BDS Dental Surgery

• Year 1

• Your outstanding clinical education commences at the start of Year 1, working in small, integrated study groups you will 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 will attend the Simulated Dental Learning Environment (SDLE) from your first week developing essential clinical skills and in Term 2 you will experience contact with patients in the clinics where you will be able to develop your communication skills under the close supervision of dental practitioners, bringing to life the skills gained in SDLE. Near the end of the year you have your first experience in social engagement. 

  Core modules

  • Integrated Dental Science 1 (BDS) (BDS411)

    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.

  • Clinical Dental Practice 1 (BDS) (BDS412)

    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.

  • Professional Development 1 (BDS) (BDS413)

    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.

  • Inter-Professional Engagement 1 (BDS) (BDS414)

    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.

  • Interprofessional Learning 1 (HIPL400)

• 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 SDLE as you develop skills for advanced procedures whilst continuing to care for patients in the clinics in Plymouth 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. 

  Core modules

  • Integrated Dental Science 2 (BDS521)

    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.

  • Clinical Dental Practice 2 (BDS522)

    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.

  • Professional Development 2 (BDS523)

    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.

  • Inter-Professional Engagement 2 (BDS525)

    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.

  • Interprofessional Learning 2 (HIPL500)

• 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 Plymouth 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 three and four is to consolidate the learning of medically-related issues for the safe practice of dentistry. You will be 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 Plymouth.

  Core modules

  • Applied Dental Knowledge 1 (BDS631)

    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.

  • Clinical Dental Practice 3 (BDS632)

    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.

  • Professional Development 3 (BDS633)

    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.

  • Inter-Professional Engagement 3 (BDS634)

    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.

  • Interprofessional Learning 3 (HIPL600)

• Year 4

• In your fourth year you will live in Truro for the whole academic year. Clinical activity will expand to three days per week and you start to prepare clinical cases for Finals. Clinical dentistry will now embrace all of the aspects of dental care provision expected of a qualified dentist, will give you experience in advanced restorative techniques and strengthen your competence in treatment planning. You'll 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

  • Applied Dental Knowledge 2 (BDS741)

    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.

  • Clinical Dental Practice 4 (BDS742)

    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.

  • Professional Development 4 (BDS743)

    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.

  • Inter-Professional Engagement 4: Quality Improvement (BDS744)

    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.

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

  Core modules

  • Applied Dental Knowledge 3 (BDS751)

    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.

  • Clinical Dental Practice 5 (BDS752)

    This module comprises four components: Specialist Visit Reports; Objective Structured Clinical Examination; 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.

  • Professional Development 5 (BDS753)

    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.

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 2023 24 7241