Enter OTP
Sheffield’s five‑year BDS Dental Surgery course is GDC‑accredited and designed to give you early clinical exposure, supported by robust scientific teaching and evidence-based practice. You’ll learn across nine integrated themes—from anatomy to oral disease—using VR simulations, outreach clinics, and collaborative learning alongside dental hygiene and therapy students to prepare you for real-world dental care.
Curriculum Structure (Year-by-Year)
Year 1
Focuses on anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and oral health, with early visits to dental clinics and VR simulation.
Year 2
Covers restorative skills through simulation and clinical skills environments; students begin supervised treatment.
Year 3
Develops holistic clinical care: students identify systemic disease signs, perform manual clinical tasks, and complete an elective placement.
Year 4
Focuses on complex treatments and interdisciplinary rotations; includes primary-care outreach clinics.
Year 5
Final year involves managing comprehensive patient cases across school and outreach settings, consolidating diagnostics, restorative, surgical, and pediatric care.
Accreditation
The programme is fully accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC) and adheres to their professional standards.
Ranking & Reputation
Sheffield Dental School consistently ranks among the top 5 in the UK for dentistry, with the University placed within the global top 100 for clinical and health subjects.
Campus & Facilities
Based at the School of Clinical Dentistry, adjacent to the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, the school features VR simulation suites, phantom-head labs, and modern clinical skills environments.
Research & Projects
Students undertake an elective placement (possibly abroad) involving clinical or research work, supported by advanced labs and an evidence-driven curriculum.
Clinical Placements
Clinical learning begins in Year 1 (observation) with progressive responsibility through Years 2–5, including primary-care outreach placements in Sheffield.
Student Organisations
The Sheffield University Dental Students’ Society (SUDDS) organizes academic support, sports, and social events. Dental students also participate in a lively SU comprising hundreds of societies.
Practical Experience
In Years 4–5, you manage real patient cases and demonstrate clinical readiness through OSCEs, competency checks, and teamwork in integrated clinical practice.
Career Services & Employability
Graduates nearly always enter Dental Foundation Training, with ~99% securing jobs within six months, and go on to careers in general practice, hospital dentistry, or specialist training.
Median Salary
Although the university doesn’t publish an official figure, the typical graduate starting salary is around £31,000, consistent with national dentist averages.
Future Progression
Most graduates apply for a one-year Dental Foundation (DF) training programme. This provides you with a supportive environment where you can continue to develop your skills and experience to the point where you become an independent practitioner.
Once you complete the DF year, you’ll be able to work in an NHS practice. Most of our eligible graduates go on to complete Dental Foundation Training which enables them to work in the NHS.
After their DF year, most graduates find work in general dental practices, in the community dental service or sometimes in the armed forces.
Some choose to undertake further specialist training to enable them to become speciality dentists, hospital or academic consultants or to become researchers.
A number of our graduates choose to return to the School of Clinical Dentistry later in their careers to teach.
AAA including Chemistry and Biology + pass in the practical element of any science A Levels takenIBDP 36, with 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and Biology6 GCSEs at grade 7/A including English, Maths and ScienceAll applicants must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). The test is used in conjunction with our existing selection procedure to identify candidates with potential for success at undergraduate levelIELTS grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each componentApplicants that are successful in their initial shortlisting process will be invited to an interviewOccupational Health clearance and compliance with NHS clinical requirementsDisclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced checkGeneral Dentist / Dental PractitionerAssociate Dentist (NHS or Private Practice)Dental Officer (Hospital/Community Clinics)Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery AssistantOrthodontic Therapist (with training)Endodontist (after specialization)Periodontist (after specialization)Prosthodontist (after specialization)Paediatric Dentist (after specialization)Oral Surgeon (with DCT and training)Implantologist (with certification)Cosmetic/Aesthetic Dentist
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The University of Sheffield
