Gateway to Dentistry

Gateway to Dentistry is a six-year, full-time programme at the University of Bristol designed for students who have the potential to become dentists but whose academic profile does not yet meet the entry requirements for the standard five-year BDS. It is a widening participation initiative, which means it is intended specifically for UK students who meet defined criteria related to their educational or social background, and it provides a supported pathway into a clinical career that might otherwise be out of reach. The first year provides the scientific and academic foundations needed to progress into the full dental programme.

Dentistry is a clinical discipline that combines deep knowledge of oral biology, anatomy, and the sciences of materials and disease with the manual skill, communication ability, and professional judgement needed to care for patients safely and effectively. As you progress through the programme, you will study the sciences underlying dental practice, including oral biology, dental materials, and the systemic conditions that affect oral health, alongside clinical training in diagnosis, treatment planning, and restorative, preventive, and surgical techniques. You will work with patients under supervision, developing the skills and confidence to deliver safe and high-quality care in real clinical settings.

The gateway year at the start of the programme gives you the time and support needed to build the academic foundations before you begin clinical training. The typical entry tariff for this programme is 136 UCAS points.

Dentistry graduates have a clear professional pathway. On completing the programme, you will be eligible to register with the General Dental Council and practise as a dentist. Most graduates begin with foundation training in NHS practices, developing their clinical skills under supervision in a structured environment.

From there, the profession offers a wide range of directions, including general practice, hospital dentistry, specialist training in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, or paediatric dentistry, dental public health, academia, and research. Dentistry is a stable and valued profession, and the gateway route exists precisely to ensure that talented individuals from all backgrounds have the chance to enter it.