Rebuild your confidence—hands-on, supported, and immediately relevant to everyday practice

Stepping back into clinic after time away (or starting out in NHS dentistry) can feel daunting. This three-module, hands-on programme is designed to help you refresh core restorative skills in a supportive, no-judgement environment—with minimal lecture time and the majority of the day spent practising procedures under expert supervision in a state-of-the-art phantom head laboratory.

Who this programme is for

This course is ideal for dental professionals who:

• Are returning to dentistry after a career break
• Are new to NHS dentistry and want to strengthen everyday clinical skills
• Want to rebuild chairside confidence in indirect and direct restorations

What you’ll practise (across 3 practical modules)

Indirect restorations: preparation & material selection

• Full- and partial-coverage tooth preparations (e.g., crowns/onlays)
• Indications and contraindications for indirect restorations
• Material-specific preparation principles for contemporary ceramics, including:
  • Lithium disilicate
  • Zirconia
  • Hybrid ceramics
• Recognising and avoiding common preparation errors
• Understanding laboratory communication and its clinical relevance (e.g., impressions, bite registrations, preparation design)

Temporisation & definitive luting

• Fabricating well-fitting provisional restorations to protect prepared teeth and maintain function/aesthetics
• Comparing temporary cements and when to use them
• Selecting and applying definitive luting protocols, including:
  • Resin-based cements
  • Conventional cements
  • Self-adhesive systems
• Practical cementation essentials: isolation, excess removal, finishing and protocols for long-term success

Contemporary direct restorations: composite & amalgam

• Cavity design and preparation for a range of direct composite restorations
• Layering, finishing and polishing to optimise aesthetics and longevity
• Understanding composite handling and properties for predictable results
• A focused review of amalgam where it remains clinically appropriate, including handling/condensation techniques
• Comparing adhesive protocols and bonding systems for different clinical contexts

Why LonDEC’s format works

• Hands-on only structure with minimal lecture-based teaching
• Intensive practice time in a phantom head skills laboratory
• Expert supervision throughout to help you refine technique and rebuild confidence step-by-step

CPD and certification

• 18 hours verifiable CPD in total (across the programme)
• Course notes included
• Certificate of attendance from LonDEC and King’s College London Dental Institute

Course tutor

Delivered by Ms. Chrisoula Nicolopoulos (BDS, PG Dip Med Ed).

If you’re looking for a practical, confidence-building route back to restorative dentistry—this programme provides structured hands-on time to help you return to practice with greater certainty.