Admissions factors and their associations with performance in dental education: a quantitative study exploring...

Introduction Dental student selection aims to identify individuals who will excel academically and become effective practitioners. However, the predictive value of current admissions criteria remains uncertain. This study explores the relationship between admissions factors and academic performance in a UK undergraduate dental programme.Methods A retrospective analysis of student data from 2014 to 2021 was conducted at a UK dental school. Pre-admission variables were analysed against academic outcomes. Statistical analyses used cumulative link models (ordinal regression).Results Demographic and contextual factors - particularly gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic background - were more consistently associated with academic outcomes than admissions metrics. Interview scores were not strongly associated, while aptitude tests and University and College Application System tariff were only weakly associated with performance outcomes. Students from more affluent backgrounds and white ethnic groups tended to perform better across several clinical and professional judgements.Conclusions Traditional admissions metrics offer limited predictive value for success in dental education. The findings highlight the need for ongoing review of selection criteria and suggest that additional support may be warranted to enable equal performance of students from underrepresented backgrounds. A more holistic and evidence-informed approach to admissions could enhance both equity and effectiveness of dental student selection.