Dentistry BSc

Year 1

You will be introduced to aspects of clinical dentistry, supported by the teaching of clinical medicine, patient management & health promotion and biomedical sciences such as anatomy, physiology and microbiology.

Year 2

You will be introduced to the theory and practice of the subjects that form the clinical basis of dentistry: operative dentistry; prosthodontics; and periodontics. As part of the introduction to operative dentistry you will learn about the treatment of dental caries, carried out in a simulated clinical setting.

Knowledge from year 1 is built upon by further study of biomedical sciences, clinical medical sciences and patient management & health promotion. You will also begin the management and treatment of patients.

Year 3

You will expand your skills in all aspects of restorative dentistry and will also carry out your first extraction and take your first radiographs. You will attend outreach placements in paediatric dentistry. Other teaching includes a comprehensive head and neck anatomy course, the dentist’s role in providing smoking and alcohol advice, initial preparation for the provision of sedation, and self-directed work within various subject areas.

During year 3 you are required to undertake a period of elective study. You will work towards this during the year and there will be a dedicated period of time situated after your year 3 exams to finalise and present your project. You will work with a supervisor to help you plan your study. This is an opportunity for personal and professional development. Possible elective study options include:

• an audit project
• an educational comparison
• involvement in ongoing research projects (quantitative or qualitative)
• a healthcare project in a remote or low-income country.

Year 4

You will continue to work in the Dental School and in the community and will have an opportunity to develop your clinical skills through exposure to patients in all the dental disciplines. Teaching includes oral medicine, sedation, orthodontics, and further aspects of patient management & health promotion.

Year 5

You will spend half your time in the Dental School and half working in outreach centres which are based in Public Dental service locations. You will be allocated to one residential and one non-residential outreach centre.

There will be a small number of lectures. You will attend sessions in each of the following core units:

• Restorative dentistry – Crown and bridge
• Minor oral surgery
• Endodontics
• Paediatric dentistry
• Periodontics
• Consultant clinics (1)
• Consultant clinics (2).