Train as a therapist

Outline of course

The 2 year diploma course in Dental Therapy will lead to qualification as a Dental Therapy Practitioner (DTP).

A DTP will be trained to: 

• Examine and diagnose basic dental problems
• Provide advice on available care and refer if necessary
• Teach oral health education at individual and community level
• Place temporary fillings
• Provide tooth cleaning
• Extract decayed or broken teeth under local anaesthetic

Upon graduation graduates will be registered to practice with the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC).

Programme Description

The associate of applied science degree in Dental Therapy is a professional programme offered by Cuttington University in collaboration with Trinity Dental Clinic at ELWA Hospital. The programme offers a rigorous, intensive, science-based curriculum delivered through integrated lectures and clinical experience. Students are trained to provide service in clinical settings with a commitment to community dentistry. Upon successful completion, students will demonstrate proficiency in dental therapy, with critical thinking skills, ethical and professional requirements of the dental profession. TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 68

Course information

The Dental Therapy course is demanding two-year programme requiring students to develop academic, public speaking and practical skills.

The course is aimed at helping students THINK for themselves and apply what they are learning to real-life situations involving the health and well-being of patients.

Full time course

The course is an intensive FULL-TIME course which runs 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday,  during term time. Occasional Saturday classes may also be required.

Students are NOT able to drop in and out of the course; they are required to be available for the entire length of the course.

Course dates

The course is run over a 20 month period to fit in with the needs of the Trinity Dental Clinic and the availability of its tutors. It will not necessarily follow the exact dates outlined in the academic calendar of Cuttington University. However, generally the main Cuttington University events e.g. Matriculation and Graduation and Public Holidays will be observed.

Changes or modifications to the timetable may be implemented by LDTS with limited prior notice.

Modules

The Dental Therapy course is modular in that it is made up 20 separate courses. These provide a combination of practical and class-based learning.

All modules are taught at the Trinity Dental Clinic on the ELWA hospital campus.

Five of the modules (English, Maths, Computing, Moral Ethic and Entrepreneurship), providing 16 credit hours, are taught and examined by tutors from Cuttington University.

The remaining 15, dentally related, modules, providing 52 credit hours, are taught and examined by tutors from the Trinity Dental Clinic.

The Dental Therapy course is run as a whole two-year course, over 4 semesters. It must be completed in its entirety in the set two-year period.

It is not possible to sign up to take individual modules.

The modules are designed to build together to train the students to do the work of a Dental Therapy Practitioner. Students MUST complete and pass, all the modules in each semester BEFORE they can advance to the next semester.

Course materials

Students will be provided with a course textbook, in the form of a hard copy of the Oral Health Manual. A pdf version of the Oral Health Manual by Rankin & Lennon, produced by Teeth Relief, can be downloaded here.

Dental lectures will be given largely by PowerPoint. These are NOT printed out. Students MUST have a smart phone and appropriate phone data to access these course lecture notes online to allow for individual study and revision.

Provision of exercise books for taking additional notes during class and in clinic are the responsibility of each student.

Examinations

Students will be expected to engage in class and clinic-based activities as well as studying at home outside of class hours.

Examinations will take place during each semester. If a student fails a particular exam for a module, there will be an opportunity to re-sit that exam during that semester. However, students will not be given un-limited attempts to pass.

Due to the cumulative and practical nature of the course, if the re-sit exam is also failed, then no further opportunities to re-sit will be considered and the student will not be able to advance to the next semester and will, of necessity, need to leave the course.

Outreach trips

During the second academic year, students will be expected to participate in dental outreach trips.

These trips are arranged periodically to provide dental care into rural areas. They provide excellent opportunity for students to use and develop their dental skills under the supervision of Trinity Dental Clinic staff.

They will require the student to be away, outside of Monrovia, for 2-3 days at a time and this may include a Saturday.

The cost of these trips is met from the Dental Clinic budget and will NOT be an expense to the student.

Summary

The Dental Therapy Practitioner Course is challenging, both academically and professionally, but provides the motivated and committed student the opportunity to learn skills that can make a real difference to serving the people of Liberia.

Student  sponsorship

All applicants for the diploma course to become a Dental Therapy Practitioner (DTP) are required to have a sponsor.

The Sponsor will usually be an organisation e.g a government hospital, a church, or a company rather than an individual. However, individuals will be considered on a case by case basis.

The Sponsor will agree to:

• Supply full or partial financial support for the student (this will include tuition fees and accommodation costs).
• Monitor progress of the student, providing accountability.
• Assist in placement provision for the student upon their graduation.
  
• The sponsor will receive the Dentaid field kit and, alongside the DTP, be responsible for its care.

Following acceptance onto the training course, there will be:

• a written agreement between the sponsor and the student outlining the various responsibilities and commitments.
• a written agreement between the sponsor and Cuttington University.

Admission requirements

Details of the admission requirements can be found here.

Minimum requirement is a High School certificate and WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examination) certificate.

Guideline of Fees and costs

• LDTS Admission Exam: USD $35.00
• Tuition per Semester (Liberian Citizen): USD  $450.00
• Registration Fee: USD  $56.00
• Graduation Fee: USD $200.00
• Admission Package (All Candidates) FREE Download (USD $10 Printed)

Details of the tuition fees and other costs may be found here.

How to apply

An application must include:

• a letter, hand written by the applicant
• applicants full CV
• details of the applicants sponsor
• copies of high school, WASSCE and any other post-high school qualification certificates.

It should be sent to Mrs Angeline T Dunbar, the clinic manager,

by email: dental.manager@elwaministries.org

or

delivered by hand to the Clinic office.

For further information, call the Clinic Reception on 07779 11546.