the purpose of working or study models 
2. Explain the relevant legislation, health and safety requirements and professional guidance relating to the taking of alginate dental impressions 
3. Demonstrate the emergency support procedures for common medical emergencies which could occur in the dental surgery whilst taking alginate dental impressions

This programme has 2 online study sessions with one in person study day at Glasgow Dental Education Centre (GDEC). Attendance at all study days is mandatory.

Candidates are provided with guidance and instructions to access online study sessions which will consist of teaching, assessment, and portfolio work. The in-person day will consist of practical application of alginate impressions and BLS, medical emergencies simulation. Deadlines for submitting assessments will be provided throughout the programme.

• To enable candidates to participate in all aspects of this programme and assessments, they will require:
• A laptop or computer with a webcam and microphone
• Access to the internet, with broadband connection
• Access to Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft Word
• A quiet area without interruptions to concentrate on studies for example: attendance to online study days and completion of assessments

Candidates will be required to successfully complete the programme’s assessment to be awarded the Higher National Unit: Dental Impressions for Working or Study Models (Dentate)

Closed book assessment paper

The candidate will undertake an open book assessment paper to demonstrate their

The candidate will undertake a closed book assessment paper to demonstrate their knowledge in Outcome 2. The paper will consist of a range of different question types:

• Multiple choice questions
• Short answer questions

Patient Logs

The candidate will complete 20 alginate impressions for working or study models under the prescription of a dentist. To the range of minimum 5 Adult and 5 Child cases.

All logs must include self- reflection and witnessed by a GDC registered Dentist experienced in alginate impressions with feedback on areas of strengths and areas for improvement.

 Add detail of all assessment and links to unit specifications https://www.sqa.org.uk/files/hn/FN3P35.pdf

Inclusive education is an approach which recognises and values diversity to allow the diverse learning needs and preferences of individual candidates to be identified and addresses at the earliest opportunity.

We aim to deliver education and training in a way that is inclusive to all candidates, to ensure every candidate has a positive learning experience and outcome.

Public Services Delivery Scotland will actively identify and where possible remove barriers and make reasonable adjustments to learning and assessments.

The charge for this course is £60 along with a current Qualifications Scotland registration fee of £13

To apply to undertake the programme, applicants must:

1. Have current registration with the GDC.

2. Be working as a dental nurse in a dental setting and can access the range of patients, to access the relevant practical experience to meet the assessment requirements of this qualification.

3. Be able to attend every study day and complete all requirements of this qualification within the duration of the programme.

4. Have the support of their workplace to undertake this qualification.

For any queries email: Lucy Mitchell, Programme Lead, lucy.mitchell@nhs.scot or DCP Hub dcp.hub@nes.scot.nhs.uk