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]

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Student advice and careers blog

Working with your clinical partner

Working with your clinical partner

12024 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

10895 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!

22674 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

14449 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

25114 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.
Transforming oral health: A fellow’s journey

Transforming oral health: A fellow’s journey

33137 min read
Having recently completed the Clinical Oral Health Transformation Fellowship with HEE, the first dental care professional in the role, Frances Robinson AssocFCGDent, explains what was involved.
Why taking photos is an essential skill in dentistry

Why taking photos is an essential skill in dentistry

40006 min read
Mohammed Ahsen Arshad and Ahmed Ahmed, fifth year BDS students at Plymouth University Dental School,  explain the importance of good photography skills in dentistry and how to get accurate and effective images.
Get the most out of your elective

Get the most out of your elective

34184 min read
Ridah Hasan, fourth year BDS student at the University of Sheffield, valued her recent elective in Vietnam and offers her advice on how to get the most out of your elective abroad.
Clinical reflections dissected

Clinical reflections dissected

24185 min read
Aavan K Matharu, fourth year BDS student, Trinity College Dublin, shares her advice on writing an effective and meaningful clinical reflection.
My experience of studying whilst managing a chronic illness

My experience of studying whilst managing a chronic illness

24835 min read
Shona Sawhney, fifth year BDS student, Barts and the London, explains how she has been studying for her degree whilst managing a chronic illness and shares her advice for anyone in a similar situation.