Our orthodontic therapy higher apprenticeship develops your knowledge of basic dental sciences. You'll apply this to treat orthodontic patients in a clinical environment.
Why study with us
- Combine academic learning with real-world practice, gaining the knowledge and skills you need to become an orthodontic therapist.
- Learn from our team of Orthodontic experts and gain access to our excellent dental facilities.
- Preston is easily accessible, with great road and motorway links for academic study.
Who is this course for
The course is for GDC registered dental care professionals who want to become an orthodontic therapist. You'll be driven to learn and develop, as you apply the knowledge and skills you gain to practice.
What you'll do
- The course is taught by specialist orthodontists and therapists through seminars, lectures and hands-on clinical training in the University's phantom head suite.
- Clinical practice will be supervised by a GDC registered specialist orthodontist, who will also act as your mentor.
- Assessment includes exams, presentations, essays and oral tests, plus clinical evaluations, observed procedures and a progressive clinical logbook.
Modules
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. We may also make changes to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Future careers
Once you have successfully completed your higher apprenticeship, you can add the title of Orthodontic Therapist to your GDC registration. This will allow you to work as a registered Orthodontic Therapist in the UK.
Entry requirements
Minimum qualifications:
- NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare, or equivalent
- Current employment as a Dental Nurse, Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist, Dental Technician or Clinical Dental Technician and being on the statutory register with the General Dental Council
- At least one-year full-time post GDC registration as a Dental care professional
- For Degree Apprenticeship route a Degree Apprenticeship Employment Contract with a minimum of 30 hours is required
- Occupational Health screening and clearance Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance is required
All offers of a place on this course are subject to satisfactory health screening. It is important to note that should your health screening not be satisfactory your offer of a place on this course may be withdrawn.
If you have already enrolled on the course prior to completion of your health screening, or if your health screening clearance is revoked or changes during the course, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started.
If you would like to discuss or seek advice in respect of the health screening requirements for this course, please contact the Course Enquiries Team.
This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, this may include children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).
Information for employers
This innovative higher apprenticeship will allow your employees to learn alongside their work. They'll qualify as a GDC registered orthodontic therapist.
Benefits for employers
- Your apprentice will gain valuable knowledge and skills, which they can apply to improve their practice.
- Apprenticeships provide a way to develop your business and upskill employees, ensuring the longevity of your practice.
- We have a strong history of delivering apprenticeships and an excellent approach to working with employers as our partners.
This course is delivered by the School of Medicine and Dentistry
For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Lancashire on our student contract page