Enhanced Support Dentistry Programme BDS

King's College London, University of London

The Enhanced Support Dentistry Programme is an opportunity for talented students from non-selective state schools in Greater London to pursue a career in dentistry. Students receive additional academic support whilst following the standard five-year Dentistry BDS course. This combines the very latest thinking in dental education with early clinical experience. You will be taught by internationally- renowned staff and exposed to a rich breadth of skills and knowledge in a diverse clinical environment.

Key benefits

• Evidence-based and research-led degree course with a high level of clinical experience in all areas.
• Ranked 1st in the world for Dentistry (QS World University Rankings 2020).
• State-of-the-art clinical, simulation and technical facilities.
• Largest dental school in the UK graduating over 150 dentists a year.
• Partnership with the world-famous hospitals: Guy's, King's College and St Thomas'.
• Taught alongside Dental Therapy & Hygiene students.
• Opportunity to intercalate a BSc degree

Course Aims

• The integrated nature of our course means that basic science teaching will relate to clinical practice and clinical teaching will be underpinned by scientific understanding. Our course emphasises whole patient care, which requires consideration of the patients’ total dental and medical needs, rather than just the provision of individual items of treatment.
• Our curriculum enables students to assist in the dental care of patients from year one and assume an appropriate level of responsibility for patient care at an early stage. Throughout your degree, the balance of teaching will shift from theoretical and academic science to practical and clinical experience. The final three years of the course are designed to give students extensive clinical exposure with structured placements for practice in the community, as part of a dental team, providing care in diverse settings.

Employability

A variety of career pathways are open to new dental graduates. The career path for many graduates is general practice, with others aiming to be consultants in the hospital dental service, senior clinical academics in a teaching hospital, or specialist practitioners. In every case, newly-qualified graduates will enter practice by way of Dental Foundation Training. Foundation Dentists (FDs) work in a Training Practice under supervision and have a day release course of lectures and demonstrations building on the undergraduate degree and giving instruction in all aspects of practice management. After this year, successful FDs can begin work as an associate in a practice.