Discover our full range of dentistry courses
Ranked #1 best UK university for dentistry
Early clinical experience
Community engagement




Details
Year 1

Core modules
BDS411
Integrated Dental Science 1 (BDS)
40 credits
This module introduces basic and clinical sciences and the principles of human disease prevention which underpin dental skills, the safe use of ionising radiation together with the properties and usage of biomaterials in dentistry.
BDS412
Clinical Dental Practice 1 (BDS)
40 credits
This module provides BDS students with an introduction to clinical dentistry and the management of medical emergencies. It provides a gateway check point to ensure BDS students are ready to commence providing safe dental care for patients.
BDS414
Inter-Professional Engagement 1 (BDS)
20 credits
The module introduces students to community health & social care. Students will undertake a community engagement visit and work closely with a target organisation to understand the impacts of demographic variation and lifestyle issues on local people. The project will enable students to develop an understanding of the wider determinants of health, introduce core academic skills and develop societal and community awareness.
HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1
BDS415
Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 1 (BDS)
20 credits
This module introduces students to reflective adult learning and assists with the development of professional behaviour and attitudes appropriate to dentistry. Every term the student will meet their Academic Tutor and reflect and review on their performance in all aspects of professionalism within the BDS programmes by presentation of written critical reflections and discussion.
Year 2

Core modules
BDS521
Integrated Dental Science 2
40 credits
This module enables students to further develop their depth of knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles underpinning dental practice and includes oral disease, pharmacology and dental materials. The module continues to support the application of basic biomedical, clinical sciences and disease prevention principles which underpin dental skills and the effective and safe care of patients in the dental environment.
BDS522
Clinical Dental Practice 2
40 credits
This module continues the students' introduction to the essential range of basic dental skills and the management of medical emergencies needed for the safe practice of primary dental care.
BDS525
Inter-Professional Engagement 2
20 credits
In year two of the programme, students are able to build on their learning from the year one inter-professional engagement project by focusing on a single community-based organisation within Devon and Cornwall. Students in small groups visit organisations to develop an understanding of how these organisations support particular community groups and/or individuals to adopt positive healthy lifestyles and how they help their clients/service users to overcome the social and organisational barriers that prevent them from achieving this.
HIPL500
Interprofessional Learning 2
BDS526
Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 2
20 credits
This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning skills and self-awareness and assists with the development of professional behaviour and attitudes appropriate to dentistry. Every term the student will meet their Academic Tutor and reflect and review on their performance in all aspects of professionalism within the BDS programme.
Year 3
Selected students may intercalate, between Year 3 and Year 4, and undertake a one year MSc in our research laboratories in Plymouth.

Core modules
BDS631
Applied Dental Knowledge 1
20 credits
This module enables students to achieve the level of knowledge of clinical and communication skills, professionalism and management and leadership skills required of a graduate entering primary care as a Dental Foundation dentist. Topic areas include basic sciences as applied to dentistry, and knowledge of the comprehensive delivery of clinical dentistry including: restorative dentistry for children and adults; dental radiology; oral surgery; pharmacology and therapeutics; oral medicine; oral pathology; medicine and surgery applied to dentistry; preventive dentistry; dental public health; evidence-based dentistry; health & safety; communication skills; professionalism; law & ethics; and management & leadership.
BDS632
Clinical Dental Practice 3
60 credits
This module provides students provides students with the ability to undertake more complex dental care for patients of all ages, the development of further skills in the simulated environment and management of medical emergencies.
BDS634
Inter-Professional Engagement 3
20 credits
Students will liaise in small groups with groups of students from other professions. Students will share working practices and work collaboratively to learn about the scope of practice of the other professional groups and provide curriculum opportunities appropriate to the needs and demands of that group in order to improve future IPE working and patient care.
HIPL600
Interprofessional Learning 3
BDS635
Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 3
20 credits
This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning skills, self-awareness, evidence based practice skills and assists with the development of professional behaviour and attitudes appropriate to dentistry. Every term the student will meet their Academic Tutor and reflect and review on their performance in all aspects of professionalism within the BDS programme.
Year 4

Core modules
BDS741
Applied Dental Knowledge 2
20 credits
This module enables students to achieve the level of knowledge of clinical and communication skills, professionalism and management and leadership skills required of a graduate entering primary care as a Dental Foundation dentist. Topic areas include basic sciences as applied to dentistry, and knowledge of the comprehensive delivery of clinical dentistry including: restorative dentistry for children and adults; dental radiology; oral surgery; pharmacology and therapeutics; oral medicine; oral pathology; medicine and surgery applied to dentistry; preventive dentistry; dental public health; evidence-based dentistry; health & safety; communication skills; professionalism; law & ethics; and management & leadership.
BDS742
Clinical Dental Practice 4
60 credits
This module enables the student to consolidate the practice of an increasing wide range of primary care dental procedures and start to work more independently, assessing situations and making safe and appropriate decisions in managing patient care.
BDS744
Inter-Professional Engagement 4: Quality Improvement
20 credits
This module develops core academic skills, introduced earlier in the programme such as engaging critically with evidence, writing scientifically, and using appropriate sources of information. These skills are applied through a quality improvement project, in which students review the quality of clinical practice through the use of a clinical audit.
BDS745
Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 4
20 credits
This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning skills and self-awareness and assists with the development of critical skills, professional behaviour and attitudes appropriate to dentistry. Every term the student will meet their Academic Tutor and reflect and review on their performance in all aspects of professionalism within the BDS programme.
Final year

Core modules
BDS751
Applied Dental Knowledge 3
20 credits
This module enables students to achieve the level of knowledge of clinical and communication skills, professionalism and management and leadership skills required of a graduate entering primary care as a Dental Foundation dentist. Topic areas include basic sciences as applied to dentistry, and knowledge of the comprehensive delivery of clinical dentistry including: restorative dentistry for children and adults; dental radiology; oral surgery; pharmacology and therapeutics; oral medicine; oral pathology; medicine and surgery applied to dentistry; preventive dentistry; dental public health; evidence-based dentistry; health & safety; communication skills; professionalism; law & ethics; and management & leadership.
BDS752
Clinical Dental Practice 5
70 credits
This module comprises four components: Specialist Visit Reports; OSCE -style stations with unseen cases (s); Exit Case Presentations; achievement of minimum standards in clinical proficiency and capability assessments. Students visit a variety of specialist oral care facilities and further develop skills in a wide range of procedures, including patient assessment, treatment planning and delivery. Communication and professionalism are further developed within the clinical environment.
BDS755
Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 5
30 credits
Alternative pathways
My time as a Biomedical Science student gave me a great opportunity to explore Plymouth and solidified my decision to study dentistry at the Peninsula Dental School.

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Accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC)
Approved by the General Dental Council for registration as a dentist on completion of the programme.
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:
Experience
Starting patient care in the first year really helped me build confidence and connect the theory to real cases. It’s been so rewarding to see my skills grow, from learning simple fillings to doing a root canal treatment on a patient.
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Community engagement



Award-winning contribution to dental training and community care
The pioneering work of the Peninsula Dental School and the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise won the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category at the awards ceremony. It is recognition of the efforts of more than 100 staff and 400 students working and studying with the University, and in communities across Devon and Cornwall.

Each year we have an inter-professional engagement module which allows us to use our skills to develop the local community. We visited the Nomony Children’s Centre and it made me realise that regardless of age there is always a way you can get someone to understand the importance of their oral health.
Explore our facilities

Teaching and learning

Learn from experienced dental professionals

Dr Amanda Addy
Clinical Lecturer in Dental Education and Co-Lead Year 1

Dr Araz Ahmed
NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Oral Surgery

Dr Ness Avery
Clinical Lecturer in Dental Education
Join Peninsula Dental Society 'DentSoc'

Life in Plymouth
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Current student



Careers
The clinics taught us to see patients holistically – it's never just a case of treating a tooth then going home; there's so much else that you're taught and encouraged to explore, and it really kickstarted my career path.
Director of Eilertsen Dental Care

Dentistry offers a huge variety of career pathways and I have taken full advantage of this to create an interesting and varied career that suits me.
Lecturer and Dental Associate

Fees and funding
Tuition fees
£9,535 per year
N/A per credits
Tuition fee price changes
£40,700 per year
Tuition fee price changes
Additional costs
Fund your studies
Supporting students with the cost of living

Apply
Entry requirements
- GCSE, A levels and UCAT
- GAMSAT
- A levels and stage 1 of either Biomedical Science or Human Biosciences with the University of Plymouth. Degree study at other institutions is not considered.
- A degree course through the University of Plymouth School of Biomedical Sciences. Degree study at other institutions is not considered.
GCSE
A Level
- Grade A in Biology
- Grade A in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
- Your third GCE A level can be from any subject area and does not need to be science based. When shortlisting for interview we do not give preference to those who complete three Science A Levels. General Studies is not accepted
Widening access
- Grade A in Biology
- Grade A in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
- Your third A level can be from any subject area and does not need to be science based. When shortlisting for interview we do not give preference to those who complete three science A Levels. General Studies is not accepted
- UCAT and GCSE requirements remain the same for all applicants
- POLAR4
- Indices of Mass Deprivation
- School type
- School performance
- UCAT
- EMA or 16–19 bursary
- Free school meals
- In care/care leaver/kinship care
- Refugee/Asylum seeker
- Peninsula Pathways
A Level alternative qualifications
- Higher Level 6 in Biology
- Higher Level 6 in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
- Grade A in Biology
- Grade A in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
UCAT
- If you are still in education, an official letter from your school, college, University that states that on the basis of a diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner, educational psychologist or specialist teacher the candidate is currently entitled to additional time in public examinations (or have had additional time in public examinations within the last 2 years);
- If you are no longer in education, a post-16 year’s diagnosis or report from a qualified medical practitioner or educational psychologist that explicitly recommends additional time in public examinations.
Re-sit applicants
- If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of ABB must be achieved on first sitting of A Level
- Where ABB is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved
- A Level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised
- A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
Section 2: 54
Section 3: 52
Overall: 56
Section 2: 56
Section 3: 49
Overall: 54
Section 2: 57
Section 3: 49
Overall: 56
Section 2: 54
Section 3: 50
Overall: 52
Section 2: 50
Section 3: 51
Overall: 55
Section 2: 54
Section 3: 49
Overall: 52
Section 1: 46
Section 2: 45
Section 3: 56
Overall: 53
Internal transfer options
- Applicants must achieve AAB at A Level to include A in Biology and A in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
- International Baccalaureate: 35 points overall with Higher Level 6 in Biology and Higher Level 6 in another science (equivalent to AAB at A Level)
- A minimum of 70% average across all Year 1 degree modules
- An interview process is required
- Applicants must have achieved or be predicted to achieve a first (70%) or higher in a University of Plymouth School of Biomedical Science programme
Selection and admissions process
Ready to apply?
A206
P60
5 years
(with placements)
Full-time
Plymouth, Exeter and Truro
Other routes into this course
The following courses are available as routes into this programme.

An alternative dentistry route for students impacted by adversity, using Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) to build academic, personal, and professional skills and ease the transition into university life.
Entry requirements
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A206
P60
5 years
(with placements)
Full-time
Plymouth, Exeter and Truro