Dental schools update work experience requirements
Dental schools understand that for many applicants, gaining work experience in dental settings can be difficult. From 2024, dental schools have agreed to ease work experience requirements for both BDS courses and Dental Care Professional Programmes (Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy and Nursing).
What are the new requirements?
Dentistry
Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they are making an informed choice to study dentistry through career exploration. To do this, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the dental profession and be able to explain what has attracted you to the profession. You should be clear about the possible career opportunities and how these compare to other healthcare professions.
Many schools, though not all, will also recommend having experience working, volunteering, or observing in healthcare environments, particularly within general dental practice.
Dental Care Professional Programmes (Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy)
Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they are making an informed choice to study to become a DCP (Dental Care Professional) through career exploration.
To do this, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the profession and be able to explain what has attracted you to the profession. You should be clear about the possible career opportunities and how these compare to other healthcare professions. If possible, you would also have experience working, volunteering, or observing in healthcare environments, particularly within general dental practice.