Dentistry is without doubt one of the most competitive university courses in the world. In the UK, there are 16 dental schools with approximately 11 applicants competing for a singles eat. Over the years, the requirements for entry have also become strict so that the process can act as a sieve, leaving behind only the most suitable candidates.

It is essential to remember that just like any other journey in life, the road to dental school also has its ups and downs, so if ever you’re having a bad day, remember all the good days too!

Despite all this, it isn’t all gloom and doom, dentists are after all humans just like you and I,so with a bit of hard work and dedication the chances of success are high!My five top tips for achieving a place at dental school will help you get a head start and make you feel more in control.

1. Plan ahead! 

The road to dental schools starts much earlier than most would think. Although some of us may take GCSEs with a pinch of salt, many dental schools require at least an A in Maths, English and science. This may mean re-sitting a GSCE, whilst you juggle your A-levels. Don’t let that put you off.  

Research is key! Being organised is imperative! Having a dedicated notebook to note down entry requirements of all the universities you’re interested in can help you form a realistic image of your options and keep track of what you need to do and when.  

2. Work experience: The more the better! 

It’s already an established fact that a minimum of two weeks of work experience at a general dental practice is a prerequisite but what no one tells us is how difficult it can be to find “the one”! Persevere! Continue to contact local dental practices, show them how eager you are. In my personal experience, telephone contact seemed to be more effective than emails, but this might vary from practice to practice.  

Furthermore, a wide range of experience will always work in your benefit as you can gain a lot more experience working with different dental professionals in various dental settings. It shows that you understand dentistry is a rewarding but challenging career and you’re up for the challenge. 

Exposure to other healthcare environments, for example a hospital, pharmacy or your local opticians is further evidence that your decision of pursuing dentistry isn’t a turbulent or impulsive decision. It uncovers your dedication to 5 long years of dental school and a life-long commitment to dentistry! 

3. Personal statement: Stand out! 

For a high demand course like dentistry, a personal statement could be the deciding factor on whether or not you get an interview. This is your chance to convince the reader that out of 800 applicants, YOU deserve to be interviewed. Avoid cliché statement like “I’ve wanted to do dentistry ever since I was a child” or “it’s my dream job”. Formulate something that will make you stand out amongst all the other candidates but remember to always use evidence to support your claims. Aim for two thirds relating to academics and dentistry and the rest about you interests and extracurricular activities.  It is vital to portray yourself as a well-balanced individual.  

Some points to ponder upon: 

• Why do you want to choose dentistry over other courses like medicine? 
• Do you know what qualities and attributes are required for dentistry? 
• Evidence supporting your attributes E.g. A part time job may have taught you how to be organised and manage your time effectively 
• Have you achieved anything outside academia and how has it developed your skills? E.g. Sports, hobbies and interests.   

4. UKCAT: Practise, practise and practise!  

The University Clinical Aptitude Test, previously known as the UKCAT is a computer-based test taken at Pearson Vue Centres. It tests a range of mental abilities identified as important for dental professionals. Although not all dental schools in the UK require it, most do and some even have cut off scores. Therefore, it might be worth sitting just to keep your options open. Book in advance, practise attempting as many questions as you can and then finally test yourself under timed conditions. There are plenty of useful books and online resources which provide free UCAT style questions as well as payed courses such as Medify which give you access to a much larger bank of questions. The more you practice the easier it will be for you on the day. 

5. Interview: Be yourself! 

At this stage, you are essentially one step away from receiving an offer and that in itself is a tremendous accomplishment! The two main types of interviews are panel style or Multiple Mini interviews (MMI). Whilst a panel interview is traditional in nature, MMI’s consist of several stations, each assessing a different aspect. The beauty of an MMI is that each station is examined individually so if one goes horribly wrong you start afresh on the next one. Common things that could be assessed include manual dexterity, multi-tasking skills, ethical principles and communication skills. In addition, make sure you know your personal statement like the back of your hand and are able to expand on certain aspects if needed. Focus on non-verbal as well as verbal communication. Practice answering questions such as “Why dentistry” or “Why a particular university” with a family member/friend or even with yourself in front of a mirror and reflect on your performance. This will allow you to be more confident on the day. There are also many courses and books available that will help you prepare for the dental interview. 

Feeling overwhelmed with all this new information is nothing unusual so do not stress! Take a deep breath! Have faith in your abilities, stay positive and promise to give it your best go. That’s really all one can expect from themselves. There are many different routes to this dental destination and if one doesn’t work for you, don’t lose hope as others will. If you have any questions or queries, no matter how big or small or even if you’d just like some advice about the process, please get in touch with the Dental Elementary team, we’d love to hear from you!  

Good Luck! 

Lastly, to those who are either still in dental school or now a qualified dental professional, are there any other tips that you think might help these budding dentists? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this with someone who’ll thank you for it later! 

By Ayesha Ahmad