BDS Dental Surgery

Advice from graduate Shamir Chandarana:

"I would certainly advise anybody who is interested in dentistry to carry out as much work experience as possible in busy NHS practices and in quieter private practices, and also to undertake hospital placements to get a real feel for the profession. It was only once I had done this that I knew for certain that this was the career I wanted to do.

Moreover, Plymouth Dental School offered a great taster day to anyone considering dentistry as a career: it was a day packed full of information about the course, about Plymouth, and most importantly featured a hands-on session in the Simulated Dental Learning Environment (SDLE) which gave a great insight into the practical side of dentistry."

Read more from Shamir in his case study.

• Programme mapped against the General Dental Council’s guidance ‘Preparing for Practice’.
• Treat patients through partnership with the NHS Primary Care Trust in Devon and Cornwall.
• Engage directly with participants and service users in a unique and meaningful way with the Community Engagement Team.
• Benefit from the state of the art facilities provided by established Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), a Community Interest Company (CIC).
• Become familiar with a variety of clinical situations.
  
• Prepare for a future career path through solving clinical problems.
• Become competent at diagnosing disease and planning preventive care.
  
• Choose your own areas of interest to study further.
  
• Early clinical contact with a strong patient focus.
  
• Gain the core dental knowledge and communication skills you need to practise as a competent and caring dentist.
• Strong partnerships within the University.
• Students will spend Years 1, 2 and 5 in Plymouth and Year 4 in Truro. Students in Year 3 travel 2 days a week, via transport organised and paid for by the School, to the Dental Education Facility in Exeter.   
  

• Year 1

• Your outstanding clinical education commences at the start of Year 1, working in small, integrated study groups you will learn the core scientific foundations of dentistry in a clinical context, explore the scientific basis of normal structure, function and behaviour, with a focus on dental health, prevention of dental disease and the underlying principles of personal and professional development. You will attend the Simulated Dental Learning Environment (SDLE) from your first week developing essential clinical skills and in Term 2 you will experience contact with patients in the clinics where you will be able to develop your communication skills under the close supervision of dental practitioners, bringing to life the skills gained in SDLE. Near the end of the year you have your first experience in social engagement.
  

  Core modules

  • DEN411 Integrated Dental Science 1

    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.

  • DEN412 Clinical Dental Practice 1

    This module provides an introduction to clinical dentistry and the management of medical emergencies and by the end of the module, at the mid-point of the year, students will be ready to commence providing dental care for patients. All learning and assessment in the module take place in the simulated setting to enable students to practice clinical skills.

  • DEN413 Clinical Dental Practice 2

    This module continues the students' introduction to the essential range of basic skills needed for the safe practice of primary dental care and provides the clinical basis for the student's first experiences caring for patients. From the beginning of this module, each time a student is successful at a capability assessment within the simulated environment they may start to provide that procedure for patients in the clinic.

  • DEN414 Inter-Professional Engagement 1

    This module introduces the student to community health and social care. Students will undertake a community engagement visit and work closely with a target organisation to understand the impacts of demography and lifestyle issues on local people. The project will enable students to develop an understanding of the wider determinants of health such as environment; employment and education which influence health behaviours and health outcomes, and which directly impact on oral health, use of dental services and quality of life. This project is one of the building blocks for students at Peninsula Dental School introducing core academic skills in exploring, searching and selecting evidence-based information as well as developing societal and community awareness so students understand their future role in the healthcare system and wider society.

  • DEN415 Professional Development 1

    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 programme by presentation of a reflective questionnaire and discussion.

• Year 2
• In your second year, you build on your foundations with common dental problems, as well as disease mechanisms considered in much greater depth. Learning continues in SDLE as you develop skills for advanced procedures whilst continuing to care for patients in the clinics in Plymouth two days per week. You gain insight into the importance of team working in dentistry as you integrate with other members of the team in the clinical environment, and plan and deliver a social engagement project intervention.

  Core modules

  • DEN521 Integrated Dental Science 2

    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.

  • DEN522 Clinical Dental Practice 3

    Continuing clinical experience caring for patients and the development of further skills in the simulated environment. Following each patient visit students will reflect on their clinical and professional performance and receive feedback. Further support is provided for individual students who have difficulty with any particular procedure. Assessments regarding tooth coloured restorations, tooth extraction and minor oral soft tissue surgery will be taken.

  • DEN523 Clinical Dental Practice 4

    This module enables students to acquire the clinical, administrative and communication skills relevant to the safe and effective practice of an increasing range of treatments within primary care dentistry for a student in preparation for Year 3.

  • DEN524 Inter-Professional Engagement 2

    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.

  • DEN525 Professional Development 2

    This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning 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 3
• In your third year there is greater self-directed learning as you prepare project assignments, including an engagement project with students from another healthcare profession, and clinical cases. Based in Plymouth with transport provided to our Exeter clinic two days per week you build upon existing skills and consolidate advanced procedures provided for patients. One of the themes for years three and four is to consolidate the learning of medically-related issues for the safe practice of dentistry. You will be given an opportunity to learn about dentally relevant medical issues in patient-based demonstrations.
  
  
  Intercalated Master of Science (MSc)
  Selected students may intercalate, between Year 3 and Year 4, and undertake a one year MSc in our research laboratories in Plymouth.
  

  Core modules

  • DEN631 Applied Dental Knowledge 1

    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, 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, professionalism, law and ethics.

  • DEN632 Critical Appraisal 1

    Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) requires that decisions about health care are based on the best available, current, valid and relevant evidence. These decisions should be made by those receiving care, informed by the tacit and explicit knowledge of those providing care, within the context of available resources. All health care professionals need to understand the principles of EBP, recognise it in action, implement evidence-based policies, and have a critical attitude to their own practice and to evidence. Without these skills professionals will find it difficult to provide 'best practice'.

  • DEN633 Clinical Dental Practice 5

    This module provides students with the ability to undertake more complex dental care for patients of all ages and the development of further skills in the simulated environment.

  • DEN634 Clinical Dental Practice 6

    This module provides students with continuing clinical experience treating patients with more complex needs.

  • DEN635 Inter-Professional Engagement 3

    In the Year 3 module students will be placed in EBL groups and will liaise with a groups of allied healthcare professional (AHP) students to share working practices and learn about the scope of practice of target AHP groups. Students will have an opportunity to assess the training in dental and oral health care that is provided to their designated healthcare colleagues and recommend curriculum opportunities appropriate to the needs and demands of the AHPs in order to improve future IPE working and patient care. Students will work to explore the relationships between general health and oral health and understand the impact poor oral health may have on healthcare practice. Working as a team in a small group, students will deliver an appropriate project to the host organisation.

  • DEN636 Professional Development 3

    This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning 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
• In your fourth year you will live in Truro for the whole academic year. Clinical activity will expand to three days per week and you start to prepare clinical cases for Finals. Clinical dentistry will now embrace all of the aspects of dental care provision expected of a qualified dentist, will give you experience in advanced restorative techniques and strengthen your competence in treatment planning. You'll gain first-hand experience of the role and services provided by specialists in primary and secondary care, by spending time in specialist clinics such as restorative dentistry, oral surgery, oral diseases and orthodontics.

  Core modules

  • DEN641 Applied Dental Knowledge 2

    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, 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, professionalism, law and ethics.

  • DEN642 Clinical Dental Practice 7

    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.

  • DEN643 Inter-Professional Engagement 4

    Clinical audit is a key component of clinical practice and is a way of continuously improving the quality of clinical care. The process of audit is an important requirement in developing as a reflective practitioner and key to maintaining professional standards and revalidation. During the project students will learn about the theory of audit, understand why it is important, examine clinical standards and guidelines and look at various ways of conducting clinical audit against agreed standards of care.

  • DEN644 Professional Development 4

    This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning 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.

• Final year
• The emphasis in your final year is on the implementation and consolidation of the skills and abilities you have learned in previous years and is the final preparation for dental practice. You will become more confident with clinical situations, healthcare teams and the principles of professionalism; and discover advances in dentistry being developed for future practice.

  Core modules

  • DEN651 Applied Dental Knowledge 3

    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, 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, professionalism, law and ethics.

  • DEN652 Clinical Dental Practice 8

    This module enables the student to consolidate the practice of an increasing wide range of primary care dental procedures in addition to further development of professionalism required for the safe practice of oral clinical care as an independent practitioner.

  • DEN653 Clinical Dental Practice 9

    This module enables the student to consolidate the practice of an increasing wide range of dental procedures in addition to further development of professionalism required for the safe practice of oral clinical care as an independent practitioner.

  • DEN654 Inter-Professional Engagement 5

    Students visit a variety of specialist oral care facilities which provide them with a wide range of clinical experience in line with the GDC learning outcomes for undergraduate dental education. These observation visits enable students to gain insight into the patient journey through the specialist care services.

  • DEN655 Professional Development 5

    This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning 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.

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:

BDS Dental Surgery Programme Specification 4602

UCAS tariff

A*AA - AAB

International student admissions

If you're an international applicant you need to meet the equivalent admissions criteria described for home students, including the UCAT. Applicants applying with overseas qualifications should contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk prior to submitting an application through UCAS. Please note that from 2021 entry applicants from the EU will be considered international students for fee paying purposes and may be required to obtain a visa to allow study in the UK.

In addition, international applicants need to be fully proficient in the English language. If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent of a GCSE grade A/8 in English Language providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by achieving one of the following qualifications:

• IELTS band 7.5 or above with at least 7.0 in each of the Speaking and Listening sections (taken within 12 months of entry).
• lGCSE or GCSE English Language (as a first language) grade A. A supplementary statement confirming inclusion of the Speaking and Listening components will be required for IGCSE 0500.
• IB score of 6 at the ordinary level in English Language (as a first language).

We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you're a long way from home. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive and we have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International Student Advice (ISA) also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.

Student visas

If you have an offer of a place at the Faculty of Health you will need to apply for a Student visa (formerly Tier 4 General Student category) unless you have an alternate visa which allows study or a suitable UK passport. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.

All applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All applications for the BMBS and BDS courses must reach UCAS between 1 September and 15 October annually. Applicants should apply to no more than four of the same clinical degree courses. Applicants may wish to consider BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene, BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography, or one of our School of Biomedical Sciences courses as their fifth choice.

The UCAS code for the Faculty of Health is P60 PLYM.