Bristol dentistry

1

Hi, i’m in year 12 and was thinking about dentistry at bristol university.
Ok the open day, the only thing that put me off was that the dental school is like 30 minutes from the main uni buildings (although this was travelling by the open day coach so do you know any faster routes?) so I was worried that the dentistry students might be isolated from everyone else making it hard to socialise and make friends on other courses.
Also in terms of education, what does the daily dental student work life look like? (are lectures online sometimes/ are they shared with other majors?)
More generally, does the accommodation offer ensuite rooms for dentists (as I know queen mary's doesn’t)?
What is the social life like at bristol for a dentist, because I feel like it would be hard to connect with people who aren’t in the dentistry course because we are so far away..
Essentially, please tell me the pros and cons of dentistry at bristol and thank you so much I know this was a long post😅

Reply 1

McGinger

20

1) New location | Bristol Dental School | University of Bristol - brand new state-of-the-art building, on new site at Trinity Quay. Bristol Uni depts are dotted around all over the city centre, buses are speedy/good service. Location is not a problem.
2) Dentists will not be in 'special' accomodation - you'd be sharing whatever accom you choose with students on other courses, and this is deliberate so that you mix with all sorts of other people.
3) Some early teaching is shared with those on the Dental Therapy course - similar knowledge and skills needed.

Visit Bristol - The official tourist guide to Bristol - YouTube

Reply 2

roroplab

OP

1

Thank you!
Do you know how the teaching is structured - are there online lectures or dissections?
Also how is the diversity there?

Reply 3

McGinger

20

Original post by roroplab

Thank you!
Do you know how the teaching is structured - are there online lectures or dissections?
Also how is the diversity there?

No-idea about teaching etc - wasn't this explained to you during the subject presentation?
Big diversity, always a very 'mixed' course group, as this shows - The school on film | Bristol Dental School | University of Bristol

Reply 4

Neurosurgeonfr

3

Original post by roroplab

Hi, i’m in year 12 and was thinking about dentistry at bristol university.
Ok the open day, the only thing that put me off was that the dental school is like 30 minutes from the main uni buildings (although this was travelling by the open day coach so do you know any faster routes?) so I was worried that the dentistry students might be isolated from everyone else making it hard to socialise and make friends on other courses.
Also in terms of education, what does the daily dental student work life look like? (are lectures online sometimes/ are they shared with other majors?)
More generally, does the accommodation offer ensuite rooms for dentists (as I know queen mary's doesn’t)?
What is the social life like at bristol for a dentist, because I feel like it would be hard to connect with people who aren’t in the dentistry course because we are so far away..
Essentially, please tell me the pros and cons of dentistry at bristol and thank you so much I know this was a long post😅

I’m in year 11 thinking about dentistry - doing GCSEs at the moment and was wondering whether u could give me some advice about GCSE grades that would be enough to get into the dentistry course at Bristol

Reply 5

McGinger

20

Original post by Neurosurgeonfr

I’m in year 11 thinking about dentistry - doing GCSEs at the moment and was wondering whether u could give me some advice about GCSE grades that would be enough to get into the dentistry course at Bristol

Bristol only sets minimum GCSE grades for English (4) and Maths (7).

'As we do not weight A-levels or GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications), applicants who are predicted to, or have already achieved our minimum academic entry requirements will then have their application scored with a 100% weighting on the UCAT result, which will be used to select candidates for interview.'
So, if you meet the basic A level entry requirements (BDS Dentistry | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol) and the required GCSE grade above, they then only use UKCAT to select for interview - and they don't read Personal Statements unless they have applicants with identical borderline UKCAT scores.

Reply 6

Neurosurgeonfr

3

Oh wow - didn’t realise that all the pressure would be put upon the UCAT, thank you!

Reply 7

McGinger

20

Bristol started doing this for Dent and Med about 5 years ago - its possible that other Unis may also be taking a similar approach. Personal Statements are no way to pick future doctors and dentists.

Reply 8

Neurosurgeonfr

3

Also looking at imperial however they are much more competitive, Bristol would be my back up.

Reply 9

McGinger

20

Original post by Neurosurgeonfr

Also looking at imperial however they are much more competitive, Bristol would be my back up.

Just remember that it doesn't actually matter where you train as a dentist.
These courses are all accredited as equal by the GDC - they teach the same set syllabus and all lead to exactly the same professional qualification. There is no 'better' course. The NHS isn't going to care where you trained, and neither will your future patients.

Reply 10

SoccerMommy

8

A 30 minute walk to the dental school is the least of your problems. Having recently been through the process of securing a place with a close family member, you need excellent GCSE results, excellent A-level or equivalent results, an excellent UCAT score, excellent communication skills and an excellent performance at interview. As well as a good personal statement and hopefully some work experience. Choose the dental schools that give you the best chance of securing an interview (requirements vary) and go from there. My family member had interviews at Newcastle, Bristol and Birmingham and had two offers from those. Chose Bristol for proximity to home and new state of the art facilities. But would have happily studied at Newcastle 400 miles away if that was the only offer. Good luck, it’s tough!

Bristol dentistry

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