Most work experience doesn't actually prepare you.

The standard approach: call a local practice, sit in the waiting room, watch from the door... doesn't give you what you need.

It doesn't prepare you to talk about dentistry with real insight.

It doesn't help you write a personal statement that stands out. And it definitely doesn't prepare you for an interview.

We built IWTBAD Work Experience Week because we've been through the process ourselves and we know what universities are actually looking for.

This is structured. This is immersive. This is the kind of experience that changes how you talk about dentistry.

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Work experience will give you, ‘first-hand’ insight into the daily life of a dentist. This would include the clinical, managerial, administrative and leadership roles a dentist would play within the team. Work experience provides individuals the opportunity to evidence their commitment to the career and allows individuals to gain an understanding the scope of practice of a dentist. In addition, this period of observation provides applicants with information and experience to discuss and reflect on in their personal statement and interview.

Candidates should be aware that gaining work experience to satisfy entry requirements is essential, but most important is the capacity of the individual to reflect on their experience. Therefore, it is important to use the experience to share how this has influenced your decision and how the skills and characteristics you observed relate to your personal attributes. 

Observation allows individuals to also gain knowledge regarding the roles and responsibilities of the members of the whole dental team. It is therefore strongly advised to speak to all members of the team and discuss their duties and determine how they play a part in the wider team.