BDS in Dentistry University of Dundee

Dentists care for people’s oral health by preventing disease, promoting healthy lifestyles, and when necessary treating diseases of the soft tissues of the mouth as well as the teeth and gums.

As a future dentist, you need a caring attitude, good scientific knowledge and understanding, technical skills, and the ability to communicate well.

Our curriculum will encourage you to learn in an interactive and creative way in a supportive environment.

From the very beginning, you learn the fundamentals of the sciences that underpin dentistry and how they apply to clinical situations. You'll be able to put your new skills into practice in a clinical environment.

By the end of the first semester, you will be ready to meet your first patients, communicate professionally with them, understand their health issues, and prepare for starting simple clinical dental procedures in semester two.

There are many innovative features of studying in Dundee, for example, you can work with Thiel cadavers. The Thiel method of embalming preserves cadavers with life-like flexibility and tissue quality.

You will be able to take part in research projects through summer internships and participate in the Dental Wiki project.

In the annual Discovery Week, you can explore a topic of your own choice. You may choose to build on this through an elective study that can include travelling to see dentistry in a different culture.

Teaching & Assessment

You will be taught using the following methods:

• lectures
• tutorials
• practical laboratory sessions
• workshops
• clinical skills classes

From Level 3, a large proportion of your timetable will be dedicated to clinical sessions across the full range of dental disciplines.

You will be assessed throughout your course using:

• online multiple-choice formats
• assessments of practical and clinical skills
• coursework
• reflective portfolio

Graduates normally complete a vocational or foundation training programme to consolidate their skills and can then choose to work in general dental practice, in the public/community dental service, or in a hospital training as a specialist or consultant.

University teaching and research is another attractive avenue for graduates, while some join the armed forces as commissioned dental officers.