There are two ITI Scholarship Centers at The Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry; one in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Adult Oral Health where the Program Chair is Professor Shakeel Shahdad and the other in the Centre for Oral Clinical Research (COCR) with Professor Nikos Donos as the Program Chair.

Both centers embrace the philosophy of a multi-disciplinary approach to implant dentistry. For this reason, all our DClinDent trainees come together as a team for their implant and research training. The Scholars will have an opportunity to interact with postgraduate trainees enrolled on a 3-year DClinDent program in Periodontics and in Prosthodontics and with specialist registrars who are on a 5-year training program in Restorative Dentistry. They will be able to actively participate in different pre-clinical and clinical research projects currently being carried out at the Centre for Clinical Oral Research.

 

Department of Restorative Dentistry & Adult Oral Health
The ITI Scholar will participate in the following clinical activities:

• Treatment planning sessions
• Observing clinical patient treatment
• Assisting in patient treatment
• Carrying out oral hygiene procedures
• Treating patients under supervision
  • placing implants
  • restoring implants

The Scholar's time will be allocated to the activities below as follows (estimate):

• 60% patient care
• 20% research
• 20% academic activities

Center for Oral Clinical Research (COCR)
The ITI Scholar will participate in the following clinical activities:

• Treatment planning sessions
• Observing clinical patient treatment
• Assisting in patient treatment
• Carrying out oral hygiene procedures
• Treating patients under supervision
  • placing implants
  • restoring implants
  • treatment of periodontitis patients

The Scholar's time will be allocated to the activities below as follows (estimate):

• 40% patient care
• 40% research
• 20% academic activities

The ITI Scholarship Program comprises:

• Access to didactic programs (lectures, seminars, practical/clinical courses) offered by the department at postgraduate level
• Literature review seminars
• Access to the 1-week comprehensive Implant Core Course, organized by the department
• Multidisciplinary implant consultations (with colleagues from prosthodontics, periodontics and where necessary, oral and maxillo-facial surgery)
• Treatment planning seminars with case presentations
• Multidisciplinary hypodontia clinic (with orthodontic and paedodontic colleagues)
• Comprehensive treatment of selected implant patients (under supervision), including treatment planning, preparation of surgical interventions, implant placement (initially as an assistant, later with the assistance of an experienced surgeon) as well as the subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation
• Participation in ongoing implant-related research projects in the Centre for Clinical Oral Research
• New patient clinics in periodontology and restorative dentistry (when possible)
• Clinical research activities according to the interests of the Scholar and the priorities of the Centres

Authorization for "independent" treatment of implant patients with problems of varying degrees of complexity will depend on the competencies of the individual ITI Scholar. These will be assessed during the initial period of the program. Applicants with post-graduate education in periodontics, prosthodontics or other significant restorative dentistry experience and/or previous clinical research experience are preferred.
Clinical teaching of undergraduate students for 1-2 sessions per week may be part of the program (assuming an appropriate level of experience on the part of the Scholar).

The aim of this program in both centers at QMUL is to enhance the knowledge and skills of the ITI Scholar with particular emphasis on the ITI philosophy. The ITI Scholar will complete the program having attained broad experience and expertise in dental implants, which will provide solid foundations for their professional career.
In terms of research, the ITI Scholar will be integrated into the research team of the Centre for Oral Clinical Research, which includes a Clinical Research Facility manager/trial coordinator, research nurses, clinical research fellows and other internationally and nationally renowned faculty members. It will be desirable (but not essential) for a research project (i.e. systematic review) to be initiated and progressed/completed during the scholarship year and, if possible, to participate in at least one clinical project. If appropriate, research methodology training will be provided to the ITI Scholar.

 

A TOEFL or IELTS certificate as proof of proficiency in English for non-native-English speakers is required by the beginning of the ITI Scholarship program. The required IELTS score for dental professionals is an overall average of 7, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the component parts of the test. For non-EU Nationals, the IELTS should be completed immediately after being accepted for an ITI Scholarship, as the test results are a primary requirement when applying for a visa to the UK.

 

EU candidates should follow the formal General Dental Council (GDC) registration pathway before their arrival and ultimately receive a GDC registration to be able to practice dentistry in U.K. This is an essential requirement in order for QMUL/BartsHealth to issue them with an Honorary contract (hospital) to work with patients under the supervision of a delegated consultant. For non-EU candidates the relevant visa requirements as applicable with the agreements between the country of their origin and U.K. have to be clarified and completed well in advance of the candidate’s arrival in the U.K. The relevant visa arrangements are exclusively the responsibility of the candidate. Non-EU candidates will not be able to practice dentistry in U.K. and a temporary registration with the GDC (practice under supervision and not independently) will have to be sought upon arrival (this implies delay to entering the clinic for a period that is difficult to specify).

 

ITI Scholars do not have formal QMUL/BartsHealth student/trainee status. Based on the University Honorary contracts and the Hospital Honorary contract they will be allocated a working space and an email account and access to the library and will be able to perform clinical activity and research under the supervision of delegated staff members/consultants.

Scholarship Center Chair: Prof. Dr. Shakeel Shahdad
QMUL, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Department of Restorative Dentistry & Adult Oral Health
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
Turner Street
London E1 2AD
UK
Email: [email protected]

 

Scholarship Center Chair: Prof. Dr. Nikos Donos
Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Centre of Oral Clinical Research (COCR)
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
Turner Street
London E1 2AD
UK
Email: [email protected]