ObjectivesThe Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme prepares students for careers in the modern world of dental practice by combining clinical studies with basic and advanced dental sciences. Once students have mastered basic competencies in the University's skills laboratories, they rapidly move on to treating patients in both the Dental Hospital and local outreach clinics. BDS Dentistry is taught in a top-ranked institution proud of its facilities, research reputation, student support, excellent innovative programme and student-centred curriculum. The programme aims to develop professional and ethical dentists who can: -Take a patient-centred approach to clinical care within the dental team -Apply the skills, knowledge, behaviours and abilities to independently practise safely and efficiently -Be a reflective practitioner, committed to lifelong learning
Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements English language: Applicants must be proficient in the use of the English Language. The minimum acceptable level of proficiency is: GCSE English Language grade B or above Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English grade B or above International English language Testing (IELTS) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in any one component. A level: Grades AAB. This must include Chemistry and Biology at grade A and another A-Level at grade B or above plus one further AS-level at grade B or above. If only one of Biology and Chemistry is studied to A-level the other must be studied to AS-level and one other science, from Physics, Mathematics or Computer Science, must be studied to A-level. General Studies is excluded. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: Five GCSEs at a minimum of Grade A (including either Integrated Double Award Science or Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and Grade B or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics are normally required. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 34 points overall. 7,6,6 in the Higher Level subjects, which must include Biology and Chemistry with 7 and 6. 5,5,5 in the Standard Level subjects. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleBDs Dentistry
Course descriptionSpecial features
-Enquiry-based learning (including problem-based learning);outreach community clinics; emphasis on research throughout the programme; early clinical experience
-Opportunities for interdisciplinary learning between students of dentistry and student complementary dental professionals e.g. student dental hygienist/therapists
-Opportunity to undertake an intercalated BSc
Additional course information
BDS with Foundation Year
Students who do not have the required science qualifications for entry into year 1, but have either achieved good A2 level grades in other subjects, or can demonstrate equivalent academic competence or potential may apply for the BDS with Foundation Year.
BDS with Foundation Year
Intercalated BSc
Outstanding students can take an extra year to study for an intercalated BSc (Hons) degree. This is partly taught and partly research-based. The choice of subjects is varied and ranges from psychology to the history of medicine.
Bachelor of Dental Science
Students with acceptable academic performance who do not wish to continue with a career in dentistry may exit BDS Dentistry after Year 3 with a BMedSci (Dent) degree, providing they have successfully completed the assessments up to that point.
Module details
The Manchester Dental Programme has been designed by the students and staff of the School of Dentistry to provide an integrated, enquiry-based five-year programme building on and incorporating the School's existing high-quality learning/teaching, expertise in problem-based learning (PBL) and well-established outreach courses.
A key feature of the programme is integration between theory and practice and early learning and teaching in the clinical context is central to this. Clinical subjects are taught alongside the basic dental science subjects. This allows links to be made between the relationship of disease processes to body structure and function, and the behavioural sciences to patient treatment. From the first year of the programme students study and practise aspects of clinical dentistry.The programme is designed around five themes:
-Human Health and Disease
-The Mouth in Health and Disease
-Clinical Competence:
-Diagnostic Skills
-Manual Skills and Dexterity
-Problem Solving
-Patient Management
-Scientific Understanding and Thought
Team working, Communication Skills, ICT, reflective practice
Dedicated teams have worked to develop these domains, and the years shown below, to ensure that students' knowledge and skills develop over the five years of the programme.
Course content for year 1
Basic building blocks
-Orofacial Biology 1
-Healthy Living 1 (a healthy body)
-Team Working, Professionalism and Patient Management 1
-Patient Assessment 1
Course content for year 2
Building your knowledge skills and attitudes
-Orofacial Biology 2
-Healthy Living 2 (a healthy mouth)
-Team Working, Professionalism and Patient Management 2
-Patient Assessment 2
-Disease Management 2
Course content for year 3
Integrating knowledge skills and attitudes
-Orofacial Biology 3
-Healthy Living 3 (a healthy mind)
-Team Working, Professionalism and Patient Management 3
-Patient Assessment 3
-Disease Management 3
Course content for year 4
Achieving clinical competence
Course content for year 5
Moving to professional competence
-Team Working, Professionalism and Patient Management 5
-Preparation for Independent Practice
-The Complex Patient
-Accrediting organisations
The Degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery is accredited as a qualification -registerable with the General Dental Council.
Career opportunities BDS Dentistry graduates have opportunities to work in general practice, the community dental service, hospital practice, university teaching and research, various individual organisations and the armed forces.
Further specialisation and training are frequently required. Graduates wishing to work in general practice are required to undertake a year of mandatory vocational dental practice working under the supervision of an experienced dentist in a recognised practice.Travelling fellowships and government posts may offer opportunities overseas. The qualification is recognised throughout the European Union and in many other countries.