Dentistry

Why study Dentistry at Dundee

The BDS curriculum in Dundee will help you develop the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to graduate as a dental practitioner capable of maintaining the oral and dental health of the patients in your care. Not only will you develop clinical skills across the full range of dental disciplines, but you will also build the foundation of scientific knowledge on which clinical practice is based. In addition, you will appreciate the ethical and legal basis for dental practice, and acquire appropriate skills for communicating with your patients and helping them deal with what many find an anxious experience.

The dentist also works as part of the dental team and you will learn about the roles and responsibilities of all members of this team and work with them in the care of your patients.

Staff in the Dental School are committed to your teaching and development as dental practitioners. The School is small enough for you to get to know the staff well and the care and support provided for our students is recognised as excellent.

Dental knowledge and practice is ever-changing and developing and an important aim of the BDS curriculum is that you appreciate that your undergraduate learning is the first phase in a professional education that will continue throughout your career.

Professional Accreditation

This programme is registrable with the professional governing body for dentistry in the UK, the General Dental Council (GDC).

Elective study

You will have the opportunity for a period of elective study between Years 4 and 5 of the course, when you can undertake a project in an area of dentistry of specific interest to you. Many students take this chance to travel overseas to gain experience of dental practice in environments very different to the UK, broadening both their educational and personal horizons. Some students take the opportunity to extend this experience by spending the first semester of Year 5 on an Erasmus exchange programme. The Dental School has agreements with dental schools in France, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Norway and this provides an excellent chance for you to experience both dental education in a different context and the cultural and social benefits of spending an extended period of time in another country.

Outreach centres

From the end of Year 4 you will also spend a considerable amount of time in outreach centres, both local and distant from Dundee, set up to help improve access to dental care. Here you will treat a wide variety of patients in settings different to the Dental Hospital, broadening your clinical experience. This element of the curriculum is very popular with students.

Furthering your career opportunities

The Dental School has a strong record of offering selected students the opportunity to undertake an Intercalated Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) degree. This one-year programme, taken following Year 2 of the BDS, provides an opportunity for the in-depth study of one of a range of disciplines and will help you develop study and research skills useful to both your dental studies and your career opportunities beyond graduation.

Teaching & Assessment

BDS Dentistry is taught by staff in the Dental School & Hospital, and is located on the University's city campus. The Dental School, which was inaugurated in 1916, is at the forefront of research, teaching and clinical dental practice and benefits from being an integral part of the College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing.

Careers

Dundee's BDS is registrable with the General Dental Council (GDC) and a wide range of opportunities is available. Graduates normally complete a vocational or foundation training programme and can then choose to work as an associate partner or principal in a general practice, in the community dental service, or in a hospital with a view to becoming a consultant.

Other career opportunities include:

• University teaching and research is another attractive avenue for the outstanding graduate.
• Dental surgeons can join the armed forces as commissioned officers.
• Several large companies employ their own dentists to provide dental treatment for their staff.

A dentist, therefore, in addition to enjoying high community standing and an above-average income, has an excellent range of working environments.

Entry Requirements

The Physical and Mental Demands of the BDS Course

The Dental Course is long and demanding, both physically and mentally. You will, for example, require sufficient bi-manual dexterity to handle, simultaneously, the necessary equipment to treat patients and a dental mirror to allow you to see what you are doing. Dentistry can involve very detailed work under conditions that are often difficult, so you need a steady hand and good vision (with spectacles if need be).

If you have a disability which you feel might impact on your ability to meet these demands, you are urged to consult the School as soon as possible in the application process so that we can discuss the implications with you, including any adjustments that can be made to meet your needs. Please contact one of the School's Disability Support Officers (DSO) - Miss Lorraine Robertson l.j.y.robertson@dundee.ac.uk or Mr John Gray j.d.m.gray@dundee.ac.uk, as a preliminary step. Further information on the University's provision for disabled students is available at: www.dundee.ac.uk/disabilityservices/

Patient safety is paramount and it is particularly important to consider any difficulties that would compromise this so that we can ascertain what arrangements can be put in place to assist you while guaranteeing that safety. In order to register with the General Dental Council (GDC), dental students must also be capable of "independent dental practice" by graduation. Dentists thus require to be able, to a sufficient extent and without assistance, to write or type prescriptions accurately, to understand written and spoken reports on patients and to communicate information to others by the same means. This process includes the use of dental and medical terminology, some of which can involve words that are superficially similar, and students likely to encounter difficulties in these areas are strongly encouraged to discuss the matter as early in the course as possible with the Teaching Subdean or Dean of Dentistry.

Further information about dental courses and requirements are available on the General Dental Council web pages. In particular, please read: Standards for Dental Professionals and the First Five Years. Before practising dentistry in the United Kingdom, BDS graduates must register with the General Dental Council. The registration process involves health screening and such other checks as the GDC decide to make.

Special Requirements

• All potential dental students are required to undergo screening for blood borne viruses (Hepatitis B and C, and HIV) prior to their place at the Dental School being confirmed. Details regarding testing will be sent to you when you apply.
• A full course of immunisation against Hepatitis B will be required.
• A Disclosure for Criminal Convictions will also be required. You are at liberty not to give permission for this but in that event we will be unable to process your application further.
• Sufficient bi-manual dexterity to handle simultaneously the necessary equipment to treat patients is required. Please consult the School as soon as possible if you have a disability that might impact on your ability to meet these demands.
• Sufficient English language proficiency to be capable of 'independent dental practice' (a requirement of the General Dental Council for registration as a dentist). This means being able - without assistance - to write or type prescriptions accurately, to understand written and spoken reports on patients and to communicate information to others by the same means.

Selection for Dentistry

Gaining a place at dental school is competitive and we have more applicants than places. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about becoming dentists and who display commitment. Ideally candidates should have undertaken some work shadowing. Selection is on the basis of academic qualifications, your personal statement, your referee's report and an interview.

1. All Highers and A-Levels must have been obtained at one sitting at the first opportunity applicants have to sit these examinations. That is in S5 one year after Standard Grades for Highers and two years after GCSE for A-Levels. Re-take Highers or A-Levels are not normally considered.
2. Whichever of the named SQA or GCE subjects has not been passed at Higher Grade or Advanced Level must normally have been passed at Standard Grade or GCSE respectively. A pass in Combined or Dual Science at GCSE may be acceptable instead of a single GCSE pass in Physics. A pass at Standard Grade or GCSE Mathematics is also normally required.
3. An Advanced Level in Physical Science will satisfy the requirements of both Chemistry and Physics but will count as only one pass.
4. Exceptionally, for first year entry, a non-Science subject may be accepted as a third Advanced Level along with Chemistry and Biology.
5. The predental year is designed for very able applicants who have a predominantly non-Science background (ie. have studied not more than one Science at Higher or A-Level).
6. All applicants will be expected to undertake the UKCAT test. Information on this test can be found at the UKCAT website. Excellent performance in Higher or A-Levels, and at interview, remain the key parameters used in the admissions process.

Courses starting September 2013

Gaining a place at dental school is competitive and we have more applicants than places. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about becoming dentists and who display commitment. Ideally candidates should have undertaken some work shadowing.

Selection is on the basis of information taken from your UCAS application (academic qualifications, your personal statement, the referee's report), the UKCAT test and your performance at the proposed Multiple Mini Interviews to be held in January / February 2013.

BDS Level 1 entry

Qualification	Grade
SQA Higher	AAAAB (minimum), at the first sitting of Highers
GCE A-Level	AAA, at the first sitting of A levels (A2)
ILC Higher	AAA AAA, at the first sitting of Highers
IB Diploma	37 points (including 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level), with no retakes
Essential Subjects	Biology and one other science(SQA Higher, A level, ILC Higher or IB-Higher level at 6)
Graduate Entry	Each year we are able to offer a few places to well qualified graduates who must have a first class Honours degree, preferably in a Life Science subject.
EU & International	Visit our EU and International webpages for entry requirements tailored to your home country

BDS Predental Year Entry

Lacking 3 Sciences? Consider the Predental Year

The predental year is designed for able students who have no Science subject qualifications.

Qualification	Grade
SQA Higher	AAAAB (minimum), at the first sitting of Highers
GCE A-Level	AAA, at the first sitting of A levels (A2)
ILC Higher	AAA AAA, at the first sitting of Highers
IB Diploma	37 points (including 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects	No more than one Science (SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, ILC Higher or IB Higher Level). The science subject offered if any should not be Biology.

Notes

• All Highers and A-Levels must have been obtained at one sitting at the first opportunity applicants have to sit these examinations.  That is in S5 one year after Standard Grades for Highers and two years after GCSE for A-Levels.  Re-take Highers or A-Levels are not normally considered.
• Attainment at Standard grade for SQA applicants and at GCSE and AS level for A level applicants will be taken into account.
• Whichever of the named SQA or A level subjects has not been passed at Higher Grade or Advanced Level should normally have been passed at Standard Grade or GCSE respectively.  A pass in Combined or Dual Science at GCSE may be acceptable instead of a single GCSE pass in Physics.
• An Advanced Level in Physical Science will satisfy the requirements of both Chemistry and Physics but will count as only one pass.
• For first year entry, a non-Science subject may be accepted as a third Advanced Level along with Chemistry and Biology.
• The predental year (UCAS code A204) is designed for very able applicants who have a predominantly non-Science background (ie. have studied not more than one Science at Higher or A-Level).
• All applicants will be expected to undertake the UKCAT test.  Information on this test can be found at the UKCAT website

Other Requirements

• All potential dental students are required to undergo screening for blood borne viruses (Hepatitis B and C, and HIV) prior to their place at the Dental School being confirmed. Details regarding testing will be sent to you when you apply.
• A full course of immunisation against Hepatitis B will be required.
• A PVG check with Disclosure Scotland will also be required.
• Sufficient bi-manual dexterity to handle simultaneously the necessary equipment to treat patients is required. Please consult the School as soon as possible if you have a disability that might impact on your ability to meet these demands.
• Sufficient English language proficiency to be capable of 'independent dental practice' (a requirement of the General Dental Council for registration as a dentist). This means being able - without assistance - to write or type prescriptions accurately, to understand written and spoken reports on patients and to communicate information to others by the same means. You must demonstrate this via an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in any component, or an acceptable equivalent. For full details please visit our English Language Requirements webpage.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category	Fees for students starting September 2012	Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	Dow Memorial Trust Scholarship Other Scholarships
Students from the rest of the UK	£9,000 per year of study. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.	University of Dundee Bursaries Dow Memorial Trust Scholarship Other Scholarships
EU students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	Dow Memorial Trust Scholarship Other Scholarships
Overseas students (non-EU)	£26,750 per year of the BDS Clinical Degree £17,500 for the BDS Pre-Clinical Year	Dow Memorial Trust Scholarship Other Scholarships

Living Costs

• Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
• Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
• As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree	UCAS Codes	KIS data
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Dentistry	A200	View KIS data for this course
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Predental Year Entry	A204	View KIS data for this course

UCAS Application Process

All Dentistry Applicants

All applicants will be expected to undertake the UKCAT test before they apply. Your UKCAT score will be factored into the pre-interview rank. There is no specific cut off applied but obviously a high score is advantageous.

Our analysis of the 2010 applicants revealed that the average for those gaining offers was over 2,600. Applications without UKCAT will be rejected. Please visit the UKCAT website for information about the test, two complete practice tests, important dates and information about bursaries available.

Your Application

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

• Dentistry is a course that enables you to care for the patient's oral health. It requires an empathetic spirit and a desire to help people and communities.
• You will have to work very hard and acquire a great deal of knowledge and apply this throughout a long course.
• You will need to have first rate communication skills and enjoy working as part of a team.
• You will need to work with your hands and will have to acquire a high degree of manual dexterity.
• You will have to be reasonably fit, as completing the dental course requires a degree of mental and physical stamina. If you have a health concern you need to tell us about this so we can see if the course can be modified to take account of this.
• All potential dental students are required to undergo screening for blood borne viruses (Hepatitis B and C, and HIV) prior to their place at the Dental School being confirmed. Details regarding testing will be sent to you when you apply.
• A full course of immunisation against Hepatitis B will be required.
• A PVG check with Disclosure Scotland will also be required.

Tips for your application

• You need to have carefully investigated dentistry as a career and have undertaken some work shadowing with a general dental practitioner or community dentist. There is no prescribed length of time for this, but you should be able to tell us about your experiences in your personal statement.
• You will need to meet the high academic standards required for the course.
• Your personal statement should show some evidence of other interests. (e.g. sporting, musical, community involvement etc).

Dentistry Interview

It is proposed that for entry in 2012 Dentistry will adopt the method of interviewing known as Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).  

This will be a series of 10 seven-minute interviews. You can expect the usual topics to be covered in these interviews, e.g. why do you want to study Dentistry, what makes Dentistry at Dundee unique.  You will also be asked to expand on some aspects of your UCAS personal statement. 

We will be assessing your communication skills at most stations and also teamworking through a series of interactive interview stations, where you may have a task to complete or an actor to talk to.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have found that applicants to our Dentistry degree have a lot of other questions, so we have collected all the information together on our Dentistry FAQ webpage.

International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

• Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
• Fees and Funding
• English Language Requirements
• International Student Support

Any questions?

If you have any further questions, please contact: