Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Information for new students (September 2012)
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is an integrated course with no separation between the basic science and clinical subjects, and, within the clinical subjects, teaching within the various topics draws expertise from all relevant divisions and from other schools within the University.
Cardiff School of Dentistry offers a five-year (UCAS Code A200) and a six-year (UCAS Code A204) dental programme. Graduates are awarded a fully classified University degree and are eligible for dental registration with the General Dental Council.
The six-year programme, including a Foundation year, is for those applicants who cannot meet the subject requirements for entry to the five-year programme.
The School teaches the new integrated curriculum which was introduced in 2001; this gives students early clinical contact – students in year one spend one day a week at the School of Dentistry.
The foundation year (Year 0), and most of Year 1 are taught within Cardiff School of Biosciences at the Cathays Park campus. Following successful completion of your examinations, you will continue the majority of your studies at the School of Dentistry.
In years 2-5 teaching is primarily based in the School of Dentistry at the Heath Park campus, although there are increased opportunities to practice in community clinics, district general hospitals and satellite academic units throughout Wales, including the new St David’s Primary Care Unit. More information regarding Learning and teaching can be found here.
Programme Structure
The BDS is an integrated course with no separation between the basic science and clinical subjects, and, within the clinical subjects, teaching within the various topics draws expertise from all relevant divisions and from other schools within the University.
Year 1
You will spend most of the first year studying The Foundation Theme in the School of Biosciences learning the basic sciences of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, which are the foundation for the practice of Dentistry. Teaching is delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, and practicals. Students are also timetabled to spend one day per week at the University Dental Hospital observing clinic activity, learning about clinical procedures, professionalism and dental terminology as well as learning about the role and responsibilities of the Dental Team. You will also undertake Library, IT and study skills training whilst at the Dental Hospital.
Year 2
Following successful completion of the first year, you will continue to learn about the foundation topics that become integrated with the Oral Ecosystems Theme, which covers the basic sciences relevant to the mouth, including the development, physiology and biochemistry of oral and dental tissues, . These themes are enhanced and supported by the Human Diseases Theme through which students learn those aspects of Medicine, Pharmacology and Surgery required by a dentist. In Year 2 you are also introduced to Clinical Dentistry, commencing with the Pre-Operative Techniques course in the Pre-Clinical Laboratory which is required before progressing to work with your own patients in July of the second year. You will cover areas such as Radiology, Dental Pathology, Periodontology, Dental Materials, Cariology, Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics within the Clinical Dentistry theme. The Dentistry in the Wider Community theme covers the Behavioural Sciences and Ethics required to work within the community as well as continuing the Family Study programme which you started in the first year.
Years 3 and 4
In the third and fourth years, you will follow the Clinical Dentistry, Human Diseases and Dentistry in the Wider Community themes covering topics such as Integrated Restorative Dental Care, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontology, Paediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Statistics, Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology and Dental Public Health. In addition to this, you will increase the amount of time spent in the clinics treating patients and developing interpersonal and clinical skills.
Year 5
The final year provides a substantial amount of time for training outwith the Dental School. You will spend your time in the dental units of district general hospitals, local and outreach community dental clinics, a primary dental care unit remote from the School. There is also an opportunity for taking part in the ERASMUS programme to further develop your skills prior to graduation. The School is actively involved in the ERASMUS exchange programme and has formal links with institutions located in Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy amongst others. Students entering the final year of the B.D.S. (Hons) degree are required to undertake a Final Year Project that contributes to their overall degree classification. The Final Year Project aims to provide you with experience in research methodology, critical appraisal of literature and scholarship