Statement on the adjustment of the cap on places for dentistry courses in 2021

The Dental Schools Council (DSC) welcomes confirmation from the Government that the cap on dental school places has been temporarily adjusted in order to accommodate those applicants who have met the terms of their offers after achieving the required grades. The DSC is committed to working constructively with the Government to try to create additional places while maintaining the high quality of dental education and training for which UK dental schools and hospitals are known.

Dental schools devote a great deal of time and attention to identifying candidates who have the potential to become good dentists. Dentistry is a competitive course for which to gain entry and is typically heavily oversubscribed. Fortunately, this high demand for places is matched by a surplus of qualified candidates who would be suitable for the course. Dental schools are conscious that this year’s cohort will have experienced disruption to their learning and as a result will require additional support in their transition to university. Due to the rigorous selection processes undertaken at all dental schools, the public should be reassured that all students who hold offers have been interviewed and deemed suitable for a career in dentistry.

Dental education and training is delivered by dental schools in collaboration with dental hospitals which provide clinical training to students throughout the course. One challenge posed by an increase in student numbers concerns the dental schools and hospitals’ ability to provide clinical placement opportunities for such students as well as to ensure there are appropriate facilities and resources to support their learning. Dental schools are committed to maintaining high standards of education and training for existing and new students and will work with the Government to ensure that any additional places are appropriately funded and allocated. While some dental schools may be able to take a modest increase in numbers, their ability to do so will be limited by specialist facilities and clinical placement opportunities. With the physical constraints on placement capacity some students may choose to move to a different dental school or to defer their place until 2022, and dental schools will support them in these moves.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

1. The Dental Schools Council is the representative body for dental schools across the UK and Ireland.
2. Unlike the majority of university courses, dentistry has tightly restricted entry numbers, determined by Government. In response to this year’s unprecedented situation the Government has adjusted the cap on dentistry places in England so that applicants which have met the terms of their offer after achieving the required grades can study dentistry. For more information, see here.
3. For more information on this statement, please contact Lucy Chislett, Communications Officer, on 02074195427 or email lucy.chislett@medschools.ac.uk.