Student advice

The College of General Dentistry is the professional home for dental professionals at all stages of their career – from student or trainee to experienced clinician.

Written by dental students and dental practitioners, this series of advice and careers blogs is designed to support dental students and trainees during your studies and as you transition to real-life dentistry. We would love to hear from you if you’d like to share your experience and write a student advice blog – find out more and get in touch with us at [email protected]

Join us

If you are an undergrad studying a dental qualification in the UK, you are invited to join us. You can join for free as a Student Affiliate, or upgrade to Student Member for £11, to unlock online access to the Primary Dental Journal and our online learning hub. Find out more and join here >

Student advice and careers blog

Our experience of the Certified Membership Scheme

Our experience of the Certified Membership Scheme

5659 min read
Poppy Dunton, a member of the Certified Membership Scheme, and Phill Brown FCGDent, a CMS Facilitator, share their experiences of the programme.
How to get the most out of your Foundation Training

How to get the most out of your Foundation Training

6304 min read
Foundation Dentist and CGDent NextGen Ambassador, Dr Choudhury Rahman, offers tips on how to make the change from undergrad to Foundation Trainee smoother and get the most out of the FD year.
Using self-directed learning at dental school

Using self-directed learning at dental school

1245 min read
Second year Dental Therapy and Hygiene student at the University of Portsmouth, Modupe Ilesanmi, advocates using self-directed learning to improve your performance at dental school.
A dental therapist’s unexpected journey

A dental therapist’s unexpected journey

2706 min read
Dental therapist and business operations manager, Poppy Dunton, reflects on her career in dentistry and how her mantra that “every day is a school day” has supported her development.
10 Top tips for starting your clinical placement

10 Top tips for starting your clinical placement

4326 min read
Fifth year BDS student at the University of Plymouth, Sona Dave, passes on her advice for a successful clinical placement.
Working with your clinical partner

Working with your clinical partner

5444 min read
Both in the fourth year of the BDS at the University of Plymouth, Dilan Patel and Alan Al-Zahawi share their advice on effective teamwork during clinics.
Making the move into private practice

Making the move into private practice

5065 min read
Dr Pouya Zohrabpour, GDP and co-creator of the Two Dentists YouTube Channel, describes his journey towards becoming a fully private associate dentist.
Get published!

Get published!

11544 min read
Clare Denton, editor of Bites, the College’s monthly e-newsletter, offers advice on getting your writing published.
From dental nursing to senior academic in dentistry: a personal career journey

From dental nursing to senior academic in dentistry: a personal career journey

8679 min read
Dr Louise Belfield AssocFCGDent, the first dental nurse in the UK to achieve a PhD, reflects on the key moments, influences and lessons from her career to date
Tips for a successful first year at dental school

Tips for a successful first year at dental school

16644 min read
Sana Hussain, second year BDS student at King’s College London, describes how she made the most of her first year at dental school.

Patients and public | Sign up for College newsletter | Member register | Register of supporters

Privacy policy | Cookie policy | Patients and public | Contact

College of General Dentistry (CGDent), Kemp House, 152-160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX
Company Registration No. 2586636 | Registered Charity No. 1002769