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FACULTY OF HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
BDS PROGRAMME HANDBOOK (A200, A201)
ACADEMIC SESSION 2016-17
On request, information in this Handbook can be made available in an alternative format. Please contact the
DENTAL SCHOOL OFFICE Note: Please refer to the Your University Handbook in reference to University policies and procedures not contained within this programme-specific handbook.
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Dear Student On behalf of everyone here, a very warm welcome to the School of Dentistry. This Handbook has been written to provide all the information you need to help you understand how the School is organised, where you can obtain further information and assistance, what you can expect from the School and your department, and also what we expect from you. You should read it thoroughly during the early weeks of your programme, and also keep it handy for reference during your time as a student at the University. I hope that by the end of your student career you will have come to regard this Handbook as a well-known, good and trusted companion. With every good wish for a happy and successful student career. Prof Callum Youngson Head of School
Purpose of the handbook This handbook aims to be a guide to life in the School of Dentistry. It contains information on the structure of the School, its staff, its committees, and other important information. It does not replace any other communications you receive from the University, Faculty, or individual subject department, but should be read in conjunction with them. Please note that this handbook is specific to the 2016/17 entry cohort and is updated annually. You can always access the most current version by visiting the School’s VITAL site https://vital.liv.ac.uk/webapps/login/
This handbook covers the following programmes: A200 BDS 5-year programme A201 BDS 4-year Graduate Entry pathway This handbook should be used in conjunction with the relevant Programme Specifications, the relevant BDS Assessment Handbook and the individual Year and Course Handbooks (all found on VITAL - https://vital.liv.ac.uk/webapps/login/) and the Your University Handbook.
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Table of Contents
A. SCHOOL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 School Contact Information ....................................................................................................... 4 1.2 The School of Dentistry .............................................................................................................. 6 1.3 LUDSS ......................................................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Alumni Assocation ...................................................................................................................... 7 1.5 The Liverpool University Dental Hospital .................................................................................. 7 1.6 Mission Statement ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.7 Scholarship & Prizes ................................................................................................................... 9
B. OUR LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT APPROACH 2.1 School Learning and Teaching.................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Attendance ............................................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Communication with students ................................................................................................. 13 2.4 Provision of Feedback to Students .......................................................................................... 14 2.5 Wednesday afternoons ............................................................................................................ 14 2.6 Health and Safety ..................................................................................................................... 14 2.7 Raising concerns ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.8 The Degree Classification system............................................................................................. 15
D. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS ........................................................................................................ 17 3.1 Developing key skills, including study skills ............................................................................. 17 3.2 Support and Advice within the School ..................................................................................... 17 3.3 Academic Advisors ................................................................................................................... 17 3.4 Student Representation ........................................................................................................... 18 3.5 Attendance & Absence Policy .................................................................................................. 19 3.5.1 Attendance at the BDS Programme ………………………………………………………………………. 19 3.5.2 Absence from the BDS Programme ............................................................................. 19
3.5.2.1 Absence due to sickness…………………………………………………………………………… 19 3.5.2.2 Personal requests for absence…………………………………………………………………. 22
3.6 Extenuating Circumstances ...................................................................................................... 23 3.7 Student Conduct ................................................................................................................... 24
Appendix 1 Policy on Raising Concerns (‘whistle blowing’)…………………………………………………………. 25 Appendix 2 Policy on meeting with Parents/Guardians re student progression …………………………. 26 Appendix 3 Policy on Responding to Student Communications regarding Examination Performance …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27 Appendix 4 Policy on Clinical Attire and Presentation………………………………………………………………… 28
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A. SCHOOL INFORMATION
1.1 SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
School of Dentistry Pembroke Place
The University of Liverpool LIVERPOOL
L3 5PS
Admissions 0151-706 5298
General Enquiries/ Administration Office 0151-706 5275
Head of School: 0151-706 5202
Senior Tutor: 0151-706 5225
School of Dentistry Fax No: 0151-706 5845
Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk/dentistry/
University Switchboard: 0151-794 2000
Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals Switchboard:
0151-706 2000
Notes:
1. In this publication, words signifying the masculine shall include the feminine except in relation to matters which are the subject of exemption under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
2. The matters covered by this edition are subject to change from time to time. 3. Admission to the University is subject to the requirement that the student will comply with the
University’s registration procedure and will duly observe its Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and Rules.
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Staff Contacts in the School
School of Dentistry Officers
Name Role Email Phone Number Prof Callum Youngson Head of the School of Dentistry [email protected] (0151) 706 5202
Dr Sondos Albadri Deputy Head of School [email protected] (0151) 706 5301
Dr Liam Boyle Assistant Head of School/ Director of BDS programme
[email protected] (0151) 706 5230
Miss Lynne Millsopp Senior Tutor [email protected] (0151) 706 5225
Dr Phil Smith Disability Officer [email protected] (0151) 706 5206
Dr Tony Preston Assessment Officer [email protected] (0151) 706 5111
Ms Lyn Jones Safety Co-ordinator [email protected] (0151) 706 5074
Professor Luke Dawson Director of Undergraduate Education
[email protected] (0151) 706 5273
Mrs Victoria Kewley Director of DCP programmes [email protected] (0151) 706 5233
Dr Phil Smith Director of PG programmes [email protected] (0151) 706 5206
The full list of the academic staff of the School and their contact details can be found on the School of Dentistry website (http://www.liv.ac.uk/dentistry/staff/). Specific Staff relevant to the BDS programmes are:
BDS Officers
Name Role Email Phone Number
Professor Luke Dawson Director of Undergraduate Education
[email protected] (0151) 706 5273
Dr Liam Boyle Director of BDS programme [email protected] (0151) 706 5230
Dr Pete Smith Teaching Lead for 1st BDS [email protected] (0151) 706 5295
Dr Richard Smith Teaching Lead for OSM [email protected] (0151) 706 5118
Dr John Smalley Teaching Lead for OSM [email protected] (0151) 706 5272
Dr Fadi Jarad Teaching Lead for Restorative Dentistry
[email protected] (0151) 706 5219
Dr Kathryn Fox Teaching Lead for Restorative Dentistry
[email protected] (0151) 706 5248
Dr Kate Taylor Teaching Lead for Oral Diseases [email protected] (0151) 706 5245
Dr Norah Flannigan Teaching Lead for Orthodontics [email protected] (0151) 706 5210
Dr Sondos Albadri Teaching Lead for Paediatric Dentistry
[email protected] (0151) 706 5301
Dr Y Dailey Teaching Lead for Dental Public Health
[email protected] (0151) 706 5233
Professor Shelagh Thompson
Teaching Lead for Special Care Dentistry
[email protected] (0151) 706 5215
The following table gives details of selected administrative staff that you might need to contact. The School of Dentistry Office and the Postgraduate Office is on the 4
th Floor of the Dental Hospital.
Administrative Support Staff
Name Role Email Phone Number
Ms Lisbeth Baron School Administrator [email protected] (0151) 706 5132
Mrs Andrea Bryant Student Experience Team Leader [email protected] (0151) 706 5983
Mrs Maria Doran PA to Head of School [email protected] (0151) 706 5202
Mr David Thornton e-Learning Unit [email protected] (0151) 706 5300
Mr Matt Cripps e-Learning Unit [email protected] (0151) 706 5036
Ms Katie Bradley Student Experience Administrator (1
st, 2
nd and 3
rd BDS)
[email protected] (0151) 706 5275
Miss Kim Hedges Student Experience Administrator (4
th and 5
th BDS)
[email protected] (0151) 706 5652
Mrs Julie Crosbie-Chown
Student clinical co-ordinator and PA to the Assistant Head of School
[email protected] (0151) 706 5227
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1.2 The School of Dentistry The Liverpool Dental Hospital began training dentists in 1864, receiving full recognition from the Royal College of Surgeons in 1876. The Dental School was incorporated into the University of Liverpool in 1899. The University established the Louis Cohen Chair in Dental Surgery in 1920 as the first professorship in dentistry in the UK and Liverpool was one of the first universities in Britain to recognise the importance of science and research in dentistry by founding a Chair in Dental Science in 1963. Dental education and research in Liverpool has, therefore, a long and innovative tradition. The University’s School of Dentistry is closely integrated with the Liverpool University Dental Hospital, which is part of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust and is housed in a building on the Pembroke Place area of the University Campus. The School offers undergraduate provision in the form of the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) including a 4-year graduate entry pathway and a Combined Diploma in Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene. Undergraduate BDS students with a particular aptitude may interrupt their dental course for one year in order to study for an intercalated BSc. The School has a research Postgraduate programme, the DDSc Doctor in Dental Science, with pathways in Orthodontics, Endodontics and Special Care Dentistry. The School has links with the offices of the Postgraduate Dental Dean, who is concerned with the higher training of specialists in dentistry and with the continuing education required of all dentists working within the National Health Service. In particular, the Postgraduate Deans are responsible for the Dental Foundation Training year which is mandatory for all new UK dental graduates entering practice in the NHS, and who recruit graduates to their first placements in general dental practice. 1.3 LUDSS
The Liverpool University Dental Students’ Society (LUDSS) caters not only for your social and sporting requirements but can also assist with any academic problems you may have. Highlights include the annual Autumn Ball, a formal occasion for staff and students alike, sports day, book sales, guest speakers and other similar events. Membership is on payment of a lifetime subscription fee of £60 and all students are encouraged and expected to join.
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1.4 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The Liverpool University Dental Alumni Association is an organisation that helps members to keep in contact with the Dental School and also with other Liverpool dental graduates throughout the world, which can be particularly useful to those looking for practice vacancies and those planning to travel abroad. Each year, a Newsletter is circulated to all members giving news of the Dental School, Dental Students’ Society, news of members and articles of interest. Details of the Annual Meeting and Dinner, and the AGM, are given and ten-year reunions are encouraged. Each year is encouraged to have a Year Representative who keeps in touch with the Honorary Secretary and has access to the latest list of addresses of members of his/her year. This facilitates the organising of reunions of individual years. Payment of a single subscription of £30 on graduation provides life membership. 1.5 THE LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY DENTAL HOSPITAL Liverpool University Dental Hospital is an integral part of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust. Located on the main teaching hospital campus, the Dental Hospital occupies a self-contained building on Pembroke Place, originally constructed in the late 1960s. In recent years it has undergone a series of major refurbishments, which have significantly extended and upgraded its surgeries, teaching clinics and patient waiting areas. A further investment of £6m took place over the period 2007-10 to further enhance the teaching facilities for undergraduates. The Hospital has approximately 160 dental units, a day case unit, a purpose-built IV sedation unit, a large and well-equipped x-ray department, six 20-unit teaching clinics, consultation and teaching suites for oral medicine and oral surgery. A ground floor extension houses the Hospital’s own Oral Diagnosis department, alongside surgeries for dental extraction and minor oral surgery and a purpose-built general anaesthetic extractions suite. One of very few purpose-built Special Care Dentistry suites in the UK, is present on the ground floor with its own, dedicated, entrance. There are 80-85,000 patient attendances per year, 12-15,000 as self-referrals through the Oral Diagnosis department Specialist departments include Restorative Dentistry (Conservation, Prosthetics, Periodontology, Endodontics), Paediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine and Special Care Dentistry as well as a Dental Sedation Unit. There are strong links with the Regional Maxillofacial Unit at the Aintree Hospitals Trust, a leading centre nationally for the treatment of oral cancer; many of this Unit’s consultants hold sessions in the Dental Hospital. The Regional Cleft Palate Unit, which is sited in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, holds weekly joint sessions at the Dental Hospital.
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1.6 MISSION STATEMENT The Liverpool University Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry can be considered as a single institution which exists in order to: 1. Deliver high-quality, research-led, clinical and academic teaching using a blend of PBL,
symposia and traditional methods. The focus is to develop the potential of each individual student to deliver good, patient-centred, clinical care to their patients before and after graduation, in line with the requirements for registration with the General Dental Council. The emphasis on continual development is to help the student to prepare for the life-long learning embedded within the profession; and the School’s assessment strategy reinforces this by using objective, reliable and valid longitudinal assessments, with timely feedback, to help in the development of the student.
2. Provide dental services to the Merseyside community as follows: (a) primary dental care to an extent necessary to provide dental undergraduate training; (b) a complete range of secondary and tertiary dental care for patients referred for those
purposes; (c) the development of preventive dentistry commensurate with undergraduate training
needs, in collaboration with the Community Dental Services throughout the Merseyside area.
3. Provide postgraduate training and clinical facilities for continuing education of dental
practitioners, hospital dentists and community dentists. 4. Provide training for Dental Care Professionals, including Dental Hygiene/Therapists. 5. Actively promote dental research at laboratory, clinical and community levels, and closely
integrate this as far as possible with local research programmes in the Health Service and University.
6. Contribute through its core of expertise to the development and conduct of the work of the
University of Liverpool, the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, and the local professional networks; and to collaborate with these bodies in the promotion of oral health throughout the Merseyside area.
7. Contribute to the national and international promotion of oral science, oral health and the
dental profession.
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1.7 SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES Full Regulations for the following awards may be seen in the Student Administration & Support Division, Foundation Building. Mark Ball Memorial Prize Awarded on the recommendation of the 3rd BDS Board of Examiners to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the Critical Appraisal assignment submitted by 3rd BDS students. Thomas H Bickerton Prize Awarded to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 1st BDS Basic Medical Sciences papers 1 & 2. Philip G Capon Prize Awarded annually to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 2nd BDS Oral Science & Medicine Knowledge examinations (EMI & Slide). Dental Alumni Prize Two Prizes, both to be called 'The Dental Alumni Prize', shall be awarded as follows:
One prize to be awarded to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 3rd BDS Oral Science & Medicine Knowledge examinations (EMI & Slide).
One prize to be awarded to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 3rd BDS Oral Science & Medicine Knowledge Critical Reasoning Paper.
Richard Edwards Scholarship Three scholarships, known as 'The Richard Edwards Scholarships', shall be awarded annually and be tenable for one year on the following basis:
One scholarship, to be known as the Richard Edwards Scholarship (Basic Dental Sciences), to be awarded to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 1st BDS Basic Dental Science Exam.
One scholarship, to be known as the Richard Edwards Scholarship (Communication Skills), to be awarded to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 1st BDS Communication Skills OSCE.
One scholarship, to be known as the Richard Edwards Scholarship (CRE), to be awarded to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 2nd BDS Clinical Readiness Exam.
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Malcolm Foster Medal The medal, to be called 'The Malcolm Foster Medal', shall be awarded to the final year student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best combined mark in the Final BDS EMI and OSCE examinations. Gilmour Prize Two Prizes shall be awarded as follows:
One prize, to be known as the Gilmour Prize (Restorative Dentistry), to be awarded to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the summer diet of 4th BDS Restorative examination and consistently demonstrates clinical excellence in the field of Restorative Dentistry.
One prize, to be known as the Gilmour Prize (Oral Health), to be awarded to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the summer diet of 4th BDS Oral Health examination and consistently demonstrates clinical excellence in the field of Oral Health.
Robert Grieve Memorial Prize Awarded annually to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 2nd BDS Oral Science & Medicine Knowledge Critical Reasoning Paper. The Walter Thomas Prize (EMI) Awarded annually to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the Final BDS EMI examination. The Walter Thomas Prize (OSCE) .Awarded annually to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the Final BDS OSCE examination. The Frank Lawton Medal in Conservative Dentistry
The Lawton medal shall be awarded annually to the final year student who has demonstrated the highest standard of operative skill in the field of advanced conservative dentistry during the provision of total oral care. HR Williams Prize Awarded once a year to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the summer diet of 4th BDS Oral Diseases examination and consistently demonstrates clinical excellence in the field of Oral Diseases.
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Raj Srivastava Prize in Professionalism Awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the Final BDS Board of Examiners, has evidenced exemplary professionalism during their time on the BDS course.
University Scholarship Prizes The prizes, funded by the University Scholarship monies, to be awarded annually and each to the value of shall be as follows:
One prize, to be known as the University Scholarship Prize for Oral Health, to be awarded to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the Oral Health report submitted by 1st BDS students.
One prize, to be known as the University Scholarship Prize for Clinical Core Knowledge, to be awarded to the student who, at the first summative attempt, achieves the best overall mark in the 3rd BDS Clinical Core Knowledge Paper.
One prize, to be known as the University Scholarship Prize (CDS Placement), to be awarded to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the CDS Placement report submitted by Final BDS students.
One prize, to be known as the University Scholarship Prize (Restorative Case Reports), to be awarded to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the GDS Placement report submitted by Final BDS students.
One prize, to be known as the University Scholarship Prize (Orthodontic Report), to be awarded to the student who achieves the best overall mark in the Orthodontic report submitted by Final BDS students.
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B. OUR LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT APPROACH
2.1 School Learning and Teaching
Within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences the Dental School has a strong learning and teaching culture, supported by research and other scholarly activities. It provides undergraduates, and students of the professions complementary to dentistry, with the first stage of their life-long learning working closely with postgraduate institutions that will provide their continuing professional development. It recognises the need to provide not only core knowledge and understanding, but also the skills of self directed education that the students will need throughout their professional lives. In addition to the knowledge, understanding and communications skills, required by all students at the university, the dental school recognises its responsibility to develop the professionalsim, and management and leadership skills alongside a high degree of manual dexterity to enable the clinical procedures that are essential in dentistry. These skills must be coupled with both clinical and academic knowledge to ensure the development of competent professionals.
The full School Learning and Teaching Strategy can be found on VITAL, in the Assessment Handbooks and the Programme Specifications.
2.2 Attendance A student is permitted to proceed with his/her approved programme of study only if acceptable progress is made. This will be evidenced by attendance satisfactory to the Head of School, by maintaining satisfactory results in relevant assessments and by the proper completion of such other work as may be allotted to the individual concerned. Attendance at all lectures, practice placements, practical sessions, clinics, small group teaching and PBL sessions i.e. tutorials is compulsory unless otherwise indicated. The minimum attendance in the academic components of each year of the programme will be not less than 90%. Absences from clinical components may have to be compensated for by additional attendance arranged during study/reading weeks and/or holidays. It is essential to observe strict adherence to this regulation. All programmes have procedures for monitoring student attendance, sickness and absence that are consistent with University and Faculty rules and regulations.
The processes outlined in the policy document describe in detail how the School will operate University rules and regulations and undertake quality assurance activities in relation to monitoring student attendance.
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2.3 Communication with students
Incoming students are provided with a University email account and once your registration is completed, all
University communications will be sent to this account. It is very important that you check this daily during
term-time, and also regularly during vacation periods.
Email is usually not a good way to get an answer to an urgent query: you will generally get the information
you need more readily by visiting the School Office or seeing your tutor in lectures or during their office
contact hours.
If you do email academic staff or professional services staff, please do so only from your University email
account. Write in a professional, polite style, and remember to use an appropriate greeting and sign-off in
all mails.
When contacting the School Office, it is important to indicate your student ID number, which degree
programme you are on and your year of study in all communications.
Academic and professional services staff will not normally reply to emails outside of normal office hours—
in other words you should not expect a reply to your email in the evenings or at the weekend.
Please try to find information in this handbook or through the School or University web pages or on VITAL
in the first instance; if you cannot find what you are looking for, let us know so that we can post that
information for the benefit of other students. The School Office will also be able to answer many of your
non-academic queries.
VITAL
Students are expected to monitor information concerning their programme regularly via your VITAL
programme page. The page contains links to staff-student liaison committee minutes, Assessment and
Clinical handbooks, programme specifications and other important documentation. It is regularly updated
with news and information relevant to students.
School website
The School website can be found at http://www.liv.ac.uk/dentistry/. There is also a site for current
students that can be found at : https://www.liv.ac.uk/intranet/dentistry/
External post
Sometimes we need to contact you via the external postal system so it is important that your school is kept
informed of any changes to your address – both term-time and vacation. You can update your details via
Liverpool Life. Please ensure that your postal details and mobile phone details are accurate and up to
date. These can be updated using Liverpool Life.
Telephone contact All staff have a direct telephone number and some have voicemail. Staff numbers can be found on the School’s webpage at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/dentistry/staff/
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Calls made from outside the University or from a mobile require the full number. If you are dialling from outside the UK, use the prefix +44 (151).
2.4 Provision of Feedback to Students
The School Policy on Feedback to students complies with section 11 of the University Code of Practice on Assessment. We recognise that feedback on performance has much educational value, and that it should be as specific and timely as practicable, relating to the assessment criteria.
The School Policy on Feedback to Students can be found in the BDS Assessment Handbook. The Handbook can be found on VITAL along with the School Policy for Teaching and Learning.
2.5 Wednesday Afternoons Unlike the rest of the University, formal learning and teaching sessions are normally scheduled on Wednesday afternoons during term time. This is to ensure that we meet the European Union’s requirements for comparable hours of training across the EU to allow the free movement of workers.
2.6 Health and Safety Student safety is very important to us – it is one of the University’s highest priorities. We are committed to providing you with a safe learning and living environment but we can only achieve this if we have your full support.
In the same way we expect all our staff to work to high safety standards, we ask that you take health and safety seriously by:
Taking reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others;
Acting in accordance with University safety rules. When it comes to the treatment of patients, clinical dental students must accept that patients of the Liverpool University Dental Hospital have a right to expect suitable standards of quality and safety when receiving care. Dental students are, therefore, expected to adopt a professional level of behaviour and appearance, and to exercise a professional level of care and clinical skills.
As a minimum you should:
Familiarise yourself with the fire procedures in buildings, including what to do if you discover a fire, what to do if the alarm sounds and where to assemble should you have to evacuate the building. The normal way into a building may not be available to you in a fire situation so ensure you know what alternative routes exist.
Know the number to use in an emergency – on the NHS telephone system this is 2222
Never wedge open fire doors or obstruct escape routes.
Always report accidents, near misses or dangerous conditions to a responsible member of the Department.
Always follow any health and safety instructions you are given.
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There is a lot more information and this can be found at http://www.liv.ac.uk/safety/ In practical/laboratory departments there is a safety code/handbook which sets out departmental safety arrangements in detail. If you have any problems or questions about safety, raise them with a member of teaching staff or with your Departmental Safety Coordinator, who is: Ms Lyn Jones (0151 706 5074 or [email protected] ) 2.7 Raising concerns Within all organisations there should be a culture of openness, embodied in the term candour, to critical feedback and they must provide support for those who raise concerns. The School welcomes the raising of concerns by all members of the dental community; students, dental staff, technical staff, nursing staff, other auxiliary staff and patients. The School is open to receiving all statements by patients and/or anyone accompanying them. To this end the School has a Policy on raising concerns (see appendix 1).
2.8 The Degree Classification system In common with most Universities in the UK Liverpool’s BDS is an ‘unclassified’ degree. Calculation of the final Award is based upon performance in the 3rd-5th BDS Examinations. Final BDS Examination i. The Final BDS Examination comprises the Final Clinical Assessment Panel, Final Knowledge Paper and Final OSCE. ii. Students must pass the Final Clinical Assessment Panel and other course requirements in order to sit the Final BDS Knowledge Paper and Final BDS OSCE. The Final Clinical Assessment Panel shall meet not less than one month in advance of the Final Examination to consider the clinical competence of all individual candidates, and thereby determine the list of candidates to be admitted to the Final Examination. Failure to pass the Final Clinical Assessment Panel would result in a student being required to undertake further clinical attachments in order to meet the requirements to proceed to the Final Examination. iii. The Final Knowledge Paper and OSCE assess general dentistry, covering the entire spectrum of knowledge studied over the five years of the BDS programme. The three main subjects of General Dentistry covered are Oral Health, Oral Diseases and Restorative Dentistry For each subject there shall be a Senior Examiner appointed by the Head of School, and an External Examiner1 nominated by the Board of Studies. The Board of Examiners shall comprise the Head of the 1 It is currently a requirement of the GDC for all BDS programmes that External Examiners participate in the clinical assessment of
patients for all Final BDS students.
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School of Dentistry (who shall be its Chair), the Director of the BDS and the Senior Examiner and External Examiner for each subject. For the Final Knowledge Paper, marks will be identified for each of the three disciplines for the purpose of determining distinctions. The quality assurance protocols for the examinations will ensure that: (a) the level and consistency of marks allocated by the internal examiners is appropriate; (b) that there are no arithmetical or mechanical errors of mark allocation; (c) that any unusual pattern of distribution of marks is identified and reported to the Board of Examiners before final decisions about individual candidates are taken. iv. The Internal Examiners for each subject shall decide on the questions for the examination, which shall then be sent to the External Examiner for approval or amendment if necessary.
BDS programme In order to achieve the degree of BDS, students must successfully pass the Final BDS Clinical Assessment Panel, the Final BDS Knowledge Paper and the Final OSCE, independently. Requirements for the Award of Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Honours Candidates must normally be attempting the Final Examination for the first time and should normally have passed each component of the preliminary year examinations at the first attempt. Calculation of the final Award is based upon performance in the 3rd-5th BDS examinations. Students with a combined mark (rounded to nearest integer) of 75% or more will be awarded honours. A combined mark will be calculated with the following weightings: • 12.5% - OSM Core Knowledge (3rd year) • 12.5% - OSM Critical Reasoning (3rd year) • 6.25% - Clinical Core Knowledge (3rd year) • 6.25% - Oral Diseases (4th year) • 6.25% - Oral Health (4th year) • 6.25% Restorative (4th year) • 25% - Single Best Answer papers (Finals) • 25% - OSCE (Finals)
Requirements for the mark of Distinction in any Subject Candidates must normally be attempting the Final Examination for the first time and should normally have passed each component of the preliminary year examinations at the first attempt. The mark of distinction is determined based on performance in the BDS Finals Knowledge Exam. Marks will be determined within the knowledge paper for each of the three disciplines (Oral Health, Oral Diseases and Restorative Dentistry) for the purpose of determining distinctions.
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D. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
3.1 Developing key skills, including study skills
The BDS encourages the development of key transferable skills, which underpin the lifelong education and training. These include communication skills, team-working, problem-solving and time management. Please see the programme specification for further details on how these skills are developed and assessed throughout the BDS programme.
3.2 Support and Advice within the School
The School Student Support Team can help if you are experiencing serious difficulties with any aspect of University life. You can contact members of the team below and they will be happy to meet with students by appointment.
Name Title Telephone No E-mail
Mrs J Crosbie-Chown Administrative Support for Pastoral Care Team
0151 706 5227 [email protected]
Ms L Millsopp Senior Tutor 0151 706 5225 [email protected]
Dr P Smith Deputy Senior Tutor 0151 706 5206 [email protected]
Please also see the School Senior Tutor Support webpages for useful information and advice: https://www.liv.ac.uk/intranet/dentistry/seniortutorsupport/
The central University Student Support services can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/ The School of Dentistry has a School Office on the fourth floor of the Dental Hospital which is open daily. The staff will be able to answer many non-academic enquiries or direct you to the appropriate member of staff or department outside the School to assist you. You will sometimes be asked to hand in work or other items to the School Office so you should familiarise yourself with the location.
3.3 Academic Advisors
At the start of your first year you will be assigned an individual Academic Advisor who will be familiar with all elements of this complex programme. Your Academic Advisor may change as you progress along the programme and become more involved with clinical development. In addition the Dental School also has a number of key staff who take Teaching Lead roles that are relevant to your year of study and progression, alongside the pastoral care team (See ‘BDS Officers’ on page 5). Every student has access to their Academic Advisor and to the Teaching Leads to provide appropriate support to help students fulfil their academic potential during the course of their studies. You can make appointments to meet staff members throughout the course of your programme to discuss your progress.
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You will be encouraged to meet with your Academic Advisor at least once every term to discuss your progress, to identify strengths and areas of weakness and start to take responsibility for addressing them, and to encourage your development as independent learners. Your first meeting will be during Welcome Week and may take place as a group meeting, to discuss the role of the Academic Advisor, what it is for, and to explore your motivations, initial expectations and any concerns.
3.4 Student Representation All students are encouraged to stand for election to the School Staff-Student Liaison Committees.
The School has 3 Staff-Student Liaison Committees (SSLC) to cater for the diverse nature of the students. Membership and Terms of Reference are attached. All 3 SSLCs meet 3 times per year and conform to the University Code of Practice on Student Representation https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/student-enhancement/student-representation/cop_on_student_representation.pdf
The three SSLCs are:
The BDS SSLC, comprising representatives from each year of the A200 and A201 programmes;
The Dental Care Professionals SSLC, comprising representatives from Diploma students at the Accrington DEC plus students based at the Liverpool University Dental Hospital;
The Postgraduate SSLC, comprising representatives from each year of the Doctoral level programmes.
Reports from SSLCs will be discussed by the BDS Management, DCP and PG Management Groups, the Board of Studies and the Student Experience Committee. Any resultant action will be reported back to students and summarised in the Annual Subject Review report.
All Student Representatives on Staff-Student Liaison Committees are offered training and support by the Guild of Students and may have an opportunity to represent the School/Department on Faculty Committees, or at the University Senate. You can find out more information about what being a student representative entails on the Guild website: http://www.liverpoolguild.org/
3.5 Attendance & Absence Policy The School of Dentistry is part of the University of Liverpool and as such is subject to the institutional guidance over attendance & absence.
This document sets out the procedures for the School of Dentistry that reflect the requirements of the University, along with those of the Profession stipulated by the General Dental Council.
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3.5.1 Attendance at the BDS Programme The BDS is a full-time programme. This means that attendance must be ‘sufficient’ to satisfy both the University and the General Dental Council. Under normal circumstances ‘sufficient’ would be considered to be:
• 100% at clinics (including practice placements, practical sessions), unless there has been arrangements made in advance, or due to certified illness.
• 90% at academic activities (Lectures, PBL, Small group teaching (not on clinics)), unless there has been arrangements made in advance, or due to certified illness.
All attendance will be actively monitored, and falling below the above stated levels WILL impact on the Professionalism domain, and may result in the student being interviewed by the Head of School (or their designated representative). A formal warning will be given, and recorded on the student record. In more serious cases students who fail to attend required activity may be referred to Progress Panels acting on behalf of Boards of Examiners. In extreme cases failure to attend could result in Fitness to Practice proceedings in compliance with GDC requirements over student standards.
3.5.2 Absence from the BDS Programmes Under normal circumstances absence will not be granted from the BDS. However, it is appreciated that on occasion circumstances require absence from the programme. These will be considered under: (a) absence due to Sickness; and (b) personal requests for absence. Irrespective of the cause the basic principles of informing a specific member of staff both when unable to attend, and upon return to the programme apply. Failure to do so will be recorded as an absence and impact on the Professionalism domain.
3.5.2.1 Absence due to sickness
All absences must be notified to the clinical coordinator at once using the dedicated email address [email protected]. This also includes leaving the Dental School, or a clinic, early due to being unwell. This communication route allows any emergency changes to clinics to be made, and compliance with this policy is considered to be an important part of your Professionalism.
If a patient is affected by the absence a student must also immediately telephone the clinical coordinator detailing which patients need to be managed.
On return from sickness you must complete a pink Self-Certification form (available in the School office) and return it signed and dated to the clinical coordinator. N.B. Self-Certification cannot be accepted if submitted more than two weeks following the date of illness. This will be actively monitored, and is considered an important part of your Professionalism. Compliance with this policy is considered to be an important part of your Professionalism.
Absence through illness for periods longer than five consecutive days must be supported by a medical certificate authorised by a medical practitioner and should be submitted to the Head of School. Failure to provide a valid medical certificate will result in an investigation.
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Absence through illness from exams must be supported by a medical certificate authorised by a medical practitioner and should be submitted to the Head of School.
Two Certificates are permitted in any term – i.e. a student can self-certify for illnesses of less than 5 days, 2 times per term. Multiple episodes of illness in a term would be a trigger to the Senior Tutor getting involved to help support the students.
Retrospective certification is not generally acceptable to Boards of Examiners.
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3.5.2.2 Personal requests for absence
• For a personal request for absence a white leave of absence form (available from the School office) must be completed.
• It is necessary for the student to:
• inform and gain signatures from any member of staff whose teaching/clinic they are missing.
• ensure that no patients are inconvenienced, or put at risk.
• inform and gain a signature from the Assistant Head of School.
• The student must understand that through taking this kind of absence that:
• they are taking full responsibility for the time they are missing, and the implications that this may have on their progression through lost clinical and/or teaching time.
• they understand that due to the constraints of timetabling that the School may not be able to replace this time.
• The School considers the following to be reasonable requests for personal absence, but accepts that this list is not exhaustive:
• Bereavement
• Serious illness affecting a close family member
• Unforeseeable or unpreventable events
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3.6 Extenuating Circumstances Written examinations Students sometimes perform more poorly in assessments than their previous performance or achievements would have predicted. Sometimes this poor performance can be attributed, or partially attributed, to particular circumstances beyond the control of the student. These circumstances are described as ‘extenuating circumstances’ if they are accepted in mitigation of the poorer than expected performance. When a Board of Examiners accepts that there have been extenuating circumstances, it will usually not regard the student’s poorer than expected performance at its face value in making decisions about the student’s progress in studies or final degree award. Where circumstances are accepted in mitigation of poorer than expected performance students may be allowed (where practicable) to retake the assessment as if it were a first attempt. Extenuating circumstances may, for example, include:
Illness affecting the student Bereavement Serious illness affecting a close family member Unforeseeable or unpreventable events
Independent documentary evidence, such as medical certificates, must be provided in all cases to verify extenuating circumstances. If extenuating circumstances affect your studies then it is your responsibility to report all circumstances which you wish to be taken into consideration. You should complete the extenuating circumstances application form available from http://www.liv.ac.uk/student-administration/exams/extenuating-circumstances/ and send it to Mrs Andrea Bryant on the fourth floor of the Dental Hospital. You should report such extenuating circumstances as soon as possible (normally within five days) after the events under consideration occur, and no later than one week before the meeting of the Board of Examiners at which the assessment concerned will be considered. You are also advised to speak to the Senior Tutor, Ms Millsopp ([email protected]) for advice about the Extenuating Circumstances procedure.
If you are unable to attend an examination or assessment which counts towards the final mark of a component owing to illness or other unavoidable circumstances, you must inform the School, preferably in writing or by email (to [email protected]), before the examination or assessment deadline, in order for the absence to be regarded as authorised. Provided that acceptable evidence of ‘good cause’ for such absence (e.g. a medical note) is presented for consideration by the Extenuating Circumstances Committee in accordance with the procedures set out in the Extenuating Circumstances Policy, you would be granted a right to re-sit as a first attempt (unless the examination missed was not a ‘first attempt’ examination). Only in exceptional circumstances, where a Board of Examiners, on the advice of the Extenuating Circumstances Committee, judges that it was not feasible for a student to have provided prior notification, will a student who is absent from an examination or fails to submit an assessment without informing their Department in advance, be granted a ‘first attempt’ re-take.
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In clinical Dentistry assessments involve direct contact with the public (or simulations) and so there is an ethical obligation to protect the public. Where a student is aware of a pre-existing extenuating circumstance that may adversely affect their performance, the professional requirement (Standards for the Dental Team, GDC, 2013), is that they should not practise until well enough to do so. The student should therefore not undertake the clinical assessment (including OSCE, longitudinal assessments and “phantom head” pre-clinical-exposure examinations that take place in a fully simulated clinical environment and where assessments of professionalism occur) and present their extenuating circumstances as outlined within this handbook. A student who attends a clinical assessment will therefore be declaring themselves as fit-to-sit. Lodging of extenuating circumstances retrospectively will be considered as a fitness to practise matter. Where a student becomes unwell during a clinical assessment, the assessment will cease and normal extenuating circumstances procedures will be followed.
Boards of Examiners may determine that a student who is absent from an examination or fails to submit an assessment without good cause (even when they have informed their Department in advance) should not be granted a re-sit attempt without repeating the year of study.
Further advice about the Extenuating Circumstances procedure can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/student-administration/exams/extenuating-circumstances/ including Student Guidelines on how to report extenuating circumstances, how cases are considered, and what action might be taken should your circumstances be accepted, the University's Policy on Extenuating Circumstances in Relation to Performance in Assessments and Examinations and the application form.
The University’s Extenuating Circumstances Policy and Extenuating Circumstances Guidelines for Students are available at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/code-of-practice-on-assessment/appendix_M_cop_assess.pdf
http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/code-of-practice-on-assessment/appendix_M_Annex1_cop_assess.pdf
3.7 Student Conduct The University has Rules Regulating the Conduct of Students. Breaches of these rules are regarded as constituting misconduct. In addition to the University rules students in the School of Dentistry will also be held accountable by the standards laid out in the General Dental Council Document- Student Fitness to Practise available at:
http://www.gdc-uk.org/Newsandpublications/Publications/Publications/StudentFtPApril10web_260310[1].pdf and the School of Dentistry Student Agreement that they will be required to sign at the start of each academic year.
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APPENDIX 1
Policy on Raising Concerns (‘Whistle blowing’)
Within all organisations there should be a culture of openness, embodied in the term candour, to critical feedback and they must provide support for those who raise concerns. The School welcomes the raising of concerns by all members of the dental community; students, dental staff, technical staff, nursing staff, other auxiliary staff and patients. The School is open to receiving all statements by patients and/or anyone accompanying them. The School will follow the guidance provided in Standards for the Dental Team (GDC, 2013) and will bring the need to comply with this to the attention of all dental students and clinical academic staff. Non-clinical and clinical University staff are also required to follow the relevant University policy (http://www.liv.ac.uk/legal/policies/ ) and NHS staff should follow the policy of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals Trust (RLBUHT) (http://www.rlbuht.nhs.uk/). The main areas covered will address:
1) Where abuse, or potential abuse of a child or vulnerable adult is observed or is likely 2) Patients or colleagues being at risk due to the health, behaviour or professional
performance of a colleague 3) Where it is considered that the environment where treatment is provided is unsuitable 4) When a position of power is being abused to exert undue influence
All instances raised should be in writing and should be forwarded to the ‘Raising Concerns Committee’ for consideration. This Committee will meet on an adhoc basis and will feature staff from the Extenuating Circumstances Committee (unless the concern raised affects one, or more, members of this Committee). All issues will be considered confidentially. Minutes will be taken and an appropriate action decided at this meeting. The individual raising the concern will be informed of the recommended action in writing. Anonymous concerns will also be considered within the constraints of this form of raising concerns. Actions may include:
1) Investigation of the concern raised 2) Logging of concerns to determine if a pattern is present 3) Local resolution 4) Progressing the concerns to the relevant organisation (NHS/University) to ensure that
appropriate agencies are informed 5) If the Raising Concerns Committee decides there are no grounds for proceeding further,
the individual making the disclosure, unless anonymous, will be informed.
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APPENDIX 2
Policy on Meeting with Parents/Guardians re Student Progression
Policy on Meeting with Parents/Guardians re Student Progression Introduction Students are self-standing adult learners who have, and must take, responsibility for their own learning under guidance from the School. A key aim of the School of Dentistry is to develop independent learners, and a crucial stage in this process is that each student gains insight into their own learning and can modify their behaviours accordingly. As they develop they should increasingly be able to construct their own plans to help their progression. There are generational differences in the expectations of how education should be delivered and there is also an increasing trend for parents/guardians to become involved in student progression matters (P Redmond, Head of Careers and Employability, University of Liverpool). This phenomenon can hinder inadvertently students’ ability to mature into adult learners. To deal with this even-handedly, and ensure that requests are managed consistently, the School’s policy when requests for meetings (with accompanying parents/guardians) are received is: 1) Under normal circumstances where a request is made to a member of staff based upon
evidence from formative assessments, the request to meet with parents/guardians will be declined and the student counselled personally regarding their progression in the usual manner.
2) Where a student has been unsuccessful in a progression examination, requests for meetings
with the Chair of Board of Examiners are normally accepted and on those occasions University regulations will be followed
3) Where there are significant social or medical issues to be raised, (with or without the
student’s consent), a meeting can be organised by a parent/guardian, the student or the Dental School for all relevant parties (including family members/friends if the student feels it is necessary, with prior arrangement with the School), where that meeting is governed by the principles covering confidentiality.
It is intended that this equip the student for life-long learning whilst ensuring appropriate safeguards are present for the student’s well-being.
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APPENDIX 3
Policy on Responding to Student Communications regarding Examination Performance
Introduction Despite rigorous QA procedures for examinations and systems to acquaint students with examination processes, an increasing number of students inform examiners, after the event, of factors that may have affected their individual performance. This trend may partly result from the increasing ease in accessing communication and a culture that has embraced the use of email and social media to make comments and receive virtually instant responses. This raises a number of issues which may include (but are not limited to): 1) A structural problem in the examination which may affect all (or many) students. 2) The candidate may be seeking individual feedback during the examination process. 3) The candidate may wish to raise a extenuating circumstance. 4) The candidate may be trying to influence their result. Whilst Lead Examiners may receive a number of communications, a procedure should be followed to ensure a consistent approach across the School. The School policy is therefore: Whilst communications will be received and noted, there will not be an individual response to a communication regarding an examination, or an individual performance, thus ensuring that all candidates are treated equitably. Students are directed to the university Code of Practice on Assessment (CoPA) and specific appendices (eg. Appendix M regarding extenuating circumstances). Subsequent processes of feedback and consideration of extenuating circumstances will take part in line with University policy as stated in the CoPA. Where a common concern is raised, regarding a possible procedural irregularity (as noted in 1 above) which had not been detected by the QA procedures, then this will be investigated, and a School-level decision will be made by the Assessment Officer, Programme Director, Lead Examiner, Head of School and External Examiner (if appropriate) regarding any required action. If a warranted concern is found then the Lead Examiner will communicate an appropriate response to the whole cohort. University policies conforming to the CoPA (and relevant Appendices) will be followed.
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APPENDIX 4
Policy on clinical attire and presentation The Student agreement states “I will maintain appropriate standards of dress, appearance and personal hygiene so as not to cause offence to patients, teachers, or colleagues. These standards will also comply with those required of medical professionals involved in surgical care of patients....”
As students work under the signature of a registered professional, they act as a proxy for that of member of staff. Therefore standards of behaviour, dress and appearance must conform to those expected of a registered professional, especially in the presence of patients. As it is some years since the ‘Dress Code’ was first circulated, I would like to take this opportunity to remind the School that all students need to be clean and neat and tidy in their presentation to gain the confidence of their patients. It is therefore not acceptable for students to wear jeans and tee-shirts, shorts, trainers etc. in clinical areas of the Hospital. Those include clinics, patient waiting areas, lifts and clinical simulation laboratories (OSS or MSL). To maintain safety and/or patient confidence, high heeled and/or open toed shoes are not appropriate, nor is wearing a clinical tunic with leggings or black denim trousers. Examples of appropriate dress would be trousers (not denim jeans) or approximately knee-length (or longer) skirts. Skirts which drag on the floor pose a potential personal safety risk and so these should be no longer than ‘near floor length’. Unconventional hairstyles or colourings may require to be covered with a theatre cap. Tattoos which are visible, and which might be deemed offensive to others due to stating a religious or political affiliation, will require to be covered, whilst maintaining compliance with the “Bare below the Elbows” policy. As students treat patients under a member of staff’s signature the staff bear responsibility for the standard of care provided, accordingly, a students may be excluded from clinics if, in the opinion of that supervising member of staff, they do not meet acceptable standards in clinical presentation. Your appearance is very important in gaining patients’ trust and confidence and any deviation from expected standards could reflect badly on you and the School. Your co-operation in adherence to this policy will be appreciated.
