Program Overview

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Introduction to the Dental Surgery BChD Program

The University of Leeds offers a comprehensive Dental Surgery BChD program, designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to practice as a General Dental Council-defined Safe Practitioner Dentist. This five-year full-time program integrates clinical dentistry, science, and professional development, providing students with a well-rounded education in the field of dentistry.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The Dental Surgery BChD program is structured around four curriculum themes: Clinical Skills and Practice, Dental and Biomedical Science, Personal and Professional Development, and Enquire. These themes are delivered through a series of modules, each designed to build on the previous one, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive learning experience.

Clinical Skills and Practice

This theme focuses on the development of clinical knowledge, skills, and behaviors, with an emphasis on early exposure to the clinical environment. Students will learn to apply evidence-based knowledge to real patient care, developing their operative skills and professional behaviors.

Dental and Biomedical Science

This theme explores the underpinning science and health factors that inform clinical dental practice. Students will be taught by scientists and specialist clinicians, gaining a deep understanding of the pathology of the head and neck, as well as the latest scientific findings in areas such as disease mechanisms and tissue engineering.

Personal and Professional Development

This theme aims to prepare students as accountable professionals, able to understand the behaviors expected of a safe practitioner. Students will develop active learning approaches, reflecting on their experiences and taking ownership of their ongoing development.

Enquire

This theme focuses on developing students' ability to explore the wider population and societal aspects of dentistry, giving them the opportunity to develop their enquiry and research skills. Students will develop an understanding of their role and responsibilities as dental professionals in society, gaining insight into population-scale dental health and the inequalities that exist locally, nationally, and internationally.

Course Details and Modules

The program consists of five years of study, with each year building on the previous one. The modules are designed to be student-centered, active, engaging, and inclusive, with a range of teaching methods used to deliver the curriculum.

• Year 1: Introduction to clinical skills and practice, dental and biomedical science, personal and professional development, and enquiry.
• Year 2: Development of clinical skills and practice, dental and biomedical science, personal and professional development, and enquiry.
• Year 3: Continued development of clinical skills and practice, dental and biomedical science, personal and professional development, and enquiry.
• Year 4: Advanced clinical skills and practice, dental and biomedical science, personal and professional development, and enquiry.
• Year 5: Final year of study, focusing on the development of clinical skills and practice, personal and professional development, and preparation for registration with the General Dental Council.

Learning and Teaching

The School of Dentistry uses a range of learning and teaching methods, including face-to-face lectures, online live and pre-recorded lectures, seminars, and tutorial discussions. Clinical learning takes place in the clinical skills classrooms, using both haptic simulation technology and traditional phantom head activities.

Assessment

The program uses a variety of academic, clinical, and professional assessments to ensure students can demonstrate they have met the General Dental Council learning outcomes and behaviors required for registration as a dentist. Assessments are designed to test knowledge, understanding, application, and critical thinking, with a range of formats used, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and assignments.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the Dental Surgery BChD program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A-level: AAA, including Biology and Chemistry, excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.
• GCSE: A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade 6/B or higher, including Chemistry, Biology (or Dual Science), English, and Maths.
• Predicted grades must be included in the UCAS application, and applications without predicted grades will not be considered.
• Other qualifications, such as Access to HE Diploma, BTEC, Cambridge Pre-U, International Baccalaureate, and Irish Leaving Certificate, are also accepted.

Fees

The tuition fees for the Dental Surgery BChD program are:

• UK: Ł9,790
• International: Ł52,250 (per year)

Additional Costs

Students may incur additional costs for items such as:

• Sensible shoes for use in clinical skills labs and clinics
• DentSoc membership
• Travel expenses for external placements
• Exam resits
• Uniforms
• Intercalation and elective modules

Scholarships and Financial Support

The University of Leeds offers a range of scholarships and financial support to help students fund their studies. This includes scholarships for international students, UK students, and subject-specific scholarships.

Applying

Applications for the Dental Surgery BChD program must be made through the UCAS website by the 15th of October in the year preceding entry. The School of Dentistry does not accept applications for Dental Surgery BChD after this deadline and does not participate in UCAS Extra.

Career Opportunities

Employment prospects for dentists are good, with most UK graduates taking up a one- or two-year salaried Dental Foundation training post. As a qualified dentist, there are a range of opportunities open, including academia, general dental practice, hospital, community, and corporate settings, as well as international agencies.

Work Placements

Students will engage in a range of placement opportunities to develop their clinical experience, including clinical placements in the Leeds Dental Institute and outreach centers in Leeds and further afield.

Professional Requirements

The program is accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC), and successful completion of the program allows graduates to apply for GDC registration. The GDC quality assures all courses that lead to registration as a dental professional, and all graduates must have demonstrated they have met all GDC Safe Practitioner Framework learning outcomes and behaviors.

Code of Professional Conduct

The School of Dentistry has a Code of Professional Conduct that it expects all students to sign up to each year. The General Dental Council has published guidance on professionalism, which can be found on the GDC website.

Dress and Personal Appearance

The School of Dentistry has a dress policy to promote a clinical and professional appearance within the School and clinical placement facilities. Students' dress and personal appearance must meet public expectations of a professional person, and there are clinical dress requirements that must be followed.