Courses for General Dental Practitioners

Our GDP program consists of 4 or 5 full day modules which are intended as a series, in sequence, although we have found that many people enjoy coming along for single days, invariably then whetting their appetites for more!

Please note that we offer an in-practice follow-up package for those attending these GDP courses.

GDP Module 1 - Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

This module can be run as a one day or two day course, the advantages of the latter being that more topics are covered, all are covered in greater depth and there is more opportunity for case discussion/groupwork. There are presentations on periodontal diagnosis and treatment options and, on the 2 day course, on prognosis and non-surgical therapy. There is groupwork (working in groups of 3 or 4) on treated cases. Please note that the programme is designed to be highly flexible! Full details

GDP Module 2 - Non-Surgical and Surgical Periodontal Therapy

An initial presentation on periodontal treatment options, including non-surgical treatment options and techniques (which may be shortened if participants have attended the Module 1 two day course), is followed by a discussion on indications for surgical therapy. The principles of surgical technique, and periodontal regeneration, are then outlined, using graphics and video. The afternoon is entirely hands-on using pigs jaws. Full details

Note: The morning session is suitable for hygienists/therapists.

GDP Module 3 - The Perio / Restorative Interface

An initial presentation on the principles of surgical crown lengthening, illustrated by numerous cases, is followed by a second presentation on perio-endo lesions, furcation management and root resections. The techniques discussed will be practised on pigs jaws, in between presentations. Time permitting, we also cover periodontal plastic surgery techniques (grafting etc) and again practice on the pigs jaws. Full details

GDP Module 4 - Evidence-Based Periodontics

The initial presentation sets the scene and examines the development of the evidence-based approach. The second presentation covers the principles of clinical trials and systematic reviews and explains some basic statistical methods and terminology.

There are 2 practical exercises on critical reading involving groupwork on papers that have been sent to participants in advance of the course. Guidance sheets accompany the papers to help the reader identify key points in the papers. Methods of data gathering are then examined, preferably with input from the PG Centre librarian. Depending on the availability of internet connections, the final practical exercise involves "live" internet searches for data on Medline and other medical research databases. Full details