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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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

Student Advice

Working with your clinical partner

10614 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.

Careers

Making the move into private practice

9915 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.

Student Advice

Get published!

19364 min read

Clare Denton, editor of Bites, the College’s monthly e-newsletter, offers advice on getting your writing published.

Blog Careers

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

13699 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

Student Advice

Tips for a successful first year at dental school

23444 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.

Blog Careers

Transforming oral health: A fellow’s journey

30737 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.

Student Advice

Why taking photos is an essential skill in dentistry

37376 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.

Student Advice

Get the most out of your elective

32354 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.

Student Advice

Clinical reflections dissected

22475 min read

Aavan K Matharu, fourth year BDS student, Trinity College Dublin, shares her advice on writing an effective and meaningful clinical reflection.

Student Advice

My experience of studying whilst managing a chronic illness

23325 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.

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