Improving Your Image: Dental Photography in Practice from FutureLearn

Demystify photography Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more No previous knowledge is necessary, but there will be certain requirements in terms of equipment necessary to complete the course - particularly access to a digital SLR camera. Detailed advice on choosing a camera will be given at the start of the course, but if you’re keen to get a head start, then you can download Equipment Recommendations (PDF, 232k). The course is designed to be of interest and applicable to all members of the dental team. Time spent by UK dental professionals on this course will count as non-verifiable CPD. You can use the hashtag #FLdental to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Theory and practice of using photography in dental practice
The varied uses in dentistry of visual material in the form of images on computer and in print
Choice of correct equipment systems for efficient use of time and resources
Confidentiality and ethical use of images
Techniques for producing high quality images suitable for teaching and marketing

Reviews summary

Dental photography for clinical practice

According to students, this course provides a highly practical and immediately applicable foundation in dental photography, essential for clinical documentation, teaching, and marketing. Learners praise the clear, step-by-step guidance that demystifies photography concepts, making it ideal for beginners, even those new to DSLR cameras. Many found the equipment recommendations and comprehensive coverage of ethical considerations and patient confidentiality particularly valuable. While the course excels at fundamentals, a few students with prior photography experience felt some modules were too basic and wished for more advanced techniques or in-depth practical exercises beyond the theoretical foundation. Overall, it's considered a game-changer for modern dental practice.

Excellent basic knowledge but may lack advanced techniques.

"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit basic, and I wished for more advanced techniques or a deeper dive into specific tricky cases."

"For me, an experienced photographer, it was more of a refresher, but still good to see the dental-specific applications."

"It’s a good starting point, but not comprehensive for advanced users."

Provides thorough instruction on confidentiality and patient consent.

"The ethical considerations were also very well covered."

"I found the ethical guidelines particularly useful."

"The confidentiality section was thorough and essential."

"I now understand how to use my camera effectively... The ethical part was surprisingly in-depth and truly valuable."

Excellent for those new to photography or DSLRs.

"No previous knowledge is necessary... The course is designed to be of interest and applicable to all members of the dental team."

"As someone new to DSLRs, the equipment recommendations were super helpful. I appreciated the step-by-step guidance."

"The instructor's explanations were clear and easy to follow. I particularly enjoyed the sections on different camera views..."

"It really breaks down a complex subject into manageable parts."

Directly applicable to daily dental practice and documentation.

"This course is incredibly practical and immediately applicable to my dental practice."

"An absolute game-changer for my practice! The practical demonstrations were clear..."

"Perfect for someone like me who knew nothing about photography but needed to improve my clinical documentation."

Some desire more hands-on application and interactive exercises.

"The course was okay, but I expected more hands-on exercises or specific case studies. It was a good theoretical foundation, but I felt a bit lost when trying to apply some concepts without more guided practice."

"I found the course too theoretical and not enough practical application. While the information was there, I struggled to translate it into actual photo-taking."

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