The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics) is a prestigious, advanced-level qualification designed specifically for experienced dental professionals seeking to expand their expertise and achieve higher recognition in the field of orthodontics. This programme is not intended for fresh candidates; instead, it caters to practitioners who are committed to enhancing their career prospects, deepening their knowledge, and meeting their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
Through a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum, learners will explore advanced orthodontic principles, diagnostic techniques, treatment planning, and the latest developments in orthodontic technology and patient care. The qualification aims to equip professionals with the skills and confidence needed to deliver complex orthodontic treatments while maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence and ethical practice.
Centres offering this qualification must ensure they have competent and qualified staff, along with the necessary facilities, equipment, and resources, to deliver high-quality training. This commitment to quality ensures that every learner receives an engaging, practical, and academically robust learning experience, enabling them to apply their advanced knowledge effectively in clinical settings.
Whether the goal is to broaden professional capabilities, specialise further within orthodontics, or strengthen a portfolio of achievements, this Level 7 postgraduate diploma provides an invaluable pathway for motivated dental professionals ready to excel in their field.
Course Contents of QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics):
The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics), offers 120 Credits, requiring a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 1200 hours, including 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
| Unit Ref# | Unit Title | Credit | GLH | TQT |
| QC27057-1 | Advanced Principles of Orthodontic | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27057-2 | Orthodontic Diagnosis and Case Assessment | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27057-3 | Treatment Planning and Appliance Therapy | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27057-4 | Complex and Interdisciplinary Orthodontic Cases | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27057-5 | Orthodontic Patient Care, Ethics, and Risk Management | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27057-6 | Research Methods and Clinical Practice in Orthodontics | 20 | 100 | 200 |
Entry Requirements for the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics):
To enroll in the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics), following are requirement:
Minimum Age
- Learners must be 21 years or older at the time of registration.
Educational Background
- A recognised Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry (BDS or equivalent) or an equivalent Level 6 qualification in a related dental discipline.
- Qualifications should be awarded by an accredited institution and recognised in the learner’s country of practice.
Professional Experience
- A minimum of two years of post-qualification clinical experience in dentistry, with exposure to orthodontic cases.
- Evidence of prior orthodontic training or continuing professional development is highly desirable.
Language Proficiency
- Learners whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through a recognised test such as IELTS (minimum score 6.5) or an equivalent qualification, unless prior education was delivered in English.
Commitment to CPD
- Applicants should demonstrate a clear commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and a desire to enhance their clinical expertise in orthodontics.
Access to Required Resources
- Learners must have access to a clinical environment, orthodontic equipment, and relevant casework to meet practical assessment requirements.
Centre Requirements
- Centres delivering this qualification must have competent, qualified staff, appropriate clinical and academic resources, and facilities to ensure high-quality training and learner success.
Learning Outcomes of QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics):
Advanced Principles of Orthodontics
- Critically analyse craniofacial growth and development in relation to orthodontic treatment.
- Apply advanced concepts of biomechanics to manage complex tooth movements.
- Evaluate emerging orthodontic techniques and their clinical effectiveness.
- Integrate evidence-based research into advanced orthodontic practice.
Orthodontic Diagnosis and Case Assessment
- Conduct comprehensive patient assessments using clinical, radiographic, and photographic records.
- Interpret cephalometric analyses to inform accurate diagnosis.
- Identify orthodontic problems and classify malocclusions according to recognised systems.
- Formulate initial treatment objectives based on individual patient needs.
Treatment Planning and Appliance Therapy
- Design personalised orthodontic treatment plans incorporating fixed, removable, and aligner systems.
- Select appropriate appliances based on case complexity and desired outcomes.
- Apply contemporary appliance technologies, including digital orthodontics.
- Monitor treatment progress and adapt appliance strategies to optimise results.
Complex and Interdisciplinary Orthodontic Cases
- Manage orthodontic cases requiring collaboration with surgical, restorative, or paediatric specialists.
- Develop treatment approaches for severe malocclusions and craniofacial anomalies.
- Coordinate interdisciplinary treatment sequencing for optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes.
- Evaluate treatment results and long-term stability in complex cases.
Orthodontic Patient Care, Ethics, and Risk Management
- Apply ethical principles to orthodontic decision-making and patient communication.
- Obtain and document informed consent in line with legal and regulatory standards.
- Implement risk management strategies to minimise clinical complications.
- Manage adverse events and maintain high standards of patient care.
Research Methods and Clinical Practice in Orthodontics
- Design and conduct orthodontic research projects using appropriate methodologies.
- Critically appraise scientific literature to inform clinical decisions.
- Undertake clinical audits to improve orthodontic service quality.
- Integrate research findings into everyday orthodontic practice.
The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics) is designed for experienced dental professionals who wish to specialise or advance their expertise in orthodontics. It is ideally suited for:
- Qualified dentists seeking to broaden their clinical capabilities in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment.
- Dental practitioners aiming to enhance their professional profile and expand their service offerings.
- Clinicians intending to manage complex or interdisciplinary orthodontic cases in collaboration with other dental specialists.
- Dental professionals committed to fulfilling Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements at an advanced level.
- Practitioners who wish to integrate the latest orthodontic research, technology, and evidence-based practices into their clinical work.
This course is not intended for fresh candidates and is most beneficial for professionals with relevant academic qualifications, clinical experience, and a strong commitment to excellence in orthodontic care.
Centres delivering the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics (PgD Orthodontics) must meet the following requirements to ensure high-quality training and learner success:
- Qualified and Experienced Staff – Tutors, trainers, and assessors must hold relevant professional qualifications in dentistry or orthodontics, along with appropriate teaching and assessment credentials.
- Appropriate Clinical Facilities – Access to fully equipped dental or orthodontic clinical environments, including diagnostic and treatment equipment, to support practical learning.
- Learning Resources – Provision of up-to-date orthodontic literature, reference materials, and digital learning platforms to facilitate both theoretical and practical study.
- Assessment Capabilities – Systems and tools to conduct fair, valid, and reliable assessments in line with qualification standards.
- Quality Assurance Processes – Robust internal quality assurance procedures to maintain compliance with awarding body requirements and uphold training standards.
- Learner Support Services – Availability of academic and pastoral support to meet individual learner needs, including guidance on research and clinical practice.
- Compliance with Legal and Ethical Standards – Adherence to all relevant health, safety, data protection, and professional regulatory requirements.
These requirements ensure that delivery centres maintain the highest standards, providing learners with the knowledge, skills, and professional development opportunities needed to succeed at Level 7 in orthodontics.