Dentistry entry- UK and EU

[UserNN]

My DD got A* A A for her A level. She had a UKCAT score of 2460. She didn't get any offers for Dentistry in the UK and doesn't want to do any other course. If she takes her UKCAT again next month am not sure if there is any guarantee even with a good UKCAT score she would get in. Any ideas about doing dentistry outside the UK and what your experience was/is with this. Done some research on Bulgaria but she is adamant she doesn't want to go there so if she doesn't get in for Sept 25 she wants to give up on her dream of being a Dentist which I know she would be really sad about. Anyone been through this journey before and can help. PS we applied to Dublin but got a rejection today. Didn't realise the BBC on their website needed to be converted to points which meant despite her excellent grades didn't get enough points.😌. I am at a loss as to what to do for my DD. She has worked so hard!!!

@UserNN , 2 tips:
Ask MN to move this to Higher Education section.

Join the Facebook group WIWIKAU and search on Dentistry. There are many similar stories plus an uplifting 1 of a ds who was rejected 2nd time round and all set to move to the Czech Republic to study when he got an offer on results day from a U.K. course that had rejected him.

Best of luck to your dd with her UCAT.

I supervise both UK new grads & those that have newly graduated abroad and I've got to say I think the current cohort of Spain/Bulgaria trained are outclassing the UK grads. If I was applying now I would seriously consider it. I have a fair amount of experience of Valencia grads and they are excellent. Link to an article about studying abroad by the daughter of a prominent UK dentist, think she's done some podcasts as well if you Google her. dentistry.co.uk/2024/06/18/a-voyage-of-self-discovery-dentistry-and-studying-abroad/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE8A_1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYB3B325Z-9o2oV2esE3Mkb2wDfBFl5c_zgz9b90Qv3EftyoRZbPhm06tg_aem_9jSgX3ReIVH1snqrWtKaqg

The daughter of a friend of mine is in a similar position. It's very hard for them when they've worked hard and achieved high grades. My friend's DD is taking a gap year and trying again. She's having some coaching in interview techniques and has been able to get a job as a health care assistant on the surgical wards at her local hospital so she's looking after patients having maxillofacial surgery some of the time. She's hoping she might be able to get into theatres to observe at some point too. She's hoping that she'll be able to strengthen her application by using the time to demonstrate her commitment. I think she's going to opt for some kind of science degree if she doesn't get in this time though. It's very tough. There's nothing "wrong" with her, or I'm sure, your DD, but there are so many very able young people wanting to do the course.
I'm not sure why we're always hearing about there being a shortage of dentists when it seems to be such a popular course. No advice sorry, but I hope your DD is successful next time.

Can I ask why you think that is?

This is ridiculous.

All suitably qualified uk students should get places on these courses over international students paying double fees.

Interesting thread..Maybe she'll have to give up her "dream" in looking down people's throats for the next 40 years.

Spain would make the most sense. But she can’t be that bothered about dentistry if she’s throwing in the towel so early.

@GreatFinch thank you for that great insight.

I think it's quite simply more clinical exposure. The volume of procedures the overseas grads have done far exceeds the volume from the UK grads (have worked with FDs from 4 UK based institutions in last 2years). Dentistry is a practical subject, you get good at it by doing it. I qualified 20years ago, the UK grads are doing about half the number of procedures I did to qualify. I'm teaching fairly basic skills to our FDs that I would of been expected to of mastered at Uni.

@UserNN

What did your DD decide to do ? Did she re-apply given her excellent A level results ?

We're going through the application process at the moment and DD's school have advise us to think of it as a 2 year process just like they tell the medicine applicants.

I think my DD will an interview to be a major challenge due to her reserved nature.