UK Dental Schools

Dentistry is a degree course that is offered at sixteen UK Dental Schools. The course is usually five years of full time study for school leavers, leading to a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (BDS).

Click here for weblinks and phone numbers for all UK Dental Schools.

Please note that the UCAS deadline for applications to study Dentistry in autumn 2010 has now closed. The application deadline to study Dentistry in 2011 is 15 October 2010

It is advisable to find out as much as you can about the dentistry profession before making your application. Useful sources of information include;

• Careers officers
• Careers fairs
• Observational experience - contact your local dental hospital or practice to arrange a visit
• Profession specific websites:

                 British Dental Association

                 NHS Careers

                 The Royal College of Surgeons

The exact entry requirements differ between schools, with most requiring three good A level grades or equivalent. For further details please contact the individual schools directly or visit the UCAS website.

UCAS handles all applications to study Dentistry in the UK. Please note that the UCAS deadline for applications to study Dentistry in autumn 2011 closes on 15 October 2010.

UK Clinical Aptitude Test
Nine UK Dental Schools use the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) to supplement traditional measures of achievement. It will only form one part of the selection process and each school will determine the weight given to results. Check individual university websites to find out whether you will be required to sit the test - if so, all UK, EU and international applicants will be required to take the test. Please note that registration for the UKCAT test has now finished for applications to study in autumn 2010. Please note that test scores are only valid for applications made in the year in which the UKCAT test is taken.

Health requirements
It is important that students, as far as possible, are protected from infectious diseases that could be contracted from their patients. Similarly, dental schools have a duty of care to the patients with whom dental students come into close contact during their studies. Consequently, dental schools require entrants to produce satisfactory evidence of immunisation against hepatitis B and non-infectivity for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

You can download Dental Schools Council guidance on required immunisation here.

Non-UK applicants

Entry requirements to study in the UK are the same for UK and non-UK applicants. You should contact Admissions Staff at the Dental School where you hope to study to find out which non-UK qualifications are accepted. International students will also be required to undertake an IELTS test.

The British Council produces guidance for non-UK applicants.

Already qualified? The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education offers advice and information for non-UK qualified dentists who wish to work in the UK, to undertake general/specialist training, or to study for a postgraduate degree or diploma.

Options after qualification

After qualification as a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, students are expected to undertake one or two years of vocational training in a salaried role, known as General Professional Training. It is anticipated that this will soon be a requirement for all dentists upon qualification.

Most trainees opt for either Dental General Practice or specialisation for their career options. There are fifteen broad specialties, such as Oral Surgery, Endodontics and Paediatric Dentistry. The Royal College of Surgeons offers links to careers advice by specialty, as well as specific careers advice for trainees wishing to pursue academic dentistry (university teaching or research).