Dental Surgery

Dental surgery trains you to become a dental practitioner, equipped to diagnose, prevent and treat diseases and conditions of the mouth, teeth and surrounding tissues. Dentistry is a profession that combines clinical science with skilled manual practice, requiring you to understand the biological and pathological processes affecting oral health while also developing the dexterity and procedural competence to carry out treatments safely and effectively. Good oral health is deeply connected to general health and wellbeing, and dentists contribute to broader public health outcomes as well as to the individual care of their patients.

At the University of Newcastle, this five-year full-time programme prepares you for a career that will have a meaningful impact on society, contributing to better health and reducing long-term healthcare costs. You will study the biological sciences relevant to dentistry, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology, alongside the clinical disciplines of restorative dentistry, oral medicine, periodontology, orthodontics, oral surgery and paediatric dentistry. Clinical training takes place in dental schools and associated clinical settings, where you will develop competence in the full range of procedures that a dentist must be able to perform safely before qualifying.

A year abroad is part of the programme, providing the opportunity to gain clinical and academic experience in a different country and healthcare system. A typical entry tariff of 168 points reflects the level of scientific preparation the programme demands.

Graduates register with the General Dental Council and enter the profession through foundation training in NHS dental practice. Career pathways include general dental practice, specialist practice in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery or periodontology, community dental services, the armed forces dental service, dental public health and academic dentistry. The profession offers significant scope for portfolio development, specialist training and practice ownership, and Newcastle graduates contribute to dental care across the UK and internationally.