Introduction

Having left school without the required grades to meet the entry requirements for dentistry courses, my pathway into dentistry began with an undergraduate degree in Oral Health Sciences at the University of Dundee. I felt that this choice would provide me with a better pathway into the profession than other science based undergraduate degrees. Graduating in 2016 with distinction, and joining the register as a qualified dental hygienist/ therapist, I had already submitted my application and been accepted to start studying dentistry in the autumn of the same year.

My University choices

Having already been at uni for three years, the idea of another five years at university was a difficult thought and so I mainly submitted applications to universities offering shortened four year graduate entry courses: Aberdeen, UCLAN and Manchester, but also applied to Dundee having already been a student there. Most universities ask for a 2:1 honours degree, but the degree program I was undertaking did not offer honours and was a bachelors.

I Received conditional offers from both Aberdeen and UCLAN with the condition being the equivalent average grade throughout my degree to what would be needed to achieve a 2:1 honours

Why I choose Aberdeen

Both universities had great positive qualities but the choice between the two was quite easy. Aberdeen really put the effort in at the open day I attended, the interview, and then also followed up with helpful information through emails.They gave a sense that they really wanted me to go there as well as me wanting to go there. The facilities at the Institute of Dentistry looked very modern and I liked the idea of being taught in the same facility throughout the course as opposed to UCLANs dental education centre system. The city itself offered quite affordable accommodation and having been brought up in the north east of Scotland, I knew the area well.

What my year involves

Currently a final year student having just sat my final exams the day before writing this. The year mainly consists of clinical work with a small amount of teaching throughout the year. During the final year you are on clinic treating patients almost every day. This is supplemented with four, two week placements to outreach centres in Elgin and Stornoway (I did not know where they were either) which are both lovely places to visit and travel and accommodation is included for your placements. They give you more of a feel for what it is like to work out in the community dental setting and not in a dental hospital. The supervisors in these centres give you more clinical freedom than what you are used to and has really helped to build my confidence to make clinical decisions. 

The teaching at Aberdeen is mainly lecture based, but due to there being a much smaller number of students in each year than most dental schools, the maximum being twenty, the lectures end up being quite interactive and it is very easy to ask questions or for clarification. With it being a smaller school, there is more of a chance to interact and get to know the staff who will be teaching and assessing you and there is very much an open door policy when it comes to any issues or questions you may have. There is an excellent clinical skills facility with phantom heads where clinical procedures are taught and tested on before being allowed to carry out on clinic. I think another reason for choosing Aberdeen was how early you get to start on clinics. This starts during the second semester of first year with a clinic once a week, and gradually builds up as you progress through the years.

The challenges of being a student

Days are a lot longer than many other university courses. You can expect to be at university every day during the week so there is not as much time available to participate with any sports clubs or societies while at university. However, it is still very much possible to balance studies with a good social life and I have taken advantage of the great golf membership offered through the university and also continued to have a part time job throughout my studies. 

Being a dental student also requires you to maintain a level of professionalism at all times, as you are under the scrutiny of a professional body not only once you are qualified, but also while a student.