Getting involved in research

You do not need to wait until you graduate to get involved in oral health research. Undergraduate degrees provide an ideal opportunity to develop new research skills and discover whether an academic career might interest you.

Getting involved in research

How can I get involved in research?

There are different ways to take part, depending on your course, interests and the opportunities available at your university. You do not need to commit to a research career to benefit from the experience.

Ask your tutor about opportunities to support an existing project. Depending on the project, you may be able to help with a literature review, collect data under supervision or contribute to laboratory work. Some universities offer summer research placements or student research schemes.

Research may be incorporated into your degree through compulsory or optional projects. These can help you understand how evidence is generated and used in clinical practice.

University seminars and research conferences offer opportunities to learn about current work in oral health, including annual student research conferences. Speaking to researchers can help you identify areas that interest you and find out about future opportunities. Some conferences offer funded places for undergraduate students.

Many dental schools offer students the opportunity to intercalate, usually by taking an additional year to study for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related subject. This enables students to explore a subject in greater depth and gain research experience.

An intercalated degree can provide more in-depth research experience and you may be able to explore a topic such as oral health sciences or a related biomedical subject.

Intercalation usually involves additional tuition fees and living costs. Funding arrangements vary, so check your eligibility for student finance and any support offered by your university before applying.

If intercalation is not available or does not suit your circumstances, you can still explore research through shorter projects, summer placements or research electives. Ask academic staff about their work and whether there are opportunities for students to contribute.

Research opportunities for dental hygiene and dental therapy students

Research is just as important to dental hygiene and dental therapy as it is to dentistry. Researchers with backgrounds in dental hygiene, dental therapy and other dental care professions have helped advance our understanding of oral health and improve approaches to preventative and clinical care.

Depending on your course and university, you may be able to contribute to an existing research project, undertake a research-related assignment or attend seminars led by researchers. Ask your tutor what opportunities are available to students.

Could a clinical academic career be for you?

Clinical academics combine clinical practice with research or teaching. Their work helps improve the evidence-base for the care patients receive, while also contributing to the education of future dental professionals.

You do not need to decide on an academic career while you are an undergraduate. Getting involved in research can help you discover what the work involves and whether you would like to explore it further.

Visit CATCH, the Clinical Academic Training and Careers Hub, to explore clinical academic careers . Its guidance on early research and academic opportunities explains how students can gain early experience and outlines possible career pathways. CATCH also provides information about clinical academia across other healthcare professions.

Clinical academic dentistry

Getting started

You do not need to develop your own research question or lead a project independently as an undergraduate. Start by speaking to a tutor or academic whose research interests you. They can explain what opportunities are available and what involvement would be appropriate at your stage of training.

Explore CATCH

The Clinical Academic Training & Careers Hub (CATCH) is the home for information on clinical academic careers, showcasing guidance and inspiration for your journey.
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