Module manager: Alasdair McKechnie
Email: denamck@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Must meet the entrance requirements for the MSc Oral Surgery programme
DSUR5300M Foundations of Oral Surgery DSUR5306M Advanced Oral Surgery
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module will furnish students with the technical skills and knowledge to support independent practice in management of complex dental extractions under local anaesthetic. Students will develop their surgical techniques for management of erupted and unerupted teeth, retained roots and other procedures such as surgical endodontics, odontogenic cysts and benign dentoalveolar pathology. Additionally, students will develop their diagnostic and communication skills in assessment and management of complex oro-facial symtoms and pathology. Students will use patient and peer feedback to guide their own clinical development and build confidence in their clinical skills. Critical analysis of clinical guidelines, anticipation of local and systemic complications and confidence in dealing with surgical complications will enable students to expand their clinical repertoire. Familiarity with clinical support arrangements such as Managed Clinical Networks will further engender confidence in the service students can provide.
The aims of this module are:
• To develop operative skills of students in relation to management of simple and challenging dental extractions including surgical removal of unerupted teeth, retained and buried roots.
• To provide students with up to date evidence on the prevention, recognition and management of complications associated with extraction of teeth in primary dental care setting and oral surgery.
• To develop students patient management skills in a
clinical setting in the context of more complex oral surgery procedures such as wisdom tooth removal, surgical endodontics, management of odontogenic cysts.
• To enhance clinical communication and diagnostic skills with respect
to such matters as complex diagnoses, management of facial pain and means of anxiety management.
• To improve the confidence of students in dealing with unexpected complicatons encountered while undertaking dental extractions that otherwise may be referred to a specialist service and thus undertake independent practice by the use of patient and peer feedback, personal reflection and familiarity with clinical systems such as Managed Clinical Networks.
On completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. Apply technical skills with in-depth theoretical knowledge appropriate for performance of:
o simple to difficult/complex dental extractions and
o surgical techniques in complex oral surgery care
2. Synthesize complex differential diagnoses and apply clinical judgement in management of complex clinical presentations and confidently manage acute presentations and peri-operative complications in oral surgery
3. Appraise the ethical and legal framework for proper consent of patients
4. Critically appraise the process of development, and the limitations of, clinical guidelines relevant to the field of oral surgery.
5. Apply specialist-level knowledge and sound clinical judgement in advanced clinical communication and presentation skills with patients and peers in respect of complex diagnoses and clinical management.
6. Apply results of personal reflection, peer and patient feedback in professional development.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1.Work Ready Skills – Communication, Critical thinking, Problem solving, Leadership, Decision making,
2.Sustainability Skills – Effective communication, Critical thinking, Information searching, evidence-based practice. Evaluation of patient and peer feedback and reflective practice to guide development plans.
3.Enterprise Skills – Working with others, Self-awareness, adaptability and resilience, initiative, Managing uncertainty and risk
4.Academic Skills – Presentation skills, Critical thinking, Ethics,
Information searching
5.Digital Skills – Information and data literacies
6.Technical Skills – Application of the principles of evidence-based-practice with advanced skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning of common conditions of the mouth and jaws for patients who require dental extractions and minor oral surgery in primary care:
• Application of knowledge of the relevant anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology in assessment and management of oral surgery, including surgical complications.
• Operative skills in relation to management of more complex dental extractions and management of benign pathology of the jaws such as odontogenic cysts.
• Analysis and understanding the application and limitations of clinical guidelines.
• evidence-based treatment decisions and use of advanced skills in communication to debate the risks and benefits of particular treatments with patients and other healthcare professionals.
• Development of an evidence-based knowledge of competencies in oral surgery, appropriate to the level of the experienced general dental practitioner
• Management of risk associated with co-morbidities and medication
• Anticipating and managing local intra-operative problems and their management.
• Oral surgical techniques for removal of fractured, retained or buried roots.
• The ethical and legal basis of consent.
• Surgical techniques for uncomplicated wisdom tooth removal, surgical endodontics, management of benign odontogenic pathology.
• Use of reflective logs and patient feedback in personal professional development.
• Communication skills
• Introductiion to patient pathway and means of optimising efficiency.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Lecture | 27 | 1 | 27 |
| Practical | 70 | 3 | 210 |
| Seminar | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Independent online learning hours | 74 | ||
| Private study hours | 250 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 276 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600 | ||
Formative feedback is a key element of clinical training and will be used in the following ways:
1.During lectures and seminars, an interactive format will allow for feedback through discussion and questioning
during the planned activities.
2.Coursework will facilitate formative feedback from peers and tutors.
3. Feedback on clinical activities will be provided during the activity and as part of the de-brief at the end of clinic. Feedback will be saught from peers, tutors and patients and will be used to guide student reflection on development of their skills and knowledge. Feedback will be recorded on CAFS which facilitates reflection on students’ progress.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 3 case reports – 1 Consultant Clinic case / 2 treated cases (1500 words each) | 30 |
| Reflective log | Log of clinical experience from Consultant Clinics, treatment sessions including professionalism, clinical skill with reflection and feedback from patients and clinical tutors | 0 |
| Case Study | In-class Test - Live conversation based on 1 of the three clinical cases submitted. (Duration 30mins) | 15 |
| Case Study | In-class Test – Live unseen clinical scenario based on History, prescription of special tests, reporting of findings, diagnosis, treatment planning and seeking consent (Duration 1.5hours) | 25 |
| Assignment | Live conversation about a clinical issue with ambiguity about optimal management strategy - Formative | 0 |
| Assignment | Live clinical scenario with a simulated patient presenting with pain - Formative | 0 |
| Essay | Essay (1000 word) evidence-based management of a clinical problem relevant to a complex case in oral surgery which may involve shared care – formative | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 70 | |
Completion of each clinical activity will be progressive via CAFS through the programme. Patient facing clinical experience is primarily delivered via LTHT NHS patient clinics and are dependent on service provision within Leeds Dental Institute. Live conversation rather than recorded is required. There is no compensation between summative components of assessment (coursework and exams), all components must be passed. In the event of failure of one or more component(s), the module mark will be capped at 50 on successful resit of the failed component(s). :
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1.0 Hrs Mins | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 30 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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