Overview

Combining foundational biomedical sciences, state-of-the-art clinical simulation, and extensive hands-on patient care is central to preparing autonomous dental practitioners. The Dentistry BDS at King's College London delivers a five-year professional degree within the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences—the largest dental school in the UK. Fully accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC), the curriculum integrates oral biology, pathology, behavioral science, and clinical skills from the first year. Students train across world-renowned clinical facilities, including Guy’s, St Thomas’, and King’s College Hospitals, as well as outreach clinical centers. The program emphasizes whole-person patient care, preventive oral health, evidence-based dentistry, and interprofessional co-training with dental therapy and hygiene scholars. This course is ideally suited for compassionate, manual-dexterity driven, and scientifically rigorous individuals who wish to master complex restorative procedures, deliver holistic oral healthcare, and practice as registered dentists across clinical, hospital, community, or academic settings.

What You'll Learn

• Core human biosciences, craniofacial anatomy, head and neck physiology, and biological systems underpinning oral health

• Oral biology, pathology mechanisms, microbiology, and disease processes affecting oral and maxillofacial structures

• Direct clinical training in operative dentistry, periodontology, endodontics, prosthodontics, and pediatric dentistry

• High-fidelity clinical simulation practices, phantom head laboratory skills, and digital dental technology applications

• Preventive dental care, public health strategies, epidemiology, and community health promotion frameworks

• Diagnostic radiology, radiographic interpretation, local anesthesia administration, and oral surgery fundamentals

• Evidence-based dentistry, research methodologies, scientific literature critique, and clinical decision-making

• Patient communication frameworks, professional ethics, legal regulations, and GDC standards for dental team practice

• Comprehensive patient management across acute hospital clinics, dental outreach centers, and primary care environments

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will possess a comprehensive understanding of human biological systems, oral disease pathologies, pharmacological principles, and clinical dental sciences. They will demonstrate the capability to perform holistic patient assessments, formulate evidence-based treatment plans, execute complex clinical dental procedures, and manage emergency dental presentations. Students acquire robust practical competencies in restorative techniques, surgical skills, clinical radiography, and digital workflow application through immersive phantom head simulation, clinical observations, and direct patient care. Furthermore, scholars master the ability to communicate empathetically with diverse patient populations, collaborate within multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and adhere strictly to legal, ethical, and professional governance frameworks. Upon graduation, students fulfill the statutory educational outcomes required to gain professional registration as a dentist with the General Dental Council (GDC), preparing them to enter foundation training and excel as primary care practitioners, hospital dental surgeons, orthodontic specialists, or academic dental researchers.