Recent changes in UK dental school admissions

Admissions to UK dental schools through the UCCA system have been studied for the 10 years from 1983 to 1993. Over this period the number of home students admitted has dropped from 885 in 1983 to 776 in 1993 (a 12% decrease) while the number of overseas students admitted has risen from 34 to 93. At the same time there has been noticeable increase in the numbers of mature home students admitted, with the proportions of over-21s, over-25s and over-30s all increasing between 1983 and 1993. The proportion of female dental students admitted has also risen (in 1993 49% of home students and 57% overseas students). The average A-level score of entrant students has varied little over this period, and remains high compared with most other subjects studied at university. Most of the changes in dental student admissions reported here are likely to reduce the pool of full-time dental manpower available to the country in future years.