How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Advanced Periodontal Practice

Start date: September 2025

Study mode: Part-time

Duration: 3 years

Location: Southend Campus

Based in: Health and Social Care (School of)

Do you have the enhanced skills in advanced care that are needed in the new dental contract? Dental practices who do are likely to be commissioned to provide specialised services under the proposed new dental contract. Periodontology is just one of those specialised services you could be commissioned to do.

If you are a registered UK dental hygienist or dental hygienist/therapist, our MSc Advanced Periodontal Practice course provides an educational route for you to acquire advanced skills and knowledge in periodontology:

Gain experience in our purpose-built dental skills labs and clinical patient care facilities
Make your studies fit around your busy working life through our flexible study options
Expand your knowledge and interests in a broad range of dental disciplines
Learn from experienced clinicians who provide expert oral health care in clinical settings
Reinforce and enhance the skills which are required for everyday clinical practice

You gain a broad and critical understanding of the key concepts underlying clinical periodontal practice. At Essex, you critically appraise research findings and develop your own evidence-based practice.

The School of Health and Social Care is proud to work closely with our Service User Reference Group (SURG). SURG is made up of service users, carers, and volunteers who generously share their first-hand experiences of health and social care. We work collaboratively with SURG to design our courses to ensure that we truly are putting the needs of patients and clients at the heart of what we do. SURG are involved as part of our course application processes and often form part of our interview panels. This helps us to be confident that we are selecting the right applicants for the course and their future careers. SURG members also support the delivery of our teaching sessions and research activity, which means you'll benefit from an insight into their lived experiences of living with a diagnosis, health condition, or circumstance. You'll find that not only does your clinical knowledge expand, but your empathy, compassion and ability to advocate develops also.

If you are a dentist we also offer our MSc Periodontology, which provides an educational route, by credit accumulation, to acquire the abilities and knowledge of a dentist with enhanced skills.

Why we're great.

Reinforce and enhance your skills required for everyday clinical practice, by learning from experienced clinicians
Acquire a broad and critical understanding of the key concepts underlying clinical periodontal practice
Gain advanced skills and knowledge in our purpose-built facilities for developing dental skills and patient care

Specialist facilities

The School of Health and Social Care is located at two sites; in the Kimmy Eldridge building at our Colchester Campus and in the Gateway Building at our Southend Campus.

Please note this course is based at our Bromley Road Academic Dental Clinic, Colchester. We offer clinical laboratories with the very latest equipment and IT facilities - in particular, a state-of-the-art dental skills lab with the latest simulation ‘phantom heads' to practise on. View our image gallery and find out more about our Oral Health Science facilities.

Your future

Our MSc Advanced Periodontal Practice offers you many opportunities to further your career:

Academic and clinical teaching practice
Academic development
Development of the profession
Enhanced clinical skills
Enhanced professional practice
Hospital practice
Local professional networks, local dental committees, and British Dental Association groups
Medico-legal (expert witnesses)
Mentoring

The MSc Advanced Periodontal Practice degree has propelled my career and enabled me to develop on my clinical skill set with a greater level of knowledge on the management of periodontal disease, in relation to appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning of complex cases; and an appreciation of the importance that research has and the impact of evidence- based practice in obtaining successful of treatment outcomes.

The MSc Advanced Periodontal Practice degree has also brought about an increased number of employment opportunities and placed me in an incredible niche position in both the corporate and independent dental care setting.

Manjit Sandhu, MSc Advanced Periodontal Practice

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

Relevant professional experience and qualifications that demonstrate ability to study at Masters level.

AND

Current registration with the UK General Dental Council to practice as a Dental Hygienist or Dental Hygienist/Therapist
Current employment in a relevant field of practice in the UK
Current residence in the UK
Successful performance at interview

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks (DBS)

You must also have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (including child and adult barred list check) and a Occupational Health Check - both of these are organised by the University.

For this course, you will be required to register for the DBS Update Service (information relating to this service can be found here). You will need to register for this within 30 days of your DBS certificate being issued. The Update Service costs £13 per year, which the University will reimburse. You will need to keep the subscription to this Service active for the duration of your course.

If you do not register for the Update Service within 30 days, or your registration lapses, and you later attend a placement where this is a requirement, you will have to pay for a new DBS check, which will enable you to sign up to the Update Service. Please contact dbs@essex.ac.uk if you have any questions relating to this.”

A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more. Where it is not possible to obtain an Overseas Check a relevant professional reference may be accepted

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. These carefully selected modules will give you the chance to explore, question, and create powerful ideas. Picked to give you an extensive and in-depth education, they'll equip you with the specialist knowledge, vital transferrable skills, and the confidence to make a genuine difference to the world around you.

Our MSc Advanced Periodontal Practice provides an educational route, by credit accumulation, for you to acquire advanced skills and knowledge in periodontology.

We're reactive, we're pioneering, we never stand still, so modules might change from year to year in response to new developments and innovation. Those listed below show how a typical course might look, but more detail on course structure, including details of all optional modules, is available on our Programme Specification.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Introduction and Scientific Basis of Periodontology

(15 CREDITS)

This module is designed to ensure you have a sound level of knowledge and skills within the subject area of periodontology and have an advanced understanding of the basic science associated with periodontal disease and therapy.

View Introduction and Scientific Basis of Periodontology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Clinical Periodontology

(15 CREDITS)

This module is designed to ensure you have an advanced understanding of the principles associated with the clinical aspects of periodontal disease and therapy and their application to specialised practice.

View Clinical Periodontology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Assessment Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

(15 CREDITS)

This module is designed to ensure you are able to assess, diagnose and plan treatments for patients with a range of periodontal diseases at an advanced level.

View Assessment Diagnosis and Treatment Planning on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Non-Surgical Management of Periodontal Disease

(15 CREDITS)

Become proficient at an advanced level in non-surgical management of patients with periodontal disease. Taught by clinical experts in periodontology, this module covers theoretical teaching, demonstration and teaching of clinical skills using simulation.

View Non-Surgical Management of Periodontal Disease on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Surgical Management of Periodontal Disease

(15 CREDITS)

This is a core module which has been specifically designed to ensure you become proficient at an advanced level in the management of periodontal patients with complex needs. You will be taught by clinical experts using a variety of teaching methods from theoretical to practical.

View Surgical Management of Periodontal Disease on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Complex Case Management

(30 CREDITS)

This module is designed to ensure you are proficient at an advanced level in the management of periodontal patients with complex needs.

View Complex Case Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Using Evidence in Health Care Practice

(15 CREDITS)

Digital literacy is an important life skill in the 21st century and skills and confidence in using on line learning to develop professional practice are essential in today's health and allied professional practice, where professionals are expected to be up to date with their knowledge and expertise to inform best practice. The ability to advocate and implement an evidence-based response to complex issues or emerging topics as they arise in professional working practice is fundamental to leading a skilled and compassionate health care service and providing excellent patient care. This requires health care staff to demonstrate independent learning strategies and fluency with the e-learning environment. This module provides you with the opportunity to develop on line learning skills through a series of authentic research tasks with the support of peers, practitioners and tutors. Important themes in the module include: Evidence based practice Basic principles of research and research methods. Critical appraisal and reviewing research literature Credibility, responsibility and ethics

View Using Evidence in Health Care Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Dissertation

(60 CREDITS)

This final module consolidates your learning and equips you to take your career forward with a range of skills and knowledge relevant to your professional practice. It is an opportunity to undertake an independent research project relevant to your field of practice. You will formulate a research question, plan and carry out the project, analyse and write up the results. You can undertake primary or secondary research, or audit/service evaluation or a library based critical literature review research project. If you are undertaking the MSc in Health Research you will undertake a primary or secondary research project, engaging with empirical data.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

Teaching

Practical skills classes, workshops and placements are used to integrate theory and practice
This course normally takes place on Thursday afternoon and evening clinics and lectures followed by distance Guided Learning on the alternate Thursdays to fit around your professional commitments.

Assessment

You are assessed through course work, portfolio vivas, clinical assessment forms, presentations and essays
You also conduct a research project/dissertation

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£15,000 per year

Please note the above fees are per annum

International fee

£22,750 per year

Please note the above fees are per annum

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Southend Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing southend@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

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