Dentists are medical professionals who treat and cure the dental problems of patients. Dentistry courses in the UK are popular throughout the world because of research based study models that universities have in place, alongside state of the art facilities and world class teaching.
How long does it take to become a dentist?
If you are interested in becoming a dentist, it takes five years of undergraduate study at a dental school, followed by a minimum of 1 year supervised practice on real patients. Students will then need to register with the General Dental Council to be eligible to practise in the UK. Postgraduate dentistry programmes will allow you to focus on a specialist area which interests you.
Learn more about qualifications to be a dentist below and if you would like to begin your UK dentistry application, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.
Best UK Universities for Dentistry
According to the QS World University Ranking, the best universities for studying dentistry in the UK are:
King’s College London
The department of dentistry at King’s College London is the largest in the UK, graduating 150 dental students each year, and its flagship Dentistry BDS programme provides state-of-the-art clinical, simulation and technical facilities.
- Course offered: Dentistry BDS
Queen Mary, University of London
Located in East London, the Institute of Dentistry at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary, University of London offers a Dentistry BDS course that provides world class facilities and a holistic approach to learning.
- Course offered: Dentistry BDS
University College London
The Eastman Dental Institute at University College London is a specialist postgraduate dental facility for students who are seeking clinically-intensive programmes that are led by specialists in their field. The Eastman Dental Hospital is part of the largest hospital in Europe specialising in complex oral health care.
- Course offered: Orthodontics MClinDent
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham offers a rigorous study model by exposing students to critical care scenarios early in their learning. Birmingham is ranked in the top 25 in the world for Dentistry in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022 and students will learn from subject experts.
- Courses offered: Dental Surgery BDS and Endodontics MSc
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course is ranked 5th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Dentistry and students will be introduced to clinical settings early in semester 1 as you merge theory with practice
- Course offered: BDS Dentistry (first-year entry)
Required qualifications to be a Dentist
If you wish to become a dentist you will need:
- A-Levels in subjects such as biology and chemistry
- A BDS Dentistry degree from a UK university (six years to complete)
- To register with the General Dental Council to begin practising
Academically, you will need the following to successfully apply:
Undergraduate Dentistry
For undergraduate dentistry programmes, students need to have the following qualifications:
- You will need three A levels in subjects such as biology or chemistry
- Qualifying scores in either UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
- Valid scores in IELTS to prove proficiency in the English language with scores above 6.5
Postgraduate Dentistry
Postgraduate dentistry programmes in the UK generally have the following requirements:
- A graduate degree in dentistry or other related fields from a reputed college with a minimum grade range, which varies from university to university
- Work experience certificates (university-specific requirement)
- Valid scores in IELTS or other language examinations with acceptable scores, generally above 6
Other key skills to become a dentist include great communication skills, good eyesight and hand-eye coordination, exceptional concentration and attention to detail.
Study Dentistry in the UK
If you wish to learn more about becoming a dentist in the UK, contact SI-UK London today for a free consultation on your academic future.
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