Dentistry 2026 personal statement guide

Alongside great grades, you’re looking for ways to catch the eye of the admissions tutor and nab an interview for a place on one of these demanding courses.

Not all dental schools assess your personal statement as part of your initial application, so the first thing you need to do is read each school’s specific entry requirements. However, most universities will still refer to your personal statement during your interview, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. Read more advice in our dentistry subject guide.

General advice about writing your personal statement

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples:

• Explain what first attracted you to dentistry and what, as the University of Manchester puts it, 'has sustained or confirmed this choice’. It could be a TV programme, work or personal experience that has led to your commitment to a career in dentistry. Maybe Operation Ouch! was your jumping off point when you were younger or you’ve always been curious at dentist check-ups, asking questions and looking at your X-rays. Be honest about what's fuelling your ambitions, particularly if you’re driven by the impact you can have on society at large, rather than the earning potential.
• The Dental Schools Council says ‘Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they are making an informed choice to study dentistry through career exploration’. Illustrate your knowledge of the dental profession through mentioning books and journals you’ve read, such as the British Dental Journal, careers sites you’ve looked at, and any work experience or shadowing opportunities you’ve had in a dental or healthcare environment, and why they made you want to become a dentist.
• The University of Sheffield's dental school also wants you to show you’ve researched the possible career opportunities, and how these compare to other healthcare professions. For example, you could write about how dentistry covers a cosmetic component, as well as pain relief, and how or why that’s important. 

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples:

• As well as evidence of your commitment to the profession, King’s wants you to demonstrate a 'realistic appreciation of the academic, physical, and emotional demands of a dental degree programme and career’. Can you give examples of how you’ve already succeeded with rigorous academic study, and the relevant skiills you’ve picked up such as self-motivation, resilience, and attention to detail?
• If there’s a topic you particularly enjoyed at school, such as human anatomy, relate it to the course you’re applying to and what you want to learn next.
• Use studying for your science exams as a way to show how you’ve developed skills such as goal-setting, problem-solving, organisation, and conscientiousness.
• Have you done any online courses to boost your knowledge in the subject? For example, why not try Subject Spotlights or Virtual Work Experiences from Springpod to grow your skills and interest? 

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education, or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples:

• Almost all universities will expect you to have some work experience, or to have observed dentistry or another healthcare profession. Whatever experience you’ve had, make sure you write about  the insights you’ve gained into the profession, and that you understand the demands of a dentistry degree and career. Even better if you can back up your reflections with examples of when you’ve picked up skills such as good customer service or working well under pressure.
• University of Sheffield expects your work experience to be in a general dental practice. Liverpool says it should ideally be in a dental practice or hospital 'and preferably in more than one establishment’. Bristol would like you to have experienced various fields of dentistry, such as general practice, hospital, community or laboratory. Always remember to relate what you’ve learned to your understanding of the dental profession.
• King’s adds that if you’ve been unable to observe in a dental establishment then, at the very least, they want you to reflect on any work experience you’ve had in a caring environment or in another setting where you’ve interacted with the general public. Think about part-time jobs that reflect these skills, such as working in a cafe, hairdressers, or care home.
• Queen Mary, University of London says on its website ‘Interviewers will consider your interests, talents, and the contribution you can make to the university. We look for applicants who have participated as fully as possible in school or college life, and who have also contributed in some way to the outside community'. Write about clubs and sports teams you’ve taken part in, inside or outside school, as well as any volunteering you’ve done, such as helping an elderly neighbour, or a community fundraising or gardening project.

The key to setting yourself apart in your application is to remember how important the ‘personal’ bit is to your personal statement. What makes you, you?

Most dental schools want to read something about you as a person and your extracurricular interests. Give them a glimpse of what you enjoy doing, and what you feel passionate about or excel at. Be selective and prioritise what you think is paramount. 

Show you have a range of hobbies and interests too, you can manage your time well alongside your studies, you’re well read, well-rounded, and know how to relax when you take a break from studying. Maybe you’re into model-making, crochet, playing an instrument, or maintaining your car or bike. Showing you have manual dexterity, good coordination and attention to detail is also useful in your personal statement. You can also mention sports and hobbies you enjoy that show you can commit to something, as well as know how to relax after a challenging day.

Show your caring attitude, a sense of social responsibility, courtesy, an interest in people and their welfare, or the ability to reassure people and put them at ease. Maybe you have a weekend job at a hairdresser’s or part-time work in a doctor’s surgery. Think about how you can demonstrate these skills and what makes you stand out. 

1. Research the course: Why do you want to study dentistry, what specific aspects of the course interest you, how does it relate to your academic studies, and what additional reading or other activities have led you to apply? 
2. Organisation: To study dentistry, you need to demonstrate you’re capable of managing yourself and the demands of the course, whether that’s through your previous academic studies or part-time work you do.
3. Examples of your relevant skills: Can you describe situations where you’ve demonstrated relevant skills like effective communication and explaining complex information simply and coherently?
4. Making your work experience count: It’s not just what you've done but how you've reflected on it. If you work-shadowed a dentist or someone else in a caring profession, spell out exactly what you personally gained from it. 
5. Transferable skills: Whether through extracurricular or supercurricular activities, work experience or a part-time job, you’ll have lots of skills that will be relevant to your course. Try to think outside the box – ok, so you compete in go-karting in your spare time; show how you’re up for a challenge and have goal-setting, problem-solving, organisation, and mechanical skills.

Read the Dental Schools Council’s Entry Requirements for UK and Ireland Dental Schools for further information on understanding what each dental school is looking for, how they rate your personal statement, and what (if any) admissions test they use.