Dentistry

Dentistry courses tend to work in the same way as the medicine courses, so it is worthwhile reading the section above on medicine courses. Most are five year programmes but 4 year accelerated programmes for graduates are also available.

First Dental Degrees

All first dentistry courses are basically the same, but the way in which they are taught will differ from institution to institution. Most will be taught through a series of lectures, tutorials and clinical practice and are the same as medical degrees in that the first two years are mostly theory based with the last three years based in dental surgeries.

Intercalated Degrees

Some dentistry courses allow time for study in another subject, usually a basic medical or dental science, or study may be available in another country. This lasts a year and you are awarded a separate degree at the end. These are known as intercalating degrees. Subjects may include: basic medical science, computing, immunology, dental materials, dental science, dental materials or anaesthetics.

The application process

You need to apply for first dentistry degrees through UCAS. The deadline is 15th October 2011 for entry in 2012 or deferred entry in September 2013. If your application is received after this date you will be considered as a late applicant. You do need to bear in mind that medicine and dentistry courses places fill up very quickly!
You can only apply for four dental courses per UCAS application.

Entry requirements

The individual schools set their own entry requirements so you will need to check the institution prospectus website or department directly to check that you meet or will meet their entry requirements. As a general rule you will probably need 5 GCSEs and 3 A-levels or equivalent including biology or chemistry with grades around AAA-ABB.

Graduates may also be accepted onto the 5 years courses and you will probably need at lest an upper second class Honours degree in biology, chemistry or another related subject.

Admissions tests

There are many highly-qualified students that apply for dentistry courses. As a result there are now a number of admissions tests that you may need to undertake as a part of the application process. These tests are used in the selection process by a consortium of medical and dental schools, to help them make fairer choices. The test that you need to complete depends on where you apply and what academic stage you are at.

The Admissions Tests are not substitutes for the admissions process through UCAS, they are an additional requirement. It is also worth noting that the test scores for all the admissions test are only valid for one application year.

UKCAT - The UK Clinical Aptitude Test

Registration will begin in June to take the test for entry in September 2012 and deferred entry in September 2013. To register go to www.ukcat.ac.uk. You will need to pay by credit or debit card when you register. The test currently costs £75. A bursary may be available for those in certain circumstances. UKCAT will be able to advise you on this.

Please remember that it is not a requirement for all dental programmes, only the Schools and courses listed below.

Please see the UKCAT section above for details on how it is presented.

Funding

Funding for dentistry courses is the same as medical degrees, so please read the Funding section above.

Useful contacts

General Dental Council
www.gdc-uk.org

British Dental Association
www.bda.org