Dentistry

Dentistry BDS (Bachelor of

Dental Surgery)
UCAS Code: A205
Duration: Five years
2018 Entry
Study mode: Full-time

kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/dentistry-bds.aspx

Our Dentistry BDS course combines the Key benefits Course details The final two years of the course are designed
to give students extensive clinical exposure
very latest thinking in dental education • Evidence-based and research-led degree Our course has three main components. The first with structured placements for practice in
with early clinical experience. You will course with a high level of clinical experience consists of subjects common to medicine and the community, as part of a dental team,
in all areas. dentistry, progressing from biomedical sciences providing care in diverse settings.
be taught by internationally-renowned
• Ranked 1st in Europe and 4th in the world for through behavioural sciences, epidemiology,
staff and exposed to a rich breadth of Dentistry (QS World University Rankings, pathology and microbiology to human
skills and knowledge in a diverse clinical 2017). disease. The second includes oral and dental
aspects of the biological sciences leading to
environment. • State-of-the-art clinical and technical facilities
an understanding of the diagnosis, prevention
• Largest dental school in the UK graduating and treatment of oral and dental diseases and
over 160 dentists a year. disorders, and the effects of systemic disease
• Partnership with the world-famous hospitals: on the oral and dental tissues. The third
Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’. covers the clinical and technical aspects of
• Opportunity to intercalate a BSc degree. dentistry with the provision of comprehensive
oral and dental healthcare for patients of all
ages. Throughout your degree, the balance of
teaching will shift from theoretical and academic
science to practical and clinical experience.
Our curriculum enables students to assist in
the dental care of patients from year one and
assume an appropriate level of responsibility
for patient care at an early stage.
Dentistry BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) King’s College London kcl.ac.uk 2

Teaching style Regulating body problems and progress to start the

The integrated nature of our course means that basic science teaching will relate to clinical practice King’s College London is regulated by the restorative care of your own patients.
and clinical teaching will be underpinned by scientific understanding. Our course emphasises whole Higher Education Funding Council for England. Linked to the practical clinical courses will be
patient care, which requires consideration of the patients’ total dental and medical needs, rather biomedical science subjects, such as anatomy
than just the provision of individual items of treatment. of the head and neck, and oral biology. You will
Course structure also develop an understanding of all aspects
Our working environment is structured into cross-year undergraduate teams so that students benefit of the nervous system relevant to dentistry.
Courses are divided into modules, and During this year, you will begin to learn about
from working and studying with the same group of teachers and peers throughout their time at
you will normally take modules totalling human disease and this strand of learning
the Dental Institute.
795 credits. Each year of the course is will continue for the remainder of your time
Course stage Percentage of time in Percentage of time in Percentage of time
a module and you are required to take on our course by studying topics such as
scheduled learning and guided independent study on placements
all modules for course completion. pathology, microbiology and immunology.
teaching activities
Year 1 The following topics comprise the year two
Year 1 30% 66% 4% After a one-week introductory course, module (150 credits):
Year 2 34% 56% 10% you will spend the remainder of year one
studying biomedical sciences and topics • BDS Communication in Dentistry
Year 3 11% 34% 55% relevant to the practice of dentistry. • BDS Management and Leadership
Year 4 16% 27% 57% Throughout the year, you will be
• BDS Professionalism in Health Care
introduced to the clinical aspects of
Year 5 31% 7% 62% dentistry and dental technology and • BDS Social and Behavioural Sciences
shown the relevance of basic science. • BDS Dental Public Health
Assessment • BDS Oral Surgery
The following topics comprise the year one
You will be assessed through written and practical examinations at the end of each year of the • BDS Radiology
module (120 credits):
course. You will be required to submit in-course assessments e.g. poster presentations, online tests, • BDS Dental Material Science
special projects and reports which must be successfully completed to progress through the course.
• BDS Communication in Dentistry • BDS Pathology, Microbiology and
• BDS Management and Leadership Immunology
Course stage Percentage of assessment Percentage of assessment Percentage of assessment
by written exams by practical exams by coursework • BDS Professionalism in Health Care • BDS Care of the Dental Patient
• BDS Social and Behavioural Sciences • BDS Conservative and Minimum Intervention
Year 1 100% - -
Dentistry
• BDS Dental Public Health
Year 2 100% - - • BDS Science -Oral and Craniofacial Biology
• BDS Radiology
Year 3 67% 33% - • BDS Periodontology
• BDS Care of the Dental Patient
Year 4 - 100% - • BDS Prosthtodontics
• BDS Science - Biomedical Sciences
• BDS Human Disease
Year 5 33% 67% - • BDS Conservative and Minimum Intervention
Dentistry
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of • BDS Science - Oral and Craniofacial Biology
what to expect. However, they may change if the course modules change.

Course accreditation Year 2

The BDS course is regularly reviewed by the General Dental Council. It received a ‘sufficient for Year two concentrates on the introduction
registration as a dentist’ rating at its last inspection in 2013. and development of basic dental clinical
skills. You will treat patients with minor
Dentistry BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) King’s College London kcl.ac.uk 3

Year 3 will continue to learn about and perform valuable experience working in a dental team Location
In year three, you will continue to learn about more advanced procedures in restorative with dental nurses, hygienists and therapists
dentistry. During this year, you will gain a to prepare yourself effectively for Dental This course is taught at the following locations:
all aspects of human disease and study the
replacement of missing teeth. You will learn about strong foundation in periodontology, child Foundation Training and future practice.
dental healthcare and orthodontics. • Guy’s Campus
fixed and removable prostheses, such as dental
implants. There is also a technical component As you become more proficient at dentistry, The following topics comprise the year five • Denmark Hill Campus
to these courses to ensure you understand how you will treat patients under conscious module (180 credits): • St Thomas’ Campus
prostheses are constructed and how to deal with sedation. Learning continues in the human
problems associated with their fit and function. disease strand of the curriculum and you • BDS Communication in Dentistry
In addition, clinical placements are currently
You will devote significant time each week to are introduced to an ongoing course in oral • BDS Professionalism in Health Care based at:
the clinical care of patients including tuition disease that will incorporate pathology and
• BDS Social and Behavioural Sciences
in conservative dentistry and prosthodontics. medicine relevant to disease in and around
• BDS Dental Public Health • University of Portsmouth Dental Academy OR
You will also begin to learn about and perform the mouth. Under the supervision of specialist
teachers, you will be able to treat patients • BDS Oral Disease • West Norwood Health & Leisure Centre AND
the extraction of teeth and minor oral surgery.
At the end of year three, you will have the with more complex dental problems. • BDS Oral Surgery King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill
opportunity to take an intercalated year for • BDS Radiology
a BSc degree which allows you to pursue a The following topics comprise the year four
module (165 credits): • BDS Special Care Dentistry
subject of your choice in greater depth.
• BDS Conservative and Minimum Intervention
The following topics comprise the year three • BDS Communication in Dentistry Dentistry
module (180 credits): • BDS Professionalism in Health Care • BDS Periodontology
• BDS Social and Behavioural Sciences • BDS Orthodontics
• BDS Communication in Dentistry
• BDS Dental Public Health • BDS Paediatric Dentistry
• BDS Management and Leadership
• BDS Oral Disease • BDS Outreach (clinical placements)
• BDS Professionalism in Health Care
• BDS Oral Surgery
• BDS Social and Behavioural Sciences King’s College London reviews the modules
• BDS Radiology
• BDS Dental Public Health offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-
• BDS Conservative and Minimum Intervention
• BDS Oral Surgery date, innovative and relevant programmes
Dentistry
of study. Therefore, modules offered may
• BDS Radiology • BDS Periodontology change. We suggest you keep an eye on the
• BDS Dental Material Science • BDS Orthodontics course finder on our website for updates.
• BDS Pathology, Microbiology and • BDS Paediatric Dentistry
Immunology
• BDS Outreach (clinical placements)
• BDS Conservative and Minimum Intervention
Dentistry
Year 5
• BDS Periodontology
The final year consolidates all you have learned
• BDS Prosthtodontics up to this point. You will continue to provide
• BDS Human Disease comprehensive dental care for adult and child
patients. A specific feature of our programme,
our structured placements enable you to work
Year 4
on a regular basis at purpose-built clinics
In year four, you will spend most of the away from the main campus amongst diverse
week providing dental care for patients. You patient populations. There, you will gain
Dentistry BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) King’s College London kcl.ac.uk 4

Career prospects Fees and funding For further information, please visit the fees and
funding section of our website: kcl.ac.uk/study/
A variety of career pathways are open to new Full time tuition fees UK undergraduate/fees-and-funding/index.aspx
dental graduates. The career path for many The UK tuition fees for the 2018-19 academic
graduates is general practice, with others year are available are available on our course
aiming to be consultants in the hospital dental web page: kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/
service, senior clinical academics in a teaching courses/dentistry-bds.aspx
hospital, or specialist practitioners. In every
case, newly-qualified graduates will enter Please note that the tuition fees for subsequent
practice by way of Dental Foundation Training. years of study may be subject to increases
Foundation Dentists (FDs) work in a Training in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Practice under supervision and have a day
release course of lectures and demonstrations Full time tuition fees EU
building on the undergraduate degree and
Current regulations allow some students to
giving instruction in all aspects of practice
pay UK tuition fees on the basis of their EU
management. After this year, successful FDs
citizenship or residency. Until these eligibility
can begin work as an associate in a practice.
criteria are changed, the EU tuition fee will
remain the same as the UK tuition fee.

The UK tuition fees for the 2018-19 academic

year are available are available on our course
web page: kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/
courses/dentistry-bds.aspx

Please note that the tuition fees for subsequent

years of study may be subject to increases
in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Full time tuition fees International

The International tuition fees for the 2018-19
academic year are available on our course
web page: kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/
courses/dentistry-bds.aspx

Please note that the tuition fees for subsequent

years of study may be subject to increases
in line with King’s terms and conditions.

All International applicants to undergraduate

programmes are required to pay a deposit of £5,000
against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit
is payable within 2 weeks from when you firmly
accept an offer to study with us, and will be offset
against your tuition fees when you join King’s.
Dentistry BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) King’s College London kcl.ac.uk 5

In addition to the costs above, you

Additional costs/expenses can also expect to pay for: 
The following table gives you an indication of additional costs associated with your course. These
costs are not included in your tuition fees. • books if you choose to buy your own copies 
• clothing for optional course related events and
competitions 
Item Approximate cost (over Total • library fees and fines 
span of programme)
• personal photocopies 
DBS check- paid just prior to course £50.00 £50.00 • printing course handouts 
entry
• society membership fees 
DBS ongoing subscription £13.00/year after first check £52.00 • stationery 
Travel between campuses (to Up to £200.00 in each year: 3 and 4 £400.00 • graduation costs
Denmark Hill from Guy’s) • travel costs for travel around London and
Initial funding of placement travel £2,375.00 (Portsmouth) or £98.00 £2,375.00 or £98.00 between campuses. 
(can be claimed back) (West Norwood)

Job hunting expenses £200.00 £200.00

Disclaimer
This PDF was produced in August 2017.
Final year printing of poster for £5.00 £5.00
Although it was up-to-date at the time
case presentation
it was produced, please make sure you
Graduation costs: tickets, gown £200.00 £200.00 check our website or contact us directly
hire etc. for the very latest information before you
commit yourself to any of our courses:
GDC registration (in year of Refer to GDC website for prevailing Variable – see example
kcl.ac.uk/study
graduation) rates. For example,registration fee
paid in July 2016 is £445.02 to cover
Contact us
July – December 2016.
+44 (0)20 7836 5454

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