It is common for individual dental practitioners to seek and obtain advanced education, experience and specific focused competencies. With this in mind, the IMU School of Dentistry started to offer a new 1-year Postgraduate Diploma in Prosthodontics (PGDPros) in June 2021. Prosthodontic treatment is performed after the removal of teeth and refers to replacement of missing teeth or related structures by artificial means. Gaining additional training in this branch of dentistry will give the dental practitioner the knowledge and skills of managing prosthodontic cases and complications based upon the nature and complexity of the edentulous span. The PGDPros Programme at IMU provides training in Prosthodontics for general dental practitioners with the primary objective of providing them with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in providing patient-centred prosthodontic treatment. The training emphasizes the provision of care based on current evidence and best practices utilising appropriate technologies and specialised techniques.
| A student of this programme, Dr Kher Yee said |
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| “PGD Pros provides a comprehensive outline, structure and hands-on, and train me to think and manage cases like a prosthodontist from simple denture up to advanced prosthodontics. It’s a fruitful journey together with the enthusiastic lecturers and classmates!” |
The programme covers knowledge acquisition through face-to-face and online lectures, case-based discussion, skills development through hands-on training in the simulation lab, and clinical experience through patient care at the IMU Oral Health Centre and at the student’s own workplace. Highly qualified and experienced faculty involved in teaching of this programme are Prof Toh Chooi Gait, Prof Seow Liang Lin, Dr Pravinkumar, Dr Mandakini, Dr Shivani, Dr Rohit, Dr Nafij, Dr Lee Yin Ci, and a visiting faculty from India, Dr Harshwardhan Arya.
This programme aims to produce graduates who are able to coordinate a multidisciplinary approach in managing oral health care and provide accessible and affordable prosthodontic care.
| Another student, Dr YC Phan, said |
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| “It has been such a great journey to join the IMU Postgraduate Diploma in Prosthodontics programme. This one-year full time course is well designed to cater for the dental practitioner’s need to provide a better and more evidence-based management when dealing with daily clinical scenarios. This programme helps to bridge my fragments of knowledge especially in my clinical as well as my laboratory work. I set high expectations for my indirect prosthesis. With the skills I acquired from this programme, I am now able to fabricate some indirect prosthesis that meet my expectations. And I must thank all the lecturers I met in IMU. Each and everyone of them are so encouraging, helpful and understanding. Thank you so much.”
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Among the highlights of this programme is that it is accredited by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), valued course content and a variety of delivery methods, free access to IMU’s library and online resources, use of state-of-the-art digital technologies and flexible learning options. Students will also have a free hand to utilise IMU’s digital dentistry facilities including Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD-CAM). Each student is required to complete 10 different prosthodontic cases. The programme also collaborates with world renowned companies in providing the equipment and materials. The programme is designed for full-time and part-time students with the respective flexible options. This programme includes 6 modules in 2 semesters with a total of 30 credit hours to be delivered over a period of 1 year. Duration of each module is approximately 6 weeks including 1 week of compulsory on-site activities in IMU School of Dentistry. The second cohort of the programme is starting in June 2022.
Written by Dr Pravinkumar G Patil, Programme Director, PGDPros
