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Oral and Dental Health Sciences, BSc (Hons)

Newcastle University, the United Kingdom

Newcastle University

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The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
BSc (Hons)find out3 yearsfind outGBP 9250 per yearfind out

About Oral and Dental Health Sciences, BSc (Hons) - at Newcastle University

Course Overview

This practical degree equips you with the professional skills you'll need for a career as a dental hygienist and therapist.

At a Glance

UCAS Code
A207

UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21

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Degree Awarded
BSc Honours

Course Duration
3 Years

Entry Requirements Icon

Entry Requirements
A Level: ABB
IB: 34 points

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Opportunities
Professionally accredited

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As a dental hygienist and therapist, you will help patients avoid and manage oral disease by promoting good oral health and providing treatments.

You will work independently on patients, in close liaison with a dental surgeon. For example:

  • evaluating the dental and medical history of patients and planning their care
  • extracting primary teeth and restoration of teeth
  • taking impressions and radiographs

This degree begins with a foundation in biomedical sciences, providing a basis for clinical work as the course progresses. Topics include:

  • physiology
  • craniofacial anatomy
  • pathology of oral disease

Your lecture-based learning continues throughout the degree, with advanced topics such as human disease, managing medical emergencies, and health promotion. 

Clinical work forms a large part of your study programme, helping you develop professional skills for your future career. In your first year, you will begin clinical training. From your second year, you'll be treating patients at Newcastle Dental Hospital and other clinics, under supervision of our expert dental team. 

Highlights of this degree

Quality and ranking

Quality and ranking

Dentistry at Newcastle is highly regarded; we rank 3rd in the UK in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.

We also achieved a 96% overall student satisfaction score in the 2016 National Student Survey, ranking us 3rd in the UK. We also rank in the top 25% in the UK for world-class research (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

We rank 37th in the world for Dentistry in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016.

Professional accreditation

Professional accreditation

This degree has been designed to meet the standards required for accreditation by the General Dental Council (GDC).

As this is a new degree, the GDC will be assessing the programme as it progresses.

Transfer to Dental Surgery degree

Transfer to Dental Surgery degree

Any student registered on this degree may be eligible to apply to transfer to the first year of our Dental Surgery BDS degree at the end of their first year.

This scheme is highly competitive with a limited number of places available each year. To apply you must achieve a Merit in all assessments and have an A level in Chemistry (or equivalent qualification). You will be interviewed as part of the application process and must have a valid UKCAT test score.

Teaching and assessment

Study at the cutting edge

The Dental School has research labs conducting cutting-edge research at the highest international standards. This cutting-edge knowledge feeds into your undergraduate degree, giving you the latest knowledge in the field.

Teaching methods

Benefit from teaching from expert staff, including holders of national teaching fellowships and distinguished scientist awards

Teaching is by a combination of:

  • lectures and seminars
  • laboratory demonstrations (including closed-circuit TV)
  • practical laboratory work
  • clinical demonstrations

Assessment methods

Formal assessment during the first two years takes the form of examinations in January and at the end of each year.

You also undergo continuous assessment in the form of essays and projects, which allows for feedback on your progress.

Assessment of clinical skills is carried out on a continuous basis, with careful feedback so that you can constantly improve your performance and continue to learn

Find out more

Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module. More information about each module including specific assessment methods, credits and contact hours, can be found in the Course Details section.

Visit our Teaching & Learning pages to read about the outstanding learning experience available to all students at Newcastle University

Facilities and support

You will be based in the School of Dental Sciences, which is in the same building as the Dental Hospital. Together with the adjacent Medical School and Royal Victoria Infirmary teaching hospital, it forms one of the largest integrated teaching and hospital complexes in the country.

Facilities

You will have access to a hi-tech Clinical Simulation Unit and the Dental Learning Resource Centre.

Take a virtual tour of our dental teaching and learning facilities or find out more about our facilities on the School website.

Support

You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues. You will also have opportunities to interact with other members teaching staff.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.

Social activities

The School is home to almost 500 undergraduate students. The student-led society, Dentsoc, organises social events to help you settle in and make friends.

Related Degrees

  • Dental Surgery BDS Honours

    Dentistry involves the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases of the mouth

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements
A Level: ABB
IB: 34 points

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