Primary Care Orthodontics

CGDent Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics

Delivered by IAS Academy, a CGDent Trusted Provider

Applications are now open for the next programme, starting in June 2026

Watch our three-part ‘Introduction to Orthodontics’ webinar series, led by Course Lead Prof Ross Hobson.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics is a comprehensive orthodontic programme that aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to treat more complex malocclusions including extraction cases. The course covers all appliance systems – fixed functional, aligners, lingual and Inman – and includes both the theory and practical aspects of orthodontic care.

The course extends over two years, with modules delivered in six blocks of three or four days, about three months apart. During the course you will discuss multiple new cases, participate in online webinars, hands-on practical sessions and will be mentored by specialists one-to-one, for ten treated cases.

This 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. This is to ensure that you have enough case-flow and experience.

You will be granted access to the IAS Assessment, Diagnosis and Records online course, which you are expected to complete by the time you commence the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics.

What does the course cover?

Through a combination of lectures, seminar and practical sessions, the programme covers:

• 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 

How is the course delivered?

We keep our class sizes small, a maximum of 12 students in each intake, to ensure you receive all the care and attention you need to successfully complete this advanced course. The programme is delivered through a blended-learning approach, over two years, with six courses of three or four days in length each.

Each of the six courses is delivered through hands-on practical sessions, presentations, online multiple-choice questionnaires, EMI’s and a written assignment.

Weekly online planning discussion

As part of the on-going course assessment, you will participate in an online forum alongside others in your cohort, considering different cases and questions on a weekly basis.

Supervised cases

The course lead, Prof Ross Hobson, will mentor you through ten cases – two to three cases for each of the six courses. This will involve bringing full records (trimmed study models, photos printed and on a memory stick, and radiographs original and on a memory stick) to each course.

Independent study

Whilst you are participating in each of the six courses, you will assess papers and/or cases overnight for discussion the following day.

Audit project

You will complete one audit on a project of your choosing, with further details provided on the first course.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics is a Level 7 course and is worth 120 credits.

GDC development outcomes: A, B, C

Assessment

Continuous informal and formal assessments throughout the programme will include hands-on practical sessions, presentations, and multiple-choice questionnaires.

A final examination will be held by the College of General Dentistry.

Your lead

Professor Ross Hobson

Other tutors include specialist orthodontists Dr Asif Chatoo FCGDent, Dr Josh Rowley, Dr Nina Shaffie, Dr James Stubbs and Dr Stephen O’Connor.

Training facilities

The IAS Academy training facility offers high-tech learning in an accessible location. Facilities include a state-of-the-art projector, surround sound system and ‘halfway’ mounted screens, which allow visibility for the entire classroom. Students’ comfortable work stations provide individual lighting and ample space and catering and refreshments are provided on-site.

Next course dates

The programme runs over two years and is supported by six courses of three or four days in length each.

Applications are now open for the next programme, starting on 4 June 2026.

The course dates are:

• Course 1: 4-6 June 2026
• Course 2: 9-12 September 2026
• Course 3: 3-5 December 2026
• Course 4: 15-17 April 2027
• Course 5: 8-10 July 2027
• Course 6: 18-20 November 2027

(These dates above may be subject to change in unforeseeable circumstances.) 

Fee

£13,950.00 +VAT (£16,740.00)

An initial non-refundable payment of £1,395.00 +VAT (£1,674.00) is required to secure your booking. The full balance is payable within 12 months of signing up for the course.

Please note that the course fee does not include accommodation, course literature or required materials and equipment.

Next steps

If you meet the course entry requirement of having treated at least ten fixed cases, register your interest here to find out more about the course and application details.

Introduction to orthodontics webinar series

Course lead, Prof Ross Hobson, hosts a three-part CGDent webinar series exploring the possibilities and limitations of orthodontic treatment with Fixed Braces, and an insight into the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics. The on-demand webinars are free to view for CGDent members and are available to non-members for a small fee.

• Webinar 1: Assessment, Diagnosis and Case Selection
• Webinar 2: Principles of Treatment Planning
• Webinar 3: Appliances, Retention & Training

Prof Hobson also discusses the complexity and importance of correct assessment and diagnosis of a patient before orthodontic treatment in his blog post, Orthodontics in general dentistry – an unknown, unknown