Foundation to Dentistry
Dentistry is one of the most respected and demanding of all the health professions, combining clinical skill and scientific knowledge with the interpersonal ability to put patients at ease and deliver high-quality care in a one-to-one setting. Dentists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and oral cavity, and they play a crucial role in the early detection of systemic conditions that manifest in the mouth. The profession requires precision, patience, strong communication, and a commitment to lifelong learning as techniques and materials continue to advance.
At the University of Liverpool, this six-year programme includes a foundation year at the outset, which is designed for students who have the potential to succeed in dentistry but who need additional preparation before entering the main dental programme. The foundation year, sometimes called Year 0, builds the scientific knowledge and academic skills needed for entry into the BDS programme, covering biology, chemistry, and the quantitative reasoning that underpinning biomedical study. From the main programme onwards, you will study dentistry in full, covering the biomedical sciences that underpin clinical practice alongside the full range of dental clinical skills, from preventive dentistry and restorations to oral surgery, prosthodontics, and orthodontics.
Liverpool has a long history of dental education and clinical excellence, and the programme involves substantial clinical practice in a well-equipped dental school.
Successful completion of a dental degree leads to registration with the General Dental Council and eligibility to practise as a dentist in the UK. Graduates may go on to work in NHS general practice, hospital dentistry, dental public health, or private practice. Many also pursue postgraduate training in dental specialisms, and some go on to academic or research careers in dental and oral science.
Dentistry is a career with high professional satisfaction, strong employment prospects, and significant social importance.