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Kings

Dentistry at University of King's Dental School (A200 BDS)

Overview of King's College London Dentistry

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King's Dentistry BDS course combines the latest thinking in dental education with early clinical experience. You will be taught by internationally renowned staff and exposed to a rich breadth of skills and knowledge in a diverse clinical environment.

Key benefits

  • Evidence-based and research-led degree course with a high level of clinical experience in all areas.

  • Teaching excellence (Dentistry at King’s was ranked 1st in the UK in the 2021 QS subject rankings)

  • State-of-the-art clinical, simulation and technical facilities.

  • Largest dental school in the UK graduating around 150 dentists a year.

  • Partnership with the world-famous hospitals: Guy's, King's College and St Thomas'.

  • Taught alongside Dental Therapy & Hygiene students.

  • Opportunity to intercalate a BSc degree.

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KCL Dentistry Course Structure

The curriculum enables students to assist in the dental care of patients from year one and assume an appropriate level of responsibility for patient care at an early stage. Throughout your degree, the balance of teaching will shift from theoretical and academic science to practical and clinical experience. The final three years of the course are designed to give students extensive clinical exposure with structured placements for practice in the community, as part of a dental team, providing care in diverse settings.


The working environment is structured into cross-year undergraduate teams so that students benefit from working and studying with the same group of teachers and peers throughout their time at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences.

King's College London Dentistry Entry Requirements

GCSE

grade 6/B in both English Language and Mathematics if not offered at A-level.

A Levels

A*AA at A level including Biology or Chemistry, in addition to studying one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. If Maths is being used to meet the subject requirement, then we cannot consider Further Maths as the third A-Level. Please note that A-levels in General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all science subjects.


Resits are accepted for A Levels at King's BDS Dental School.

IB

35 points including 766 at Higher Level, with HL Chemistry or HL Biology, and an additional one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths (either Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation) or Psychology at Higher Level at grade 6. The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE. Additionally, grade 5 at Standard Level is required in English and Mathematics if not offered at GCSE.

Scottish Higher

AAA at Higher in one sitting and AA at Advanced Higher (we do not count the Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject). Must include grade A in Advanced Higher Chemistry or Biology, and an additional one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths or Psychology (we do not count the Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject).

Scottish Advanced

Maths and English are required at Intermediate 2/ Standard Credit Grade 1 or 2/National 5 with B.

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King's College Dentistry Admission Tests

UCAT

UCAT at the University of King's Dental School (BDS)


The UCAT is considered in a holistic manner, traditionally the university has required high GCSE grades. 


UCAT (50%) + GCSEs (40%, ranked on number of A* - full points if 8A*) + 10% Contextual


Look at UCAT + SJT [Traditionally high UCAT score needed]

👉🏼 LOWEST UCAT Score INVITED TO INTERVIEW at Kings Dental School (ie King's Dentistry UCAT Cut Off Scores) (non-WP):

  • 2023 & 2024 Entry: Not released by dental school

  • 2022 Entry: 2360

  • 2021 Entry: 2260 

  • 2020 Entry: 2400


👉🏼 AVERAGE UCAT Score INVITED TO INTERVIEW at King's BDS:

  • 2023 Entry: 2866

  • 2022 Entry: 2812

  • 2021 Entry: 2721

  • 2020 Entry: 2638


👉🏼 Application Statistics at King's Dentistry:

  • 2022 Entry: 1132 Applications, 299 Interviews, 183 Offers

  • 2021 Entry: 938 Applications, 408 Interviews, 181 Offers

  • 2020 Entry: 867 Applications, 356 Interviews, 257 Offers


✅ King's Selection Criteria

For the 2023 cycle, applicants who had already met the entry requirements had their personal statement and reference reviewed for suitability. 


It was expected that the personal statement demonstrated an interest in studying Dentistry. Neither the personal statement nor reference were scored. 


Applications demonstrating suitability against the entry requirements and in relation to their personal statement and reference were then ranked according to their UCAT score (total score and SJT band) compared to other applicants, with improvement given for GCSE results (number of A*s) as well as an improvement on ranking if considered a Widening Participation (WP) applicant.



📝 PS - Have your PS checked - 5⭐ Rated

🎙️ Interviews - 1-1 Dentistry Interview (Panel & MMI) Tutoring & Mocks Online tailored to King's College London - 5⭐ Rated

BMAT

No

GAMSAT

No

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Course Information

Graduate Entry

Yes

Intercalation

Yes

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Kings Dental School Work Experience

We would normally expect that applicants will have undertaken some voluntary work experience in a caring environment and/or observation in a clinical setting. If this is not possible, we look for evidence that you have worked in a setting where you can interact with the general public, e.g. in a pharmacy, check-out or restaurant.

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KCL Dentistry Personal Statement

Yes 


Used in the assessment of application. We are looking particularly for evidence of appropriate commitment to, and realistic appreciation of, the academic, physical and emotional demands of a dentistry degree programme and career.

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Does This Medical School Have A Gateway or Foundation Year?

Website

Description

Criteria

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King's College London Dentistry Interview Questions 2024

Key Details

  • King's College London Dental School (BDS) uses an MMI - Multiple Mini Interview format

  • Each station lasts 3-5 minutes long

  • Though not stated, King’s College l used to have 4-7 MMI stations, with 90 seconds between each station of their dentistry interview

  • The interview will be held online - confirmed for 2023 entry

  • The interviewers include King’s academics, clinicians, students and service users

Important Dates

  • The interview process is divided into two blocks, which are determined based on the UCAT scores of the candidates.

  • The first round of interviews is scheduled for November and December of 2023.

  • The second phase of interviews is usually held during the spring season of the following year, specifically between February to April 2024.

Key Topics


🎓 King's College London Dentistry Interview Questions & Topics for 2024 & 2025 entry


Several topics are more likely to come up at the University of King's College London Dental School MMI Interview, which can be derived from past King's College London MMI stations and information on their website.


What do King's College London look for at their dentistry A200 BDS interview?


The evaluation criteria for admission to King's BDS course includes various factors such as:

  • The candidate's proficiency in communication

  • Their awareness of social and ethical issues prevalent in Dentistry

  • Their suitability for the course

  • Their potential contribution to the university, and the skills that make a good dentist

  • Additionally, the candidate's practical skills and manual dexterity will also be taken into consideration during the selection process.


💯 King's College London MMI Interview Questions Scoring 2024 & 2025 entry


  • At the end of the MMI's, your score for each station will be added together to give you a total score.

  • Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their King's College London application by 31 March.


❓  King's College London Interview Questions - Past, Recent & Likely Questions 2024 & 2025 entry


Motivation to study Dentistry

  1. Why Dentistry?

  2. Why King's College London?

  3. What did you learn from your dental work experience?

  4. What qualities of a dentist did you see from your dental work experience?

  5. What is the role of prevention in dentistry?

  6. What do you know about the King's College London Dentistry course? How is it taught?

  7. Why do you think you will be well suited to this course?

  8. Why Dentistry and not medicine or nursing?

  9. What are your hobbies?

  10. Are there any societies you would like to join in King's College London?


Personal Insight/Qualities

  1. Why should patients trust you?

  2. Are you good at simplifying ideas?

  3. How would your friends describe you?

  4. What are your best qualities?

  5. How do you manage stress?

  6. How can you illustrate to us that you are a good leader?

  7. Can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated resilience?

  8. Give us an example of a time when you demonstrated teamwork.

  9. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

  10. How would your friends describe you?

  11. How would you handle complaints and criticism?

  12. Give us an example of a time when you were resilient. Why is this important in dentistry?

  13. What's your favourite medium as an artist?

  14. Tell us about an article that you have recently read.


Dental Situations

  1. I'm at A&E where a patient comes in with health complications that originate from dental disease. Can you explain how that can happen?

  2. What is it called when a dental infection spreads to the jaw and neck?

  3. If a patient collapses in the waiting room, how would you assess them?


NHS & Local Area

  1. What is the CQC?

  2. What are AGPs?

  3. What is NICE?

  4. What is the GDC?

  5. What do you know about how the NHS charges for appointments?

  6. What are the NHS values, and why are they important?

  7. What is it like to be a dentist?

  8. How do you deal with overpopulation?

  9. What do you know about the local area here in King's College London?

  10. What are the main challenges facing the future of dentistry in the UK?

  11. What are the greatest challenges facing healthcare as a whole, and dentistry in particular?

  12. How has COVID changed the way that dental practices operate?

  13. How does oral health differ here compared to other areas in the UK?


Ethical Scenarios

  1. Understanding of the four ethical principles

  2. Should all dentists have good teeth?

  3. If you notice that a colleague has turned up to work drunk, what would you do?

  4. Who can you escalate concerns to within a practice?


Other Stations including Manual Dexterity

  1. Is it necessary to know the chemistry behind the materials you'll use as a dentist?

  2. Talk us through this article - what do you know about the authors? What are they arguing here?

  3. Photo: the image of decayed teeth - describe what you see here

  4. Role play: explain to someone how to tie shoelaces

  5. What interests do you have that has allowed you to develop your manual dexterity?

  6. Role play: teach this person how to build this origami plane

  7. Role play: the nurse leaves the room to attend to an emergency, and speak to the patient (general talk)

  8. Example role play station (from the King's College London Dental website): You have recently started University and have been working hard on your first assignment which is due for submission shortly. You mention to a classmate that you are nervous about the assignment. Your classmate replies that they are not nervous as they have found a website where you can pay someone to write an essay for you, which is guaranteed to pass. How do you respond to this? An actor will play the part of your classmate.

  9. Example role play station (from the King's College London Dental website): A 15-year-old girl attends your practice with her Mother and is complaining of a toothache. After your initial examination, you decide to take an x-ray of the tooth. As part of the routine procedure, you ask the patient if there is any chance she could be pregnant. She originally says no, but once her Mother has left the room informs you that she has recently discovered that she is pregnant and is scared that the treatment may harm her baby. How would you react to this situation?


👉🏼 Read more: 230+ Dentistry Interview Questions for 2024


🗣️ King's College London Dentistry Interview Tips for 2024 & 2025 Entry


  1. Practice Role Plays: Role plays are unique to Dentistry MMI interviews as they do not tend to occur in panel interviews. The only way to ace these stations is to practice! There are so many different Dentistry role-play scenarios that can come up, it is paramount that you read about tips for answering role-play scenarios. You might want to also consider practising this with a Dentistry interview tutor, or booking a 1-1 online mock interview.

  2. How to answer the “Why King's College London” question. Make sure that you can differentiate King's College London from other dental schools in the UK. Model answer - “I am excited to apply to this dental school because of its excellent reputation and commitment to providing high-quality dental education. I have researched various dental schools and found that this institution stands out in terms of its comprehensive curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, and distinguished faculty members. Furthermore, I am impressed with the school's emphasis on hands-on experience, which I believe is crucial for a successful dental career. I am eager to gain practical skills and knowledge that will allow me to become a competent and compassionate dentist. Moreover, I appreciate the school's focus on community service and outreach programs, which aligns with my own values and desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. I am eager to contribute to such initiatives and work with other like-minded individuals towards a common goal. Overall, I believe that this dental school will provide me with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experiences to achieve my career goals and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I am excited about the prospect of joining this community of dedicated dental professionals and contributing to its legacy of excellence.”

  3. Dress well - What to wear for your King's College London Dental Interview - King's College London asks you to dress smartly as if you were going to a job interview. Make sure you dress appropriately so you then feel as comfortable as possible at the interview. Also, check your email from King's College London as there are various documents they ask you to bring on the day.

  4. Know your personal statement - reread any books or papers mentioned in your dental personal statement and try to follow up on any research that has been done on the topic since. This makes it easier to discuss should this be raised in the interview. These frequently come up at interviews - so make sure you can talk about everything written on your Dentistry personal statement and your UCAS reference.

  5. Have examples ready to use: many of the questions asked at King's College London are example-based, ie, they require you to draw on examples from your personal life, dental work experience and dental volunteering to help make key points that the selectors are looking at. As such, it is paramount that you spend time learning about these examples and thinking about different scenarios that you can use at the interview. It is helpful if these scenarios are malleable and apply to questions e.g. being a football captain, deputy head girl or playing in the school orchestra.

  6. Personal Attributes - King's College London has mentioned that they will ask you about personal attributes during the MMI interview. As such it is paramount that you go through and learn these. King's College London has asked questions concentrating on your strengths and weaknesses, so ensure you have suitable examples. Check out our 200+ interview question and answer guide for dealing with similar interview questions. 

  7. Know the dentist training pathway: this is useful to mention in answers to show awareness about the career in Dentistry - and demonstrates that you have a considered approach. Fortunately, we have created a guide for you to learn about the dentistry training pathway here.

  8. Read the MMI instructions carefully - you get enough time to read the instructions provided before the MMI station. Make sure that you don’t miss anything from this. Plan how you will structure your answer in the reading time provided. You must practice MMI questions and ensure you think about your structure for as many questions as possible before your interview.

  9. MMI Stations - remember that each MMI station at King's College London is independent of the other. Therefore it is paramount that you try to treat them as such, if you have a bad station, try to forget about it and reset for the next station, this gives you the best chance of scoring well overall. Read our ultimate guide to preparing for Dentistry MMIs here.

  10. Know the King's College London Course - we would always recommend doing this for every university that you plan to apply to. It is paramount that you know about the different topics covered each year. How does this differ from other universities? What is their policy on intercalation? Have you any idea about what you would plan to intercalate in at King's College London if you could or need to? If relevant, what do you know about graduate entry dentistry there? Remember there is very early clinical exposure at King's College London - this can be an advantage!

  11. Know the local area - King's College London is a diverse region of England, in London, with a number of local factors and diseases that differentiate the King's College London region from the rest of the UK. Ensure that you research factors that can influence the oral health of residents of the area. How might this impact dentistry provision in the area?

  12. Reflect Well - the King's College London Dentistry selectors love reflection, make sure that you are good at not just stating what you have learnt, but also how this helped and what you benefitted from, and what you will carry forward about this at dental school and in clinical Dentistry. This is especially true when reflecting on your dental work experience during the dentistry interview, or if you are applying with low grades to study dentistry or have taken a gap year before applying to study dentistry or via dentistry clearing.

  13. Don’t over-rehearse - this is a common theme amongst interview students and is very obvious to a trained examiner. As such, we would recommend focusing on the structure of your answer, and then naturally letting it flow when speaking to the answers, concentrating on the delivery of your interview answers. Read about our top tips for Dentistry interviews here. If you are struggling with this, consider booking sessions with an expert Dentistry interview tutor or via one of our Dentistry Application Packages.

  14. Learning about the non-academic societies at King's College London is important and might augment your Why Dentistry question as well as help you formulate an answer to how you will contribute to life at King's College London University. Spend time on their website, or looking at their Instagram for ideas about societies that you could think about joining.

  15. Learn dental ethics & NHS Hot Topics - you will likely be asked about dental ethics at a Dentistry interview at King's College London, so there is no excuse not to brush up on your knowledge on these topics. Learn how to provide a balanced argument. Check out some of our free articles on NHS Hot Topics and our ultimate guide to applying to dentistry here. It is good if you have an opinion on them, as long as you present a balanced and well-reasoned argument, which side you choose does not matter but is helpful to have. Check out our bank of 200+ Dentistry interview questions.

  16. Learn the NHS Core Values - This can be drawn into different answers about personal qualities or qualities of a dentist, which has formed a feature of stations in the past, and a good understanding of these core values will help you stand out against others. It is important to know about the NHS in general for your dental interviews - read our article here on this.

  17. Good dental Practice - King's College London also emphasises knowing the values and qualities of a good dentist, which can be found in this document and are likely to come up at the interview in the MMI stations. This is universal to many universities, and something that we always recommend students cover during their Dentistry interview preparation.

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Contact Details

Faculty of Dentistry

Guy's Tower
Guy's Hospital
London
SE1 1UL
Tel:   020 7118 1164
Web: kcl.ac.uk/dentistry

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Contact one of our qualified admissions team today for free advice on your application