BDS Dentistry at University of Bristol

This five-year degree comprises clinical activity with integrated scientific and technical teaching. With a strong core of clinical work throughout, theory, science, clinical skills, personal and professional development and teamworking are integrated at the relevant levels.

Year one introduces the clinical environment through peer group activities and observations. Clinical skills training and patient contact commence early in year two.

Later in the programme you can choose to intercalate in a science subject to obtain an Honours BA or BSc. There is the opportunity to undertake community work in the UK or abroad during your elective in year four.

The programme structure is helical, with four main themes of development: Practitioner, Scholar and scientist, Professional and Agent of Change, Person and Citizen. You will be introduced to basic concepts in the healthy patient before progressing to apply your knowledge and skills to treat an increasingly complex range of oral disease.

You will begin your dental practice in the Bristol Dental Hospital before extending your practice to community teaching clinics in the city. Here you will treat patients with a wide variety of dental disease in a primary care setting in preparation for dental practice beyond graduation.

Student welfare is central to our programme and you will have access to a wide range of support, starting with our well developed in-house personal tutor network.

Health and Disclosure and Barring Service check
Certain health conditions may be incompatible with careers in dentistry. Before starting your degree you will need to complete a health assessment questionnaire and pre-course screening for blood-borne viruses. These blood tests are to identify the few whose health status may place them and/or future patients at risk. Please note that as part of your training you will come into contact with human and animal cadaveric material.

Practising dentistry demands the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. In accordance with General Dental Council guidelines, all dental students must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For more information, please visit our guidelines for students on the DBS disclosure page.