Dental Surgey with Integrated Foundation Year

Dental surgery is one of the most demanding and rewarding clinical professions, requiring both exceptional manual dexterity and a deep scientific understanding of oral health, disease, and treatment. Dentists diagnose and treat a vast range of conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and oral cavity, working to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent the development of serious oral and systemic health problems. The profession requires not only clinical expertise but the ability to communicate sensitively with patients of all ages and backgrounds and to make sound clinical judgements under pressure.

At the University of Plymouth, this six-year full-time programme includes an integrated foundation year, providing a thorough preparation in the biological sciences and academic skills needed for clinical dental education before you advance to the main degree. You will study the sciences underpinning dental practice, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and pathology, alongside the clinical skills of tooth restoration, periodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, and patient communication. Clinical placements are an increasingly significant part of the programme as you progress, giving you hands-on patient care experience under supervision.

Entry typically requires around 152 UCAS tariff points.

Graduating with a dental surgery qualification gives you registration with the General Dental Council as a dentist, qualified to practise in NHS and private dental settings. The profession offers strong earning potential and considerable job security. Many graduates continue to postgraduate specialty training in areas such as oral surgery, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, or paediatric dentistry.