Discover Dentistry Course - The University of Sheffield

Discover the fascinating world of dentistry and explore the impact dentistry has on our lives.

What do dentists do and why is it important?

Anyone who’s ever had a toothache can attest to the vital role dentists play in ensuring good public health. But behind the cliches of the profession lies a rich and relevant history waiting to be discovered.

In this course, you’ll explore the intricacies of what dentists do.

Joining Professor Christopher Stokes from the School of Clinical Dentistry at The University of Sheffield, you’ll learn the essentials of dentistry from leading dental experts.

You’ll learn about the different roles on a dental team, explore tooth anatomy and disease, and find out how dentistry differs from country to country.

You’ll also learn how to become a dentist and get a valuable introduction to studying dentistry degrees.

When would you like to start?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts.

• Available now

Who will you learn with?

Christopher Stokes

Professor of Digital Learning and Dental Education in the School of Clinical Dentistry and Cross-Cutting Director of Digital Learning at the University of Sheffield.

Who developed the course?

The University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is one of the world’s top 100 universities with a reputation for teaching and research excellence.

What topics will you cover?

• The public perception of dentistry in modern societies.
• Definition of dental team roles, including the dentist, nurse, hygienist/therapist, dental technician and practice manager.
• Key aspects of tooth anatomy, morphology, development and disease.
• How to carry out dental charting and the systems used in different countries.
• Dental specialisms, including dental pathology and radiography, paediatric dentistry, endodontics, periodontics and oral surgery.
• The types and properties of dental materials.
• Design and manufacture of dental restorations and prostheses and how they have changed over time.
• Dental public health and the morals and ethics of dental treatment.
• Exploring the latest research in dentistry at The University of Sheffield.

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in dentistry or science and is designed to be enjoyed without prior knowledge.

It would be especially valuable for dentistry professionals, or anyone thinking of entering the profession.

Due to the highly visual nature of dentistry, a small number of exercises in the course, unfortunately, won’t be accessible to learners with visual impairment.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to:

• Explore the history of dental treatment.
• Identify the roles within the Dental Team and compare (or apply) the UK model to their own experience.
• Identify the key features of tooth morphology and dental restorations and how they are recorded in dental records.
• Compare the roles of dental specialists, including their training and responsibilities.
• Apply knowledge of tooth morphology and dental materials to the process of making dental prostheses.
• Evaluate the evidence for or against a dental public health intervention.
• Reflect on learning gained throughout the course, including current areas of research, to develop their own research priority, with justification.