Khushbu talks about her postgraduate pathway into UCLAN.
Hi I’m Khushbu.
Hi I’m Khushbu Morar and I am currently a 1st year (2BDS) in a 4-year graduate entry programme at UCLAN dental school. It’s been difficult to get here but hay hoe, let me tell you a little but about my journey.
Introduction
I left high school and 6th form with the following grades: GCSE: 11 A* - B, A-levels: ABC (Applied Business, Chemistry, Biology) & AS-level: B (Psychology). I didn’t achieve my A-level grades required for dentistry the 1st time or during my resit period therefore I had to think of alternative options in order to succeed and gain my place at dental school.
During 2014-2015, I re-sat some A-level modules alongside completing an NVQ Level 3 in Dental nursing to gain a place to study Dental Hygiene and therapy at Cardiff University. This was an amazing experience, but I just wasn’t satisfied and wanted to increase my scope of practice so applied for Dentistry in my final year. I was unfortunately unsuccessful with 4 straight rejections! Not even an interview – I thought maybe this was fate but instead I decided to complete a Masters in Oral Biology in 2018-2019 and reapply again. On my second application, I received 1 interview and straight rejections from the other 3 universities, so all my eggs were in one basket. I was finally successful and gained my place at UCLAN. Over the moon of course – who wouldn’t be. This made me realise that you only ever need one interview to be given the chance to achieve your DREAM!!
The universities you applied to:
The 1st time I applied for dentistry, I applied to Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield & Cardiff. The second time applying, I applied to Cardiff, Bristol, Kings & UCLAN.
Why you choose this university
There were several reasons why I chose UCLAN: firstly, UCLAN is a very renounced university. Secondly, when reading the prospectus, I liked the structure of learning and curriculum where there is a good balance between theoretical and practical knowledge as I learn best my doing. Thirdly, we are encouraged to carry out patient-based learning through dental educational centres. This prepares students when working in practice and is very unique compared to other dental school as we don’t have a dental hospital. In addition, we are a very small cohort - there are 29 students on average per year – education is more personalised rather getting lost in a big group. Students are graduates therefore it was nice to learn about everyone’s life experiences and use these to help generally in life alongside academically. Furthermore, I live an hour away from UCLAN so ideal to get some home cooked food! Moreover, the human anatomy room is open long hours which is very practical and beneficial for students learning and development. Also, reviews have shown that students are 6 months ahead than other dental schools and adapt better during their foundation training year. The city is also close to places we can relax including beaches (Blackpool), Manchester and lake district. Finally, there is cultural diversity within the city which is very important for me personally.
What my year of training entails
In 1st year, we gain knowledge on the following: Oral science and medicine including anatomy, Behavioural science, Communication skills, Basic radiology, Health education & Dental materials. The skills we develop on phantom head include: Preventative techniques, Fillings, Oral examination, Injections, Extractions & Dental technology.
What the course is like?
The course consists of mostly lectures and practical session. We have approx. 8-10 lectures a week. Prosthetics on Monday, phantom head on Tuesday and Thursday, anatomy/HHD Wednesday and Friday depending on the semester. Anatomy was lecture based alongside 1 practical session every Friday. Human Health & Disease is lecture based but we have group session (x5) on the topics we have learnt where we are set different tasks and discuss as a group to teach each other the material.
We have exams monthly in 1st year as we are an accelerated course. So anatomy spotter is completed in first semester. Anatomy exam, foundation clinical knowledge and LA/RAD completed in 2nd semester, and HHD, Prosthetics and clinical knowledge 1 completed in 3rd semester. Several formative assessments along the way but although this sounds daunting, the course is manageable. We begin treatment on patient in June of 1st year.
Challenges of being a dental student
The challenges I have encountered so far as a dental student include:
Workload – It is very intense so important to keep on top of all your notes as soon lectures are delivered.
Being regulated by a professional body and ensuring you remain professional
Keeping up with social life can be difficult but balance is essential
Getting familiar with phantom head
Learning the new terminology as it can be daunting when you have little background knowledge about the profession
What you have gained being a student?
Completing a graduate entry course, I have gained maturity, networking. communication by becoming more confident and being able to communicate with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds & improving my manual dexterity.
“Don’t give up even if you are not successful the first time.”
— Khushbu
Tips for any future applicant would include:
Be yourself
Don’t give up even if you are not successful the first time
Ensure you have studied your chosen universities you are applying to well so you can shine in your interviews
Familiarise yourself with GDC standards and NHS values
Dress smartly and be confident even if you are nervous. Don’t let the nerves take over, a 1 hour interview could set you up for your whole life.
Your future plans:
Depending on what I enjoy the most during the course I would either like to carry out cosmetic dentistry or paediatric dentistry.