Dentistry abroad

Hi everyone,
I got my A level results recently, and am heartbroken as it seems as though my dream is over.
I got A - chemistry, B - physics, C-biology and C-ASmaths.

Its annoying as I was on course for AABb right up until the final exams where 1 single unit in each set of exams has proven my downfall.

Iv also looked at alternative degrees, but my heart is set on dentistry.

I phoned up the charles university for the czech republic just now, and they said my grades are good enough assuming I do well in the entrance test - which is basically an overall A level test.

I dont want to waste my life, and dentistry is the only thing I really want to do. If i do not go abroad, Iv decided to to chemical engineering here in uk at perhaps ucl if i can get a place (im qualified for their minimum req - just depends on the competition and whether im good enough to get a place i suppose).

The switch is large, but I couldnt face doing a degree to enter into healthcare, working alongside dentists, knowing each day that it could have been me doing their job instead. Therefore Id rather do something totally unrelated so that this thought isnt in my mind when I wake up and go to work every day - if that makes sense. I suppose its a case of all or nothing.

One problem may be finance, as you need approx 7K a year for tuition, plus some extra for living. Living however in the Czech is about a 1/3 of the living expense in england - so overall i end up with the same amount of debt. This, unfortunately needs to be paid upfront each year, which may prove difficult, unless I work during my holidays. For the first year, I am on a gap year in which i can earn enough for the first year tuition and accom.

I really dont know what to do right now, as it is definately what i want to do, but I dont want to waste my education, and i dont know a lot about this option, and whether its worth it. Has anyone done this and how do you find it?

I suppose im not really asking for any advice, as its my decision in the end, but rather, id like to know peoples overall opinions on such an option, and whether it is a viable one.

thanks for reading my rambling thoughts.
w00tt

Reply 1

Kaytus

4

If you are really determined to do dentistry i'd give it a go. But have you checked whether you need to take an exam or do more training (and how much this costs) in order to practice in the UK after getting a dentistry degree from the Czech Republic.

Reply 2

suthi101

This is abit of a problem. i kno the situation u are in.........i contemplated going abroad, but u gotta weigh up the pros and cons. i had the grades but no uni offered me a place also having taken a gap yr out, but lukily 4 me a uni foned my on results day and offered me a place ova the fone. (probably the last thing u wanna hear about now).

if u only flawed in a single unit in each subject why not ask ur sixth form/college to let u retake the single modules in jan exams, i kno a few ppl who have retaken a yr at a level and been offered a place for dentistry! one of my mates has gone to hungary to study dentistry.........but hes got the financial backing, and common folk like me and you will find it difficult to maintain the financial demands.

find out wat financial help is available from the university and student support in czech republic. u gotta think of everything b4 u go, mayb getting lower grades than wat u were predicted was meant to be and u were meant to be an engineer not a dentist. i kno it sounds abit off but seriously think about it, it'll be a brilliant experience, but will u stick it out for 5 years?

Reply 3

suthi101

This is abit of a problem. i kno the situation u are in.........i contemplated going abroad, but u gotta weigh up the pros and cons. i had the grades but no uni offered me a place also having taken a gap yr out, but lukily 4 me a uni foned my on results day and offered me a place ova the fone. (probably the last thing u wanna hear about now).

if u only flawed in a single unit in each subject why not ask ur sixth form/college to let u retake the single modules in jan exams, i kno a few ppl who have retaken a yr at a level and been offered a place for dentistry! one of my mates has gone to hungary to study dentistry.........but hes got the financial backing, and common folk like me and you will find it difficult to maintain the financial demands.

find out wat financial help is available from the university and student support in czech republic. u gotta think of everything b4 u go, mayb getting lower grades than wat u were predicted was meant to be and u were meant to be an engineer not a dentist. i kno it sounds abit off but seriously think about it, it'll be a brilliant experience, but will u stick it out for 5 years?

Reply 4

Ourkid

OP

12

I know for a fact its all i want to ever do, i just heard of a mate whos got a place today, and it hurts like hell, but im happy for him.

I just dont know what to do anymore, i just wish id worked harder, even though i worked hard and i honestly thought id get the grades. its ****ed up, and i just.........arghghghghhg... imjust pulling my hair out, it just kills.

I know id make a brilliant dentist (up myself) as im patient, good speaker, hard working etc etc and im good with my hands, but im not going to get in because im missing the grades.

does anyone rekon i could get a dentist to give me a scholarship for dentistry abroad, assuming i could get a place? im desperate enough to beg...

Reply 5

confusd_puzzled

hey,
iam studying dentistry in Hungary..if any one needs information about studying then send me a PM
regards

Reply 6

malaysian dentist

5

Try Malaysia. requirements are rather low. tuition fees are much more cheaper (5-6K per year)
check out http://aimst.edu.my
juz tryin 2 help :biggrin:

Reply 7

amblesidec

I am seriously considering studying dentistry abroad..maybe in hungary, can anyone give me a basic and brief overview of how to get in contact with the right people and what else i should do??

Reply 8

losthope

malaysian dentist

Try Malaysia. requirements are rather low. tuition fees are much more cheaper (5-6K per year)
check out http://aimst.edu.my
juz tryin 2 help :biggrin:

Malaysia would be amazing! I'd go just for the food!

Reply 9

gene-ius

6

I believe that if you are qualified oversees as a dentist, you need to sit a rather hard entrance exam (once qualified) to be able to practice in the UK. So it is possible to study abroad and then come back over here, it's just hard.

I don't think a dentist would fund you - there is nothing in it for them really, as they don't know you, they haven't chosen you personally, and they can hire someone else for the same money now/in 5 years time without fronting the tuition fees.

Is it worth resiting those modules and then reapplying next year (by which time you can have tripled your amount of work experience etc?).
Or, is it worth doing a science-related undergraduate degree and applying as a graduate in 3 years time? If you get a 2:1 then many uni's won't even look at your A levels, as long as you have them (though I would still recommend resiting that Biology module, as you probably want a B in it).

Hope that helps x

Reply 10

today

malaysian dentist

Try Malaysia. requirements are rather low. tuition fees are much more cheaper (5-6K per year)
check out http://aimst.edu.my
juz tryin 2 help :biggrin:

That link doesn't work. :s-smilie:

Reply 11

drAyaan

The orignal poster ended up doing Economics at Warwick lolol

Reply 12

andrewhennigan

I think you need to make sure the school abroad is somehow recognised by the dental council. speak to the school you're looking to join and ask them about this... better still, speak to the dental council (?!)

Reply 13

prodigy92

Think this is the website to apply and for info:
http://www.readmedicine.com/
there's 3 uni's you can go to, one of them is in Valencia in Spain! doesn't look too bad, and they're all GDC recognised!

Reply 14

abdul786_786

Original post by confusd_puzzled

hey,
iam studying dentistry in Hungary..if any one needs information about studying then send me a PM
regards

I am thinkin of going Hungary. What is it like living there?

Reply 15

zoh

Hey, im also looking to study dentistry in hungary but i really want to know if they offer a student loan that we are eligible to just like any EU member is when they come here.

Reply 16

pb101

Original post by gene-ius

I believe that if you are qualified oversees as a dentist, you need to sit a rather hard entrance exam (once qualified) to be able to practice in the UK. So it is possible to study abroad and then come back over here, it's just hard.

I don't think a dentist would fund you - there is nothing in it for them really, as they don't know you, they haven't chosen you personally, and they can hire someone else for the same money now/in 5 years time without fronting the tuition fees.

Is it worth resiting those modules and then reapplying next year (by which time you can have tripled your amount of work experience etc?).
Or, is it worth doing a science-related undergraduate degree and applying as a graduate in 3 years time? If you get a 2:1 then many uni's won't even look at your A levels, as long as you have them (though I would still recommend resiting that Biology module, as you probably want a B in it).

Hope that helps x

hi there
i was wondering how u knew that you would have to sit an entrance exam to practise in the uk? and would that apply regardless of which uni u went to in europe?

Reply 17

Mischo91

[Hi my name is mehwesh.

I have just seen this thread about studying dentistry abroad.Dentistry is my dream. Ive done dental nursing for two years before i went college as I was always inspired by this field thorough far related family members being dentists.

I knew straight away this is what I want to do. So I went further to do my A -levels n did bio chem psych and german full A levels.
But unfortunatley after AS year I kinda knew that I wont be able to get the grades and I didnt want to be without a uni place at the end. I had AABB at AS.
So I didnt bother applying and applierd to pharmacy instead.

Now ive gt a place for pharmacy bt my mind n heart still for dentistry.
Ill be starting pharmacy this year and am still soooo uncertain. I dunno what to do....
Iam seriousley considering to study dentistry abroad....a uni which allows you to work in the UK after u graduate...
But I need a partner who is planning same as going abroad is a big stepon your own n a bit scary tbh.

So if u thinking the same, contact me on [mod edit]
(20yrs old from manchester)

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 18

toff33popcorn

2

Original post by amblesidec

I am seriously considering studying dentistry abroad..maybe in hungary, can anyone give me a basic and brief overview of how to get in contact with the right people and what else i should do??

Here's a link you could try http://www.getglobaleducation.com/pdf_files/PECS.pdf
I'm thinking of going there too :smile:

Reply 19

Govani1

If you graduate as a dental surgeon in the EU, then your qualification is definitely valid in the UK without sitting any entrance examinations in the UK.

You do however have to do a VT equivalence instead of the DF years they have in place for qualified dentists from the UK. These usually last between 6 months to a year, the difficult bit is finding placements at dental practices who take on VT equivalences.

Hope this helps

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Dentistry abroad

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