Becoming a dentist in the UK

How to become a dentist overview

Learn how to become a dentist in the UK. This section covers dental degrees, dental schools, training routes and answers to common student questions.

Dental degree

Dentistry is one of the most popular degrees in the UK and there is a lot of competition for university places. To qualify as a dentist, you need to complete a dental course which usually takes five years and leads to a bachelor’s degree (BDS or BChD).

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Dental schools

There are sixteen dental schools in the UK of which two are graduate entry, plus two postgraduate entry dental institutes.

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Student lectures

We visit all UK dental schools to give lectures to fourth year students and final year students. The format of the lectures (online or face-to-face) is subject to dental school policies. Please contact the final year administrator or BDA reps at your dental school for more information.

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Dental student FAQs

We understand that dental school can be overwhelming, and that valuable information can get lost in a sea of new knowledge.

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Join the BDA

Membership for students

Advance your dental career with BDA student membership, offering you access to timely information, advice and resources as you advance towards your career in dentistry.

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Overseas-qualified dentist? Working towards GDC registration?

Navigating GDC registration can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Affiliate membership gives you the guidance, resources and support to make the process smoother and clearer.

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