Empowering Tomorrow’s Dentists

In 2018, Dundee University implemented its new curriculum – titled ‘Dentistry at Dundee Driven by Discovery – or 4D for short.  The curriculum places a huge emphasis on interactive classes where engagement and discussions are encouraged, compared to conventional lectures where people may be apprehensive to ask questions.  There are also frequent group work assignments throughout the course, where we will present to the year group and share our presentations, followed by discussions and questions, replacing the need for this content to be in a lecture.  The main selling point for many students is the early clinical exposure – starting with shadowing older students and assisting their treatment, before seeing their own patients by the end of 1st year.  This is paramount to building confidence in clinics and around patients. 

The dental school has recently undergone renovations across most of the student clinics, giving us access to modern equipment that allows us to learn and treat patients in the best environment possible.  We have recently opened a new student study area equipped with desks for group and solo study, as well as access to computers and dental textbooks.  This was down to the hard work of the previous school president, who lobbied for a new IT suite within the dental school.  The area has proved very popular with students and is a welcome addition to the school.  The phantom headroom where we practise dental procedures is next in line to be renovated.  I have been consulted at every stage of the design, and although I may never get to use it as I graduate this summer, it will prove vital for ensuring students have the best possible environment for refining their skills. 

Community oral health initiatives are perhaps more important now than ever.  The COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted access to primary dental care, resulting in many people being unable to receive dental care unless it was urgent.  Many dental practices have since gone fully private, leaving many without access to routine NHS dental care, and with the ongoing cost of living crisis creating a further financial barrier.   

Dundee Dental Connect has sought to combat dental inequalities and promote oral health within Dundee.  They are a student-run initiative that regularly visits food banks, homeless shelters, and primary schools where they promote oral health, educate on oral disease and provide toothbrushes and toothpaste to those who need it.  Many staff members have become involved in the project, who help to provide guidance to the students and allow the initiative to thrive and develop.  Over 600 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste were distributed by them in 2023, with over £1000 raised through fundraiser events to allow them to continue their great work in 2024.  

As part of the 4th year curriculum, students are grouped together and tasked with providing an oral care improvement plan.  We visited a range of organisations, including mental health charities, homeless shelters and the Brittle Bones Society, where we spoke to individuals surrounding their oral health needs and how we as young dentists can help them to access dental care.  Staff and service users were invited to the university to watch our presentations and invited to share their experiences and give advice on how we can help these vulnerable groups.   

It can be easy to separate dentistry from the rest of the healthcare team, however, so many systemic conditions have oral manifestations.  Dentists are commonly the first to pick up on other health conditions, from diabetes to eating disorders, so it is important for us to liaise with other healthcare professionals.  The dentistry curriculum involves a placement at Ninewells Hospital where we are given the chance to shadow a maxillofacial surgery consultant, giving us an insight into general medicine while staying within the realms of dentistry.  We also share facilities with oral health science students, whom we work closely with to ensure our patients are given optimal prevention advice and the best care possible for gum disease. 

Dentistry is a profession of ‘life-long learning’ – we are never finished with our education and continue to develop our skills throughout our careers.  Dundee Dental School sets us up well for this with our 4D curriculum.  The aim of this is to make us independent learners from the start – we aren’t spoon-fed information; we are encouraged to do our own research and learn through interactive classes and group work.   

 As you progress through the years, a greater proportion of your learning is practical-based.  Clinical staff monitor your patient care and are always on hand for advice when you require it.  As you get closer to the end of your time at university, you are given more freedom by clinicians, for example with treatment options or material choices.  This can provide valuable teaching opportunities and the chance to undertake treatments which you may not be so confident about.