Level 3 Certificate in Initial Orthodontic Assessment and Clinical Records

Course title: Initial Orthodontic Assessment and Clinical Records
This course is aimed at orthodontic nurses who wish to be practically involved in the clinical assessment of patients prior to orthodontic treatment. Learners will be able to undertake dental impressions, orthodontic radiography and clinical photography, and will learn the skill of taking an IOTN assessment on models.
Awarded by: The Dental Education, Learning and Training Academy (DELTA)
Structure: The course is delivered by way of 4 modules. All modules are mandatory and must be passed.
Grading: Pass or fail
Pre-requisites: Candidates must hold GDC registration and a recognised Dental Nurse qualification and be working in an orthodontic environment.
Assessment: This qualification is assessed by:
  • Dental Impressions – Workplace Portfolio to include case studies, written essay
  • Orthodontic Radiography – Workplace portfolio and final written examination
  • Clinical Photography – Workplace Portfolio
  • IOTN – completion of assignments

Workplace Portfolios of Evidence combined forms 50% of the final grade. Of this, the subject breakdown is:

Impression Taking - 10%
Orthodontic Radiography - 30%
Clinical photography - 10%


Essay submission - an extended essay within the Impression Taking course forms 20% of the overall grade
Final examination - a 60 minute written exam on radiography only contributes to 30% of the overall grade

Candidates must achieve a pass in all modules to gain the qualification.
Resit Arrangements: Candidates can receive a small course extension to amend or change any information in the case studies or essay submissions.

Candidates get two attempts at the final examination.
Practical Component: The taking of dental impressions, the taking of orthodontic radiographs (panoramic, occlusal, Cephalometric views and periapical) and the taking of clinical photographs.
Guided Learning Hours: This programme is 300 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
Course length: 9 - 12 months
Credits: This course attracts 30 credits

Course Content

Module 1 Dental Impressions Module 1 Assessment
Section 1
Legislation
Consent
General Dental Council - responsibilities as a registrant
CoSHH
CPR / emergencies
First Aid

Section 2
Health and Safety
Cross Infection Control
Materials
Devices and treatments

Section 3
Patient management
Anatomy of the oral cavity
Laboratory requirements
Impression taking faults
Technique

Essay

 

 

 

 

 

Essay

 

 

Workplace Porfolio
Case Studies

 
 
Module 2  Orthodontic Radiography  

Section 1
Legislation

Section 2 Content
Equipment used in Image Production
Film Based systems
Digital systems

Section 3 Content
Interaction with Matter
Radiation Physics
Biological Effects of Radiation
Dose

Section 4 Content
Intra oral techniques
    • Periapical views
    • Bitewing views
Extra oral techniques
    • Panoramic radiographs
Additional techniques
    • Occlusal views
    • Bisected angles
    • Cephalometric

Section 5 Content
Digital Radiography

Section 6 Content
Quality Assurance
Faults and errors
Audits

Section 1 Assessment
End of module assignments

Section 2 Assessment
End of module assignments


Section 3 Assessment
End of module assignments



Section 4 Assessment
End of module assignments
WPoE logs








Section 5 Assessment
End of Module assignments

Section 6 Assessment
Quality assurance activity as part of the WPoE
 
Module 3 Clinical Photography  
Content
Extra Oral Photographs:
    • Frontal view with lips at rest              
    • Frontal view with lips smiling
    • Lateral view with the lips at rest in the natural head position
    • ¾ profile at rest
Intra oral            
    • Anterior view
    • Right and left buccal views (in occlusion)
    • Upper occlusal view
    • Lower occlusal view

Assessment
Taking and presentation of 3 sets of intra and extra oral photographs
 
Module 4 IOTN  
Module Content
The use and function of IOTN
How to perform this method of assessment on study models

Assessment
Undertake two IOTN assessments of study models
 
   
   
 
   
   

Assessment

Dental Impression Taking - candidates will be required to produce a Workplace Portfolio of Evidence detailing 12 patients attending for orthodontic impressions to include (but not exclusive to):

  • Study models
  • Removable appliances
  • Functional appliances
  • Retainers

Orthodontic Radiography

Workplace Portfolio of Evidence - this includes records of the taking of the following views:

  • 15 panoramic radiographs
  • 5 cephalometric radiographs
  • 2 occlusal radiographs
  • 8 periapical radiographs

Simulations are not accepted
Risk assessment
Quality Assurance Audit

Written Exam -Candidates will be required to sit a final written exam of 60 minutes duration. The examination is provided electronically and candidates will be able to take it in their own environment under strict, proctored examination conditions. A reliable WiFi connection is essential. This contributes to 40% of the final grade.

Clinical Photography

Workplace Portfolio of Evidence - this includes evidence of competency in the taking of intra and extra oral photographs as part of the initial assessment for orthodontic treatment. This should include:

Extra oral

  • Frontal view with lips at rest
  • Frontal view with lips smiling
  • Lateral view with the lips at rest in the natural head position
  • ¾ profile at rest

Intra oral

  • Anterior view
  • Right and left buccal views (in occlusion)
  • Upper occlusal view
  • Lower occlusal view

IOTN does not form part of the final assessment