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The Leeds Dental Institute

The Leeds Dental Institute is unique as a Clinical Academic Centre providing high quality education for all levels of dental undergraduate, postgraduate and specialist areas and, in addition, a full range of dental care professional students. Oral Biological Sciences are a significant strength of the School whose key research theme and aspiration is translation of innovative scientific development into clinical practice. We are also well known for our Medical Emergencies expertise.

Teaching Clinics
The establishment of outreach teaching clinics in Bradford, South Leeds and Hull, are cementing relationships of the Institute with the wider healthcare and population community.

Prospective Students
The Leeds Dental Institute is unique in being the only Dental School on mainland Britain to offer inhouse training to all members of the dental team: Dentists (at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels), Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists, Dental Technicians and Dental Nurses. Increasingly, wherever possible, students are taught together as a dental team.

About the Leeds Dental Institute


The Leeds Dental Institute is jointly funded by Leeds University and the United Leeds Hospitals NHS Trust. It provides education for dental undergraduate and postgraduate students, students of dental hygiene and therapy and dental auxilliary staff. It also provides routine dental care for patients in support of undergraduate training and also acts as a referral centre for specialist dental care to the population of Leeds and the surrounding region. The Institute has a Dean/Director (Dr Margaret Kellett) and three other directors: Director of Learning and Teaching (Professor Michael Manogue), Director of Research (Professor Deirdre Devine) and a Clinical Director (Mr Alastair Speirs)

Leeds Dental Institute Faculty of Medicine and Health

Exciting changes to the BChD for 2011/12

Introduction of an Integrated Masters/Bachelors degree in Dental Surgery


For the new intake of students In September 2011 the current undergraduate BChD programme will be replaced by an Integrated Masters/Bachelors degree in Dental Surgery (MChD Dental Surgery, BSc Oral Science). Integrated Masters degrees typically involve 3 years of undergraduate study at Bachelors level preceding further study at Masters level. At the end of 5 years you will graduate with a BSc in Oral Science and an undergraduate masters degree, MChD in Dental Surgery. To facilitate this conversion we have made some changes to the current BChD, these include; Further development of modules in years 4 and 5 to accommodate the increase in attainment level. The introduction of a final year project. The intention is to introduce the option for high attaining students to take a study year abroad at the end of the 4th year.

This Integrated Masters/Bachelors degree in Dental Surgery will be the first of its kind within the UK and will make our programme at Leeds even more distinctive. The final year project will further embed our research led curriculum allowing you to enhance and develop higher level learning skills such as critical thinking, self-management and dealing with complex issues and will provide you with invaluable experience in planning and executing a Masters level project. Frequently Asked Questions What is an Integrated Masters degree? An Integrated Masters degree further extends undergraduate level study to postgraduate level. Progression from undergraduate to postgraduate level is uninterrupted integrating 3 years of study at Bachelors level with at least one year at the Masters level. P.T.O

How will the course change? To attain an integrated Masters degree students must study at least 120 credits at Masters level, therefore there will be some revision to years 4 and 5 to reflect this. A final year Masters level project will be introduced and there will be the option of a study year abroad between years 4 and 5. Will the final year project be a lab-based research project? There will be a number of projects available to broaden student choice, for example these might include; research based projects literature reviews critical evaluations What are the advantages of holding an integrated masters degree in dental surgery ? Integrated Masters degrees provide graduates with the dual award of a BSc and an MChD qualification. They provide a range and depth of specialist knowledge and equip graduates with vital technical and personal skills for future study and/or employment What qualification(s) will I receive on completion of the programme? You will receive an MChD in Dental Surgery and a BSc in Oral Science. Will I still be able to apply for the BChD?No the MChD, BSc award will replace the BChD How will holding an integrated masters degree affect my employability? Graduates holding an integrated Masters degree will gain a vital distinguishing qualification in the UK job market and will be much in demand by employers. The skills and attributes developed through the undertaking of a Masters Level research project (such as working autonomously, critical thinking, decision making in complex situations, proficiency in written and oral communication, project management etc.) are all highly valued by potential employers. What sets this programme apart from other BDS programmes? The MChD, BSc is the only undergraduate dentistry programme in the UK which will provide its graduates with a Masters level qualification. These developments to our dental programme will provide closer alignment to the European higher education system and will result in greater student mobility throughout Europe with regards to employment and further study. For further information please contact; The Learning and Teaching Office Leeds Dental Institute Clarendon Way Leeds LS2 9LU Telephone: +44 (0)113 343 6199 Email: dentistry@leeds.ac.uk
MChD Dental Surgery, BSc Oral Science Undergraduate Integrated Masters Degree

Research

Leeds Dental Institute (LDI) values highly our partnerships with Industry, our academic collaborators and the NHS and we are proud of our sustained track record for high quality basic, applied and translational research. In the recent UK Research Assessment Exercise 60% of our dental research was rated as world leading or internationally excellent. We are able to respond rapidly and flexibly to the needs of our partners and stakeholders, and our understanding of their drivers and goals is central to the strength of our relationships.

LDI offers access to a consortium of clinical and basic science researchers with international reputations in their respective fields and supported by excellent facilities, described in the following pages. This inter-disciplinarity and our holistic approach to world class research are vital to our ability to offer a seamless continuum from the laboratory to the clinic, and to our aim of providing an excellent research experience for our postgraduates. LDI's flagship Wellcome Trust funded Dental Translational and Clinical Research Unit provides a unique clinical environment to accelerate research innovation for patient benefit. Working together with our partners and students, we have never been better placed to deliver our vision of underpinning excellence in clinical research with outstanding basic dental science.

Facilities Available

Leeds Dental Institute is currently expanding our research infrastructure to reflect our expanded research portfolio and to maximise our opportunities for translating our research from bench to clinic and back again. In addition to existing dedicated microbiology, molecular biology, histology, materials science and biochemistry laboratories, LDI is currently adding newly refurbished tissue culture and bioengineering facilities to accommodate our expanding activities in tissue engineering and stem cell biology. The Institute imaging suite includes SEM and TEM and state of the art confocal scanning laser microscopy. Facilities for Applied and Translational Dental Research are available to carry out in vivo plaque pH studies (including pH digital telemetry) and the use of in situ modelling for research in cariology and erosion. LDI hosts the Skeletal Tissues Research Tissue Bank, greatly facilitating our research in stem cell therapy and tissue engineering. Our Research Clinics were replaced in 2009 by a new Dental Translational and Clinical Research Unit (DenTCRU), permitting us to expand our capacity for high quality clinical research in a dedicated environment.

Dental Education Research and Scholarship

Dental Education Research has grown, strategically, with the realisation that there is much to learn and share from the many educational innovations being driven by the LDI. We also collaborate with colleagues in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, particularly the wellestablished Medical Education Unit. The Dental Education Research and Scholarship Groupencompasses research into advances in:
curriculum development how best to assess and provide feedback for students at various stages of their undergraduate and postgraduate careers professionalism and what it means in the 21st century for dental professionals team working and its benefits admissions process and the parameters that define a successful dentist

We are collaborating with the Medical Education Unit in a 4.5 million award investigating Assessment and Learning in Practice Settings. Scholarship and its promotion is a key role of the Group and with it, the encouragement of a scholarly, academic and reflective approach to dental education.
UK Best Young Dentist award won by Leeds student

A postgraduate student at Leeds Dental Institute was awarded UK Best Young Dentist at the 2011 Dentistry Awards in December.

Dannick Jethwa UK Best Young Dentist award 2011

Dannick Jethwa, practice principal of Spondon Dental Practice, Derbyshire, was declared Best Young Dentist for the Midlands region and went on to win the title, "UK Best Young Dentist" over seven other regional winners. Since qualifying as a dentist at Leeds in 2002, Dannick has gone on to buy and run a dental practice. He has transformed Spondon Dental Practice since he took over the practice in 2008. He is also active in the dental community as he serves on the Derby City Local Dental Committee which represents general practitioners in the area. The Dentistry Awards are held annually and there are four awards - Best Young Dentist, Best Team, Best Practice and Best Dental Care Professionals. The UK was split into eight regions and there is a winner in each region, as well as an overall UK winner in each category. The Best Young Dentist category was open to dentists under the age of 35, to be considered for the award dentists were to submit a statement outlining their achievements with supporting evidence. A select panel of judges shortlist the nominations and decide on the winners. Dannick is thrilled and amazed to be the overall winner of the UK Young Dentist award, he said, "It was fantastic to be recognised for all my hard work and commitment!" Not one to rest on his laurels, Dannick is currently studying the MSc in Clinical Dentistry (Restorative Dentistry) via distance learning at Leeds Dental Institute. In the coming year, he hopes to grow Spondon Dental Practice and complete his MSc. "The Msc is improving my understanding of research in dentistry and how fundamental it is to our everyday working practice and patient care." Leeds Dental Institute congratulates our dental hygiene and dental therapy graduands who received their awards in the graduation ceremony on 16 December. 18 were awarded the Graduate Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. Special congratulations go to:
Lucy Rutter who won the Academic Prize as well as the Dental Hygiene Prize (sponsored by Dentsply) Samantha Saltmer for winning the Dental Therapy Prize (sponsored by GSK); Clinical Competence Prize (sponsored by Swallow Dental Supplies) and the Year One Prize (sponsored by Molar Ltd) Nicola Wright who received the Research Project Prize (sponsored by Johnson and Johnson) Zoe Griffiths who received the Tutor's Prize Sian Titherington for winning the Paediatric Prize (sponsored by BADT) and the Student Prize (sponsored by Dental Protection).

Filling without drilling

Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a pain-free way of tackling dental decay that reverses the damage of acid attack and re-builds teeth as new. Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a pain-free way of tackling dental decay that reverses the damage of acid attack and re-builds teeth as new. Tooth decay begins when acid produced by bacteria in plaque dissolves the mineral in the teeth, causing microscopic holes or 'pores' to form. As the decay process progresses these micro-pores increase in size and number. Eventually the damaged tooth may have to be drilled and filled to prevent toothache, or even removed.

The very thought of drilling puts many people off going to see their dentist, whether or not they actually need treatment. This tendency to miss check-ups and ignore niggling aches and pains means that existing problems get worse and early signs of decay in other teeth are overlooked. It's a vicious cycle, but one that can be broken, according to researchers at the University of Leeds who have developed a revolutionary new way to treat the first signs of tooth decay. Their solution is to arm dentists with a peptide-based fluid that is literally painted onto the tooth's surface. The peptide technology is based on knowledge of how the tooth forms in the first place and stimulates regeneration of the tooth defect. "This may sound too good to be true, but we are essentially helping acid-damaged teeth to regenerate themselves. It is a totally natural non-surgical repair process and is entirely painfree too," said Professor Jennifer Kirkham, from the University of Leeds Dental Institute, who has led development of the new technique. The 'magic' fluid was designed by researchers in the University of Leeds' School of Chemistry, led by Dr Amalia Aggeli. It contains a peptide known as P 11-4 that - under certain conditions - will assemble together into fibres. In practice, this means that when applied to the tooth, the fluid seeps into the micro-pores caused by acid attack and then spontaneously forms a gel. This gel then provides a 'scaffold' or framework that attracts calcium and regenerates the tooth's mineral from within, providing a natural and pain-free repair. The technique was recently taken out of the laboratory and tested on a small group of adults whose dentist had spotted the initial signs of tooth decay. The results from this small trial have shown that P 11-4 can indeed reverse the damage and regenerate the tooth tissue. "The results of our tests so far are extremely promising," said Professor Paul Brunton, who is overseeing the patient testing at the University of Leeds Dental Institute. "If these results can be repeated on a larger patient group, then I have no doubt whatsoever that in two to three years time this technique will be available for dentists to use in their daily practice."

Bridging the gap between research and patient benefit

22 scientists from seven countries will share their experiences in translational research in dentistry at the 2nd Worldwide Universities Network Symposium in Oral Health Sciences in July. The symposium features speakers from Australia, China, Japan, the United States, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom; and takes place between 25 and 26 July at Weetwood Hall, Leeds. Researchers from a range of disciplines and clinicians will together be exploring the process of translating basic science discoveries into oral health applications and testing these applications in clinical trials to accelerate the pathway to patient benefit. The symposium is organised by the Nanjing-Leeds Joint Centre for Oral Health Sciences, a partnership between the Dental School at Nanjing University and Leeds Dental Institute at the University of Leeds. Professor Jennifer Kirkham, Head of Oral Biology at Leeds Dental Institute explains: "The translational research principle of working from bench to clinic and back again results in a cycle of constant improvements. By working together, we ensure that the results of our research make a significant impact on improving the quality of life for patients." The Leeds Dental Institute is home to the Wellcome Trust Dental Translational and Clinical Research Unit (DenTCRU), a unique clinical facility in the UK for oral health clinical and translational research which enables direct links to be established between laboratory research and the needs of patients treated in the clinic.
Multi-million pound refurbishment provides state-of-the-art facility for training dental students

Dental students now have access to some of the best facilities in the world after a 9.5 million refurbishment of the Leeds Dental Institute. The investment provides a first class environment for patients and the most up- to-date facilities for the teaching and training of the entire dental care team including dentistry students, dental nurses, hygienists, therapists and technicians. The refurbishment includes a new entrance and reception, 120 new dental chairs, a new x-ray department and 24 new surgeries for NHS consultants to provide specialist dental treatment. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds bid for the investment three years ago so that the number of undergraduates studying dentistry could be expanded, and to give dental students in Leeds access to up-to-date, world-class facilities. Dr Margaret Kellett, Director of Leeds Dental Institute, commented: "Thanks to this very significant investment we have transformed the building and provided a state-of-the-art facility where more dental students will be able to receive top quality training in a modern environment. Our new curriculum and our dental mannequin unit have been hailed as the most innovative and advanced in Europe. The changes have been very well received by students and staff and we are already making a big difference to dental training in the region." The transformation of dental undergraduate training in Leeds is in response to an initiative by the Department of Health and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, begun in 2005, to expand training of dental undergraduates to address a national shortage of NHS dentists.

Leeds Dental Institute marks the completion of the refurbishment works with an opening ceremony on 4 July 2011
UK's first Clinical Translational Research Unit opening soon The Clinical Unit The Dean

This year sees the opening of LDI's state of the art research clinic dedicated to the delivery of world class translational and clinical research in Dentistry. Funded via a 1.6 million prestigious capital award from the Wellcome Trust, the LDI Dental Translational and Clinical Research Unit ("DenTCRU") will provide a unique clinical environment to expedite roll out of our research in interdisciplinary basic dental sciences for patient benefit, train the next generation of clinical academics in high quality clinical research and provide an environment in which Leeds clinicians will work with colleagues cross the University and beyond to establish a robust evidence base for dental treatment and delivery. DenTCRU provides six dental units, each with full intra-oral imaging, microscopy and networked PC facilities. Based within the newly refurbished Leeds Dental Hospital and immediately below our basic science laboratories, the Unit has its own secure access for 24/7 opening, with its own waiting area and on-clinic laboratory. Equipped to an exceptionally high standard, DenTCRU will provide researchers with access to latest technology in noninvasive intra-oral diagnostics, high throughput microbiological molecular screening and stem cell based therapies in regenerative skeletal medicine. Working closely with the Leeds Clinical Trials Unit we will ensure clinical research of the highest standards of clinical governance and rigour.

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