BDS Dental Surgery

BDS

Dental Surgery

Gain first-rate dental training and community care skills from year one, with early patient experience, communication practice and hands-on learning, to build expertise and transform lives as a dentist.

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Ranked #1 best UK university for dentistry

Our student experience, feedback and career outcomes make �鶹��ý number 1 in the UK in the of the best universities for dentistry in 2025.

Early clinical experience

From the first year, you'll learn in a practical learning environments with patients, building your confidence and experience with patients to enhance your communication skills and clinical competence.

Community engagement

At �鶹��ý, you can engage directly with the public as part of our Dental Outreach Team, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on local communities while honing your skills.

About

Combining first-rate dental training with outstanding community dental care, this course will prepare you for a hugely rewarding career as a competent and caring dentist. From year one you'll work with patients and the community, gaining early clinical experience and enhancing your communication skills. In our hands-on, practical and patient-centred environment you'll develop the highest level of core dental skills and knowledge and leave ready to make a difference to people's lives.

This course is for you if...

you're passionate about providing patient-centred dental care and aspire to become a competent and caring dentist ready to make a difference

you seek early clinical exposure to develop practical skills

you value learning in state-of-the-art facilities alongside experienced professionals

you're eager to engage with diverse communities to enhance oral health

Details

Year 1

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

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

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 the SDLE as you develop skills for advanced procedures while continuing to care for patients in the clinics in �鶹��ý 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.

Dental Students in Phantom Head room in Portland Square.

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

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 �鶹��ý 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 3 and 4 is to consolidate the learning of medically-related issues for the safe practice of dentistry. You are 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 �鶹��ý.

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

In your fourth year you live in Truro for the whole academic year. Clinical activity expands to three days per week and you start to prepare clinical cases for finals. Clinical dentistry now embraces all of the aspects of dental care provision expected of a qualified dentist, giving you experience in advanced restorative techniques and strengthening your competence in treatment planning. You 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

BDS741
Applied Dental Knowledge 2 20 credits

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

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 become more confident with clinical situations, healthcare teams and the principles of professionalism, and discover advances in dentistry being developed for future practice.

Year 1 Dental students in the Life Sciences on Level 3 Portland Square.

Core modules

BDS751
Applied Dental Knowledge 3 20 credits

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

We pride ourselves on our close relationship with NHS partners, with early clinical contact for all our students.

Our range of dental and dental therapy courses have been designed with your career and the future needs of the NHS in mind.

Discover our full range of dentistry courses

My time as a Biomedical Science student gave me a great opportunity to explore �鶹��ý and solidified my decision to study dentistry at the Peninsula Dental School.

Sneha, a third-year Dental Surgery student, took an unconventional route to study dentistry at the University's Peninsula Dental School.

Read about Sneha's journey into dentistry ��

Approved by the General Dental Council for registration as a dentist on completion of the programme.

^{The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.}

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 Programme Specification 2024-25 7241

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.

Mohammed, Year 4 student ��

Community engagement

Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) is a Community Interest Company (CIC). As such, everything it does is guided by the need to fulfil its ‘community interest statement’ which sets out its mission and reason for existence as a company.

Dental Outreach Team

Engaging directly with participants and service users in a unique and meaningful way. The team works alongside organisations and projects to support positive lifestyle choices; promoting dental health and well being.

Dental Outreach Team - group of dental students in a primary school classroom smiling

Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC - students giving a talk

Award-winning contribution to dental training and community care

We received recognition at the Times Higher Education Awards 2023 for our continued work to provide dental care and training.

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.

Yewande made the most of her time as a dental student by taking on multiple entrepreneurial and humanitarian projects.

Brightening smiles from �鶹��ý to Ghana and beyond .
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Explore our facilities

From progressive clinical spaces to Simulated Dental Learning Environments, you'll benefit from exceptional dental education facilities across our locations in �鶹��ý, Exeter and Truro.

Whether you're treating patients through our award-winning or working in the wider NHS in Devon and Cornwall, you will encounter people with a variety of oral diseases and systemic conditions. This interaction with patients will develop your ability to think and perform as an expert, alongside your understanding of the impact and importance of working with a team of professionals.

Discover our dental education facilities

Teaching and learning

Curriculum overview

We draw on the strengths of the University and NHS partners to deliver an exciting and innovative dental degree that is carefully structured to ensure you possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for entry into your first clinical job.

Where will I be based?

We have exceptional facilities across five locations: Portland Square on the main campus, Devonport and Derriford in �鶹��ý, and in Exeter and Truro.

Learn from experienced dental professionals

We pride ourselves on our cutting-edge, research informed curriculum which ensures that you are equipped with the latest evidence, as well as the research skills to support patients’ recovery.

Our staff are experienced dental professionals engaged in active research, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience into the classroom, which you will apply in clinical practice.