Dental Care Professionals

Aim of the Programme: 

To develop the knowledge, skills, and practical competence required for registered dental care professionals to safely and effectively take intra- and extra-oral clinical dental photographs, working to a dentist’s prescription 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. Explain the technical aspects of the equipment required to produce clinical dental photographs for patient assessment and record keeping
2. Explain the legislation and professional guidance that relates to taking and storing clinical dental photographs.
3. Produce a range of intra and extra oral clinical dental photographs to the required standard and to the prescription of a dentist.
4. Evaluate own skills in producing clinical photographs and identify areas for self-development.

This programme has 3 study sessions. All study sessions for this programme will be delivered online. 

Attendance at all study sessions is mandatory. 

Candidates are provided with guidance and instructions to access online study sessions which will consist of teaching, assessment, and portfolio work. 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 sessions and completion of assessments.

Candidates will be required to successfully complete the programme’s assessment to be awarded the Higher National Unit: Intra and Extra Oral Clinical Dental Photography for Dental Care Professionals 

Closed book assessment paper 

The candidate will undertake a closed book assessment paper to demonstrate their knowledge in Outcomes 1 & 2. The paper will consist of a range of different question types: 

• Multiple choice questions
• Short answer questions
• Extended answer questions
• Labelling images

Patient Logs 

The candidate will complete a minimum 10 intra and extra oral clinical photographs under the prescription of a dentist. To the range of 8 Adult and 2 Child cases. 

All logs must include self- reflection and witnessed by a GDC registrant experienced in clinical dental photography with feedback on areas of strengths and areas for improvement. 

Assessments have been created in line with the Qualification Scotland unit specification https://www.sqa.org.uk/files/hn/H94335.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.

Fees and Entry requirements The charge for this course is £45 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.