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Diploma in Oral & Positive Health (Eduqual Level 7)

September 2026 – June 2027

What will you study?

The Diploma in Oral and Positive Health (Level 7) is a comprehensive program designed specifically for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists who seek to expand their knowledge and skills in promoting oral health and overall well-being. This diploma covers a wide range of topics, including academic writing, research,  lifestyle medicine, positive psychology, non-surgical periodontal care, implant care management, technology in health, sustainability, smoking and vaping, orthodontic and the patient journey, coaching, and oral care products.

The program places a strong emphasis on academic writing and research skills, enabling learners to effectively communicate their findings and opinions in a professional manner. They will learn various writing techniques and research methodologies, allowing them to conduct their own research projects in the field of oral and positive health.

Lifestyle medicine and positive psychology play a significant role in promoting oral health. Learners will explore the impact of lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep on oral health outcomes. They will also delve into the principles of positive psychology, learning how to apply them in their practice to enhance patient motivation and overall well-being.

Non-surgical periodontal care and implant care management are essential skills for dental hygienists, therapists and dentists. This diploma provides in-depth knowledge and practical training in these areas, equipping learners with the expertise to effectively diagnose or collect data, treat, and manage periodontal diseases and implant-related diseases.

Technology in health is a rapidly evolving field, and this diploma ensures that learners are up-to-date with the latest advancements. They will explore the use of digital tools, imaging techniques, and other technological innovations in oral health assessment, treatment planning, and patient education.

Sustainability is a key consideration in modern healthcare, and this diploma incorporates the principles of sustainable practice. Learners will explore eco-friendly approaches to oral health care, waste management, and resource utilization, ensuring that they contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.

Smoking and vaping are significant risk factors for oral health, and this diploma addresses their impact on oral health outcomes. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of smoking and vaping on oral tissues, as well as strategies for smoking cessation and promoting oral health in individuals who use these products.

Coaching skills are essential for effective patient communication and motivation. This diploma incorporates coaching techniques, enabling learners to empower their patients to take an active role in their oral health care and make positive behaviour changes.

Oral care products play a crucial role in maintaining oral health. Learners will gain knowledge about different oral care products, their ingredients, and their effectiveness. They will also learn how to educate patients on selecting and using appropriate oral care products for optimal oral health.

To ensure a holistic approach to learning, each learner will develop a personalised positive health plan throughout the course. This plan will focus on their own well-being, incorporating strategies for stress management, work-life balance, self-care, and personal growth. By prioritising their own positive health, learners will be better equipped to promote the well-being of their patients.

Overall, the Diploma in Oral and Positive Health (Level 7) offers dental hygienists and dentists a comprehensive and multidisciplinary program that enhances their knowledge and skills in oral health promotion, academic writing, research, academic poster design, lifestyle medicine, positive psychology, non-surgical periodontal care, implant care management, technology in health, sustainability, smoking and vaping, orthodontic and the patient journey, coaching, and oral care products.

September

Unit 1 – Positive Health Plan

• Tues 29^th– Orientation, Layout of Program

Designing Your Path to Personal Wellness: Creating a Personal Health Plan for Optimal Health -Siobhan Kelleher

October

Unit 2 – Unveiling the Significance of Medical Histories in Dentistry

• Tues 6^th – Medical Histories in Dentistry – Eilish Duffy- Online

This lecture will focus on the patient’s medical, social and dental information we can and should gather and what that information means in terms of patient management and disease management. An overview of preventing medical emergencies through the thorough use of medical history gathering and reviewing/auditing these processes, and taking a look at how the information gathered can improve patient care when treating and managing periodontal disease in line with the S3 guidance.

• Tues 6^th – Learning Portal- Lifestyle Medicine – Kathryn Mayo

October

Unit 3- Academic Skills for Research and Presentation

• Tues 13^th – How to analyse a study/paper-Elaine Tilling recap
• Tues 20^th – How to reference- Kathryn Mayo

October, November & December

Unit 4- Lifestyle Medicine and Nutrition

October

• Tues 27^th -Smoking and Vaping -Elaine Tilling

This session will look at the support for and arguments against the role of vapes in smoking cessation. Using current UK data, we will discuss the uptake of vaping in all time no smokers. Specifically in children and teenagers.  Current and planned increases in legislation and regulation will be presented alongside our understanding of the impact of vapes in general and oral health

November

• Tues 3^rd – Global Oral Health, Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Care- Dr

Rachael England

This lecture will provide an overview of the current global oral health landscape and the activities that are underway to reduce the burden.

• Tues 10^th – Health Inequalities: The Importance of Social Justice-Simone Ruzario

Social Justice and Health Inequalities- What can health professionals do to support and tackle health inequalities? This presentation will shine a light on the oral health inequalities affecting the  population brought about by social injustice. It will encourage participants to consider their own biases and consider how social prescribing can work within dental settings.

• Tues 17^th – Sugar: pure, white, and deadly -Tim Ives 

The power of the sugar industry is not to be taken lightly. Every year, global sugar

consumption increases more than the population, and every year, more and more people become unhealthier and many die as a result. Approximately 85% of the products sold in a supermarket contain sugar, and the majority of people in the Western World are now addicted to this white powder. I will tell the story of how this all began and how we arrived at this point in time. I will explain how some sugars can be used to make us healthier and finally go on to discuss the outcomes of my original research and how this information can be used to positively help change the behaviour of our friends, families and patients.

• Tues 24^th – Stress. Gut Health, Epigenetics Nina Farmer

To discuss epigenetics, stress, gut health and the effects of each on the human body

December

• Tues 1^st – Nutrition and the periodontal patient- Nina Farmer

Inflammation and the immune system, as well as an examination of the additional nutrients required to support patients with periodontal disease. What is the latest evidence?

• Learning portal – Oral Health and the Female Lifecycle: Contraception and Pregnancy

Juliette Reeves

Early studies on the effect of oral contraceptives on the periodontium have shown increased gingival inflammation in women taking oral contraceptives. Pregnancy is also a critical time in a woman’s life when oral health is of fundamental importance. Identifying the effect of female hormone fluctuations on the periodontium during hormone-based contraceptive use and pregnancy is important in both female life stages to ensure stable periodontal health

This lecture aims to discuss how fluctuating levels of female hormones during hormone-based contraceptive use and pregnancy can impact the periodontium.

• Learning Portal – Oral Health and the Female Lifecycle: Adolescence Juliette Reeves

Throughout the reproductive life cycle of women, fluctuating levels of sex hormones have direct and indirect effects on oral health, influencing susceptibility to periodontal disease. During the menopause, female hormone deficiency can impact the periodontium and oral tissues, increasing the risk of periodontal disease and other oral conditions. The dental team must understand the effect of hormone status on the oral health of our female patients and recognise our role in promoting oral systemic health and its impact on women’s overall health.

• Oral Health and the Female Lifecycle: Menopause and Beyond Juliette Reeves

This lecture aims to provide an overview of female hormones and how hormone status can impact the oral health of our female patients, from menopause and beyond. Throughout the reproductive life cycle of women, fluctuating levels of sex hormones have direct and indirect effects on oral health, influencing susceptibility to periodontal disease. During the menopause, female hormone deficiency can impact the periodontium and oral tissues, increasing the risk of periodontal disease and other oral conditions. The dental team must understand the effect of hormone status on the oral health of our female patients and recognise our role in the promotion of oral systemic health and its impact on the health of women

December

Online lecture- Positive Psychology, Mindset – Siobhan Kelleher 

A lecture on positive psychology to learn evidence-based strategies—strengths , gratitude and reframe techniques, to boost wellbeing, increase engagement, and apply simple daily habits for lasting positive change.

• Tues 8^th – Beyond the Clock: Psychology of Time and Cultivating Work-Life Harmony -Dr Mahrukh Khwaja

Exactly how we spend our time matters for both our professional and personal lives. In this practical workshop, we explore the psychology of time, research insights on how to create a better work-life harmony, and digital well-being strategies. 

• Tues 15^th – Coaching workshop-Siobhan Kelleher

Coaching is a transformative process involving structured conversations between a coach and a client. It is a non-judgmental and confidential space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Coaches utilise questioning techniques, active listening, and feedback to facilitate self-discovery, goal-setting, and action planning. By fostering a supportive and empowering environment, coaching enables individuals to tap into their inner potential, overcome challenges, and achieve sustainable success

January & February

Unit 6- Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

• Tues 5^th – Periodontitis vs lifestyle: The battle for periodontal supremacy-Dr Varkha Rattu

In this lecture, you will explore the biological mechanisms linking lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet, and stress, to periodontal diseases. We will examine the current evidence on how these factors influence periodontal health and disease progression. The session will also highlight practical initiatives and strategies for addressing lifestyle factors in primary dental care, empowering you to support patients in managing their periodontal health.

• Tues 12^th MINST – Minimally Invasive Non-Surgical Therapy-Dr Varkha Rattu
• Tues 19^th –The Perio-Restorative interface – Dr. Ian Dunn-Acteon

This lecture will look at the interface between periodontal issues and restorative treatment. We will look at topics such as biological width invasion and gingival recession management, and how issues can be manipulated depending on the needs of the patient

• Tues 26^th – The Perio-ortho interface – Dr Ian Dunn Acteon

This lecture will look at the interface between periodontal disease and orthodontic treatment. It will look at the clinical guidelines for managing these patients, How to get your patients ready to start orthodontics, and the issues that can impact periodontal and healthy patients and their periodontium when having ortho.

February

• Feb 2^nd – Implant Management – Jenny Walker

Discussion will take place around differential diagnosis, identifying when to refer, referral pathways and principles of instrument selection in relation to the diagnosis, radiographic protocol and non-surgical therapy.  The key elements of instrumentation around an implant dependant on diagnosis and how the S3 CPG may be implemented to better support the patient.

February

Unit 7- Non-Surgical Periodontal Debridement Tools

• Tues 9^th – Piezo USS, Air polishing, Powder Therapy, Composite maintenance  – Lauren Long

The module on Non-Surgical Ultrasonic Scaling, Inserts and Tip Selection, Air Polishing, and Powder Therapy focuses on equipping learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform effective and efficient non-surgical periodontal therapy using ultrasonic scaling techniques, as well as the use of air polishing and powder therapy.

• Tues 16^th – Mid-term break
• Tues 23^rd – Case study workshop- Referencing & Research- Elaine Tilling

Learning portal -Hand Instrumentation and Sharpening, – Magnetostrictive USS– Judy Caesley

To broaden the dental health professionals understanding of the range of hand instruments available to carry out a blended treatment approach to support the effective management of dental diseases following the EFP S3 guidelines

March

Unit 8-Digital Revolution-Embracing the Power of Technology

• Tues 2^nd – Building a Greener Future: The Path to Sustainable Dentistry-Tracy Doole

As a result of this session, delegates will have a better understanding of the impact climate change has within dentistry, the principles of sustainability, brief overview on sustainable quality improvement and a broader understanding of the life cycle analysis of oral health care products

• Tues 9^th –Digital Dentistry: Transforming Patient Care with Cutting-Edge Technology – Cat Edney

This lecture focuses on integrating digital tools and technologies to enhance patient care, communication, and clinical outcomes within a dental team setting. It emphasises the use of visual teaching aids to support diagnosis, treatment planning and patient education.

March -May

Unit 9-Oral Care Products and Maintaining Oral Health

• Tues 16^th – Identifying patients at risk of erosive tooth wear and the use of BEWE-Basic Erosive Wear Examination- Linda Perry -Haleon

With changes in diet and lifestyle, and increasing life expectancy, enamel wear and acid erosion are becoming increasingly significant challenges in the long-term management of dental health. Join the session to find out more on the use of the BEWE to screen patients Helping patients prevent wear and maintain tooth enamel.

• Tues 23^rd – The use of Biometric Toothpastes in Dental Prevention- Louisa Clarke 

As a result of this session, delegates will gain a greater understanding of the dental hard tissues at nanoscale, how they are protected naturally in the oral environment to prevent caries, erosion and dental hypersensitivity and how we can prevent and restore loss of tissue and function using the latest biometric, bioactive pastes.

April

• Tues 30^th -Easter break
• Tues 6^th -Easter break
• Tues 13^th – Oral care for the patient living with cancer -Jocelyn Harding 

As the statistics of diagnosis are increasing from 1:3 to 1:2, we shall meet and care for these patients both professionally and personally. A collaboration of medical professionals and dental professionals working with a holistic team approach will enable the patient to receive the best comprehensive care. This webinar will aim to support the audience with oral care guidance.

• Tues 20^th –From Brush to Smile: Unveiling the secrets of Effective Toothpaste- Judy Caesley 

To broaden the dental health professionals understanding of the range of toothpastes available on the market in order to aid in the management of dental diseases, tailoring to the individual patients; requirements and oral health needs.

• Tues 27^th – Carpe Diem: the periodontitis paradigm, who does what, why ,how, and does it really matter?  Prof Iain Chapple

This presentation will address the important question of whether periodontitis is important, how it is best managed and who the various actors are in the journey from disease to stability. It will discuss the burden of the disease on the state, on humankind, on individuals and how prevention is vital to turn around the increasing prevalence of this disease, but what the barriers to that are. It will look at aspects of the S3-level Clinical Practice Guideline and focus on patient-relevant outcomes, risk factor management and behaviour change in a brave new world.

May

• Tues 4^th – Rinsing away the Myths: The Power of Mouth Rinses for Oral Health -Judy Caesely

To broaden the dental health professionals understanding of the range of mouth rinses/wash available on the market in order to aid in the management of dental diseases, tailoring to the individual patients requirements and oral health needs.

• Learning Portal -Oral Cancer in Primary Care- Emma Riley

May

Unit 10 – Smoking and Vaping. Orthodontics and Patient Journey

• Tues 11^th – Straight Talk: The Transformative Power of Orthodontics – Elaine Tilling

A lecture on orthodontics & maintenance aids: A concise, practical session for patients and caregivers covering types of braces and retainers, daily oral-hygiene techniques, essential maintenance tools (interdental brushes, floss threaders, water flossers), troubleshooting common issues, and tips to protect your treatment and long-term results.

• Tues 18^th – Human Factors- Fiona Ellwood

Human Factors is not new, but within dentistry, it is very much in its infancy. Looking at patient safety through a different lens is well overdue, as is the need to rid the profession of the blame culture that is so often seen

• Tues 25^th – Leadership and being your own true self -Joanne Bowles

This presentation will cover some fundamentals of leadership. It will enable participants to reflect on themselves as leaders, facilitating personal growth and development by setting goals to become the best version of themselves.

June

Unit 11 -Sustainability in Dentistry

• Tues 1^st – Transformational Coaching Workshop – Q& A Siobhan Kelleher

Final-course coaching workshop: forward-looking session to close the course—reflect on learning, define personal and team coaching goals, create a 30-day action roadmap, and practice future-focused conversations to sustain growth