Work Experience – Why should we bother?

Gaining work experience in a healthcare field such as Dentistry is essential for any potential Dental student. There is no other way to appreciate the demands of the profession, and shadowing a general dental practitioner for a period of time will give an invaluable insight into the career an applicant may be considering. Entering a vocational degree without a good foundation of the career the degree is training for can result in students dropping out of their degree or leaving the workforce, minimizing the financial return for all stakeholders concerned – the NHS, Office for Students and the students themselves. This editorial will outline difficulties encountered by students seeking work experience and address many of the concerns raised by dental professionals when being asked to provide work experience placements.

There are 17 Dental Schools in the UK and, in general, Universities report applicant to place ratios of between 8 to 16 applicants per place (unpublished data reported by Admissions Staff at UK Dental Schools). A typical offer from a UK Dental School is 3 A levels at grades AAA with some Universities offering A*AA, or a BSc at a 2:1 level. Dentistry applicants also often complete further testing, such as the Universities Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), as specified by each individual University. Furthermore, applicants are often asked to provide evidence of volunteering placements within the wider society, and work experience in a dental setting.