Widening participation in Dentistry

King’s College London has launched its ‘Enhanced Support Dentistry Programme’, a widening participation initiative which aims to give talented students from any background the opportunity to embark on a career in dentistry.

The programme is designed to provide additional support to exceptionally able students who would like to enrol on the five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course at King’s, but believe they would be excluded because they anticipate not doing well enough at A-level.

At the end of the programme students will receive exactly the same qualification as their peers on the regular BDS course, and will have undertaken the same assessments. However, students on the Enhanced Support Dentistry Programme will be given more academic and pastoral support for the duration of the BDS programme, as well as additional financial support.

Mark Woolford, Director of Education at the King’s Dental Institute, said: ‘We are delighted to offer this programme to talented students showing real aptitude, who may not otherwise have the opportunity to consider a career in dentistry.

‘Ranked number one for Dentistry in both the Complete University Guide, and The Guardian University Guide this year, the Dental Institute has an outstanding reputation for dental education and training. We are thrilled to be able to open our doors to students who are exceptionally talented but who may not have previously felt able to apply for the BDS programme.’

Professor Eeva Leinonen, Vice Principal for Education, who leads the College’s Widening Participation strategy, said: ‘King’s has a longstanding commitment to widening participation, particularly through its flagship Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP), which has been running for over 10 years. The EMDP has been cited by Government* as an example of a highly successful initiative to raise aspirations and encourage social mobility.

‘King’s seeks to build on this success, focusing on other professions and Dentistry is part of our strategy for widening access to the professions.’

The Enhanced Support Dentistry Programme begins in September 2012 with 20 places available for students who are performing exceptionally well within their peer group and have a high level of aptitude. Initially recruitment efforts will target non-selective state schools in the Greater London, Kent and Medway areas but the programme will be open to all students that meet the entry criteria.

Entry requirements for the course will include A level grades down to BBB/C or equivalent, and students will be required to attend an and sit the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). King’s will help to arrange work experience in local dental practices and will also provide support in years 12 and 13 to help prepare students for the UKCAT and studying at University.

Once enrolled on the programme, each student will be assigned a personal academic tutor. The structure of the timetable allows for extra time spent working in groups, additional study time and individual tuition. As the course progresses, students may become more academically independent and therefore require less day-to-day direct support, but it will still be available as required.

Students on the programme will receive £3,000 towards living expenses, including text books, in the first three years, and in Year Five all students on the BDS course receive an NHS bursary for their final clinical year.

UCAS will accept applications up until 15 January 2012 for the first intake.