Program Overview

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Dentistry, BDS

Introduction

Dentistry in Aberdeen is designed specifically for graduates, capitalising on the knowledge and skills you already have to ensure you become a first-class dental professional.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: BDS
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: A201

Our programme has been designed with graduates in mind, enabling you to capitalise on the existing knowledge and transferable skills from your previous degree. From day one, you will be preparing to be a dental professional, benefiting from early clinical problem solving and patient contact, and an integrated approach to learning.

The dental curriculum uses a variety of teaching methods including case based learning. The curriculum aims to:

• build on the transferrable skills that you bring
• encourage independence of learning and thinking using enquiry based learning methods
• centre on the clinical, social and emotional needs of the patient
• have patient contact early in Year 1 of the programme
• fully integrate the non-clinical sciences within the clinical curriculum

You will be engaged in reflective practice from an early stage in your clinical experience.

During the course, you will be taught by and observe a wide range of dental professionals from both primary and secondary care services. NHS Education for Scotland (NES), the dental protection organisations and the GDC are also engaged in many of the learning opportunities.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• DE2055 Applied Medical and Dental Sciences 1
• DE2066 OSPE – Anatomy and Oral Biology
• DE2067 Single Best Answer
• DE2068 Contemporary Professional Skills
• DE2069 Clinical Dentistry 1 – Year One
• DE2070 Clinical Dentistry 2 - Year One

Year 2

• DE3036 Clinical Scenario Papers 2
• DE3037 OSCE 2
• DE3045 Applied Medical and Dental Sciences 2
• DE3067 Clinical Scenario Reports
• DE3068 Contemporary Professional Skills 2
• DE3069 Clinical Dentistry 1 – Year Two
• DE3070 Clinical Dentistry 2 - Year Two

Year 3

• DE4036 Clinical Scenario Papers 3
• DE4038 OSCE 3
• DE4045 Applied Medical and Dental Sciences 3
• DE4067 Clinical Scenario Reports 2
• DE4068 Contemporary Professional Skills 3
• DE4069 Clinical Dentistry 1 – Year Three
• DE4070 Clinical Dentistry 2 - Year Three

Year 4

• DE5037 Clinical Skills & Practice Assessments
• DE5039 Integrated Structured Clinical Examination
• DE5045 Applied Medical and Dental Sciences 4
• DE5050 Clinical Scenario Papers 4
• DE5068 Contemporary Professional Skills 4
• DE5069 Clinical Dentistry 1 – Year Four
• DE5070 Clinical Dentistry 2 - Year Four

How You'll Study

The course has been designed specifically for graduates and encompasses a variety of modern educational methods for teaching and learning. There is a focus on independent and reflective learning whilst clinical work is introduced from year 1 to maximise clinical experience.

Teaching and learning strategies have been designed to meet the needs of a more mature student group with previous experience of university education and appropriate transferable skills.

A range of assessment methods are used including written examinations, such as single best answer questions and clinical scenario papers, and other practical exams. Objective clinical assessment of your clinical skills will be carried out by means of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) and Structured Clinical Objective Testing (SCOT) at appropriate stages. In your final year more amalgamated assessments will be used to assess your clinical skills by means of an Integrated Structured Clinical Examination (ISCE) and an assessment of some cases that you would have treated during your four years at the Institute of Dentistry.

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• Written examinations, such as single best answer questions and clinical scenario papers.
• Objective Structured Practical examinations (OSPE) to assess anatomy knowledge.
• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) (ISCES for final years) and Structured Clinical Objective Testing (SCOT) will provide clinical assessment of your skills.

Why Study Dentistry?

• The University of Aberdeen Institute of Dentistry offers the only graduate entry, four year, BDS programme in Scotland.
• The programme has been designed specifically for graduates and encompasses a variety of modern educational methods for teaching and learning. There is a focus on more independent and reflective learning, and clinical work is introduced from year 1 to maximise clinical experience.
• The Institute of Dentistry is a modern purpose-built facility with state-of-the-art equipment and teaching facilities.
• With only 80 BDS students in the whole Institute you will benefit from an excellent student:clinician ratio and numerous opportunities for 1:1 teaching time.
• You will be part of a wider community of students who study on the Foresterhill Health Campus, including medical and science students; undergraduates and postgraduates.
• You will have excellent student support systems and access to other shared facilities such as the medical/dental library and the Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare.
• The University and NHS Grampian continue to invest in new facilities on the Foresterhill campus demonstrating the commitment to the training and education of healthcare professionals.
• All students also spend some time in purpose built outreach facilities in Elgin (NHS Grampian) and in Stornoway (NHS Western Isles) which provide our senior dental students with excellent real-life experience in the community dental setting.

Entry Requirements

Training to become a dentist involves extensive and dedicated study, both as an undergraduate and life-long continuing professional development after qualification.

To avoid the disappointment of non-completion of a degree, or disillusionment with a subsequent career in dentistry once entered into the course, we need to ensure that applicants are entering this profession with their eyes open and understand the implications and commitments of such a career.

It is important to understand that there are Academic Requirements as well as Non-Academic Requirements for dentistry. In addition, all applicants must take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT).

Qualifications

• 2024 Entry: The entry requirement for admission is a good Honours degree (First or Upper Second-Class) in a medical or health-related science degree (e.g. biomedical science, anatomy, pharmacy). Candidates with a first degree in medicine will also be considered.
• 2025 Entry: The entry requirement for admission is a good Honours degree (First or Upper Second-Class) in a medical or health-related science degree (e.g. biomedical science, anatomy, pharmacy). Candidates with a first degree in medicine will also be considered.

The admissions process also involves suitably qualified applicants sitting an entrance test (UCAT) and the scores obtained are used with other criteria to select for interview. All applicants must complete this test in the year prior to entry. For more information on the UCAT test, including registration dates, please refer to the UCAT website.

English Language Requirements

To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 7.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 7.0; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 100 with: Listening - 21; Reading - 22; Speaking - 28; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 70 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 70; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 185 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 185; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• Home Students: £1,820

Careers

Our programme will lead to full GDC registration. The majority of new dental graduates move straight into a one year period of Foundation Training (Vocational Training) in NHS general practice. Successful completion leads to the award of a Vocational Training Number – an essential pre-requisite for taking up a contract with a Health Board to provide NHS dentistry in General Dental Practice or in the Salaried Dental Service. A minority of dentists will complete a second year of Foundation Training – generally in two hospital posts – or will have been employed in a two year post blending primary and secondary care experience. Completion of two years of Foundation Training and attaining Membership of one of the Royal Colleges is the usual route into Specialty Training, leading ultimately to employment as a NHS Consultant.

Following vocational training, a dentist may work as an associate, partner or principal in general practice, join the community dental service, the armed forces dental service, work in a hospital with a view to becoming a consultant, or become a clinical academic contributing to the training of the next generation of dental graduates.

Facilities

The Institute of Dentistry is based in a purpose built facility on the Foresterhill Health Campus. The complex features facilities for oral surgery, dental accident and emergency, restorative dentistry, integrated oral care, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, dental imaging as well as dental laboratories and office accommodation.

Related Undergraduate Degrees

• MBChB Medicine