CGDent Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics
Designed to give GDPs the skills and knowledge needed to treat more complex malocclusions.
The College of General Dentistry (CGDent) is now accepting applications for the next cohort of its Postgraduate Diploma programme in Primary Care Orthodontics, starting in June.
The comprehensive Level 7 programme is designed to give General Dental Practitioners the skills and knowledge needed to treat more complex malocclusions, including extraction cases, taking them up to just below specialist training level.
It covers all appliance systems; fixed functional, aligners, lingual and Inman – and includes both the theory and practical aspects of orthodontic care.
Through a combination of lectures, seminar and practical sessions, the syllabus includes:
- Records, assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning
- Treatment planning for Class I, Class II div1, Class II div 2 and Class III malocclusions
- Radiography – Ceph/OPG/CBCT
- Fixed appliances
- Lingual appliances
- Removable appliances
- Functionals
- Retention
- Aetiology of malocclusion, growth & development
- Development of the dentition and tooth movement
- Dental material & biomechanics
- Multidisciplinary care, including restorative, periodontics & surgery
- Critical reading skills
- Health education, health & safety, legislation and audit
- Marketing and practice management
During the programme, which is limited to 12 places, students will discuss multiple new cases, participate in hands-on practical sessions and weekly online planning discussions, and will be given one-to-one mentoring by specialists for ten treated cases.
The 2026-28 programme is supported by six training blocks, five of three days and one of four days, which take place in June, September and December 2026, and April, July and November 2027.
To ensure enough case-flow and experience, the course is recommended for dentists who have treated at least ten fixed cases, are treating a minimum of ten orthodontic cases per annum, and are familiar with using fixed appliances.
The 120 credit programme, including ongoing informal and formal assessment, is delivered by IAS Academy, with a final examination held by the College.
It is led by Professor Ross Hobson, a specialist orthodontist, former Head of Orthodontic MSc/Specialist training at Newcastle University, and former Chair in Orthodontics at the University of Central Lancashire.
Other tutors include specialist orthodontists Dr Asif Chatoo FCGDent, Dr Josh Rowley, Dr Nina Shaffie, Dr James Stubbs and Dr Stephen O’Connor.