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How often have you been asked to provide advice on a career in dentistry and the selection of dental schools to include in an application for university entrance? If, in common with most colleagues, your answer is ‘on a regular basis’, and in giving advice you are uncertain about specific details, or where to direct ‘wannabe’ dentists, and possibly their parents for up-to-date information, then CU@DENTALSKL – a guide to UK dental schools and dentistry as a career can come to your rescue.
CU@DENTALSKL, the only comprehensive guide to a career in dentistry and dental schools in the UK, has just been republished as an expanded up-to-date second edition. Having proved very popular with those aspiring to embark on a career in dentistry, the book has also found great favour in school and sixth form libraries, as well as on the shelves of careers advisors. This generously illustrated, handsomely produced guide, over and above fulfilling its primary purpose, provides valuable insight into the different emphases and characteristics of the various primary dental degree programmes presently available in the UK. The typical reaction of established practitioners to the information about curricula and illustrations of dental school facilities included in the guide is: ‘Well, it certainly wasn't like that in my day’. Dental education and dental schools have certainly changed in recent years, and in no small measure. As may be gleaned from even an initial skim through CU@DENTALSKL, future generations of professional colleagues are clearly being educated and trained in attractive, modern and innovative facilities that are fit for purpose – an increasing number of which are in outreach community settings. What has been achieved by the Deans and Heads of dental schools in the UK in recent years, working in partnership with their universities, NHS Trusts, the Departments of Health and other stakeholders is remarkable and most commendable.
One of the most helpful and intriguing elements of CU@DENTALSKL, according to feedback on the highly successful first edition of this guide, is the ‘personal stories’ of colleagues drawn from across the ever-expanding spectrum of dentistry – from dental students and vocational dental practitioners to the Chair of the General Dental Council, Chief Dental Officers, the Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and the President of the British Dental Association. Common themes in these engaging stories include: ‘I never expected to do all the things I have done, and continue do, in dentistry, let alone the doors it has opened for me’; and ‘No regrets – if I had my time over, I would again opt for a career in dentistry’. Colleagues who are looking for new challenges, inspiration or possibly a role model or two in the profession may well find the CU@DENTALSKL personal stories to be motivating and pointing the way to finding new levels of professional satisfaction.
The production of the second edition of CU@DENTALSKL, like the first edition of this unique guide, was a great team effort by the dental schools, many colleagues, too numerous to mention here, and, not to forget, the publisher and his publication team. Without lots of unswerving help and support, the second edition of the guide may have fallen short of expectation, and failed to realize its goal. With dentistry remaining a very popular career choice, and attracting the very best students into dental schools being an individual and collective responsibility of the existing members of the profession, you are encouraged to acquire a copy of, and to promote, the second edition of CU@DENTALSKL. All the royalties from the sale of this modestly priced guide will, as did the royalties from the first edition, be donated to the British Dental Students Association and a number of dental charities. There is no better time than now to order your copy(ies) of CU@DENTALSKL, the ideal publication to pull off the shelf when you are next asked to advise an enthusiastic ‘wannabe’ dentist, or give a career talk in your local school, college or academy. You may even become envious of students about to embark on their dental degree programme, as the first phase of dental careers, most of which may well run through until the mid to late 2060s and beyond – a prospect to reflect on when you read your copy of CU@DENTALSKL.
