Dental Surgery

Learn the theory of dental science and the value of evidence-based dentistry while acquiring the practical skills to apply that knowledge in a clinical setting.

Sheffield’s BDS Dental Surgery programme is designed to give you practical, hands-on experience in dentistry as early as possible.

From the first year, you’ll visit dental clinics and start to learn about your role as a healthcare professional in the dental team. As you become more experienced, you'll sharpen your skills on placements in general dental practice.

Our five-year course is divided into nine integrated themes, from fundamental human anatomy to intermediate oral and dental care. The first year introduces you to the structure and function of the human body and of a healthy mouth. Year two is about providing comprehensive care for both young and elderly patients. And your third year is about gaining the skills and knowledge to treat patients holistically, with great attention to detail.

During the final two years, you will learn how to treat patients of all ages with increasingly complex care needs, and learn more about how to recognise, diagnose and prevent oral diseases. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake an elective placement which could take you anywhere in the world.

Placements and practice
As you become more experienced, you'll spend some time away from the Dental School and Charles Clifford Dental Hospital the Dental Hospital. You may treat patients in our Dental Practice Unit, have an opportunity to visit a district general hospital, and complete an elective period which enables you to explore an area of dentistry you are interested in.

Outreach
You'll complete a clinical outreach work placement, giving you the chance to treat an extended range of patients in Sheffield and the surrounding area.

Most of the placements are in general dental practice, with some in community dental clinics. These placements provide you with real work environments to sharpen your skills. You’ll work alongside dental hygiene and therapy students, giving you the experience of working as part of a dental team.

The General Dental Council quality assures and approves qualifications for registration, for the following registrant groups: dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, clinical dental technicians, dental technicians, and orthodontic therapists.

Why study this course?
- State-of-the-art training equipment: As part of the course you’ll undertake rigorous clinical skills training, including the use of ‘phantom heads’ as well as sessions in a simulation suite, to allow you to practise dentistry in a virtual reality environment.

- A robust outreach programme: Treating patients of all ages and backgrounds in real work environments will allow you to sharpen your skills. In your third year, you’ll even have the opportunity to take part in our peer-to-peer teaching scheme and tutor junior students in their pre-clinical training.

- Collaborative teaching: We believe in training the dental team together. You’ll learn alongside dental hygiene and dental therapy students in a way that prepares you for the realities of working in a dental practice.