A clinical skills competition to ‘bring out the best’ in dental students
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 6th December 2018
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)’s Faculty of Dental Surgery, together with sponsor Dentsply Sirona are in the midst of a close-fought clinical skills competition for dental students from the UK and Ireland.
With the aim of discovering the UK and Ireland’s most skilled undergraduate dentist, the Dental Clinical Skills Competition is challenging final-year dental students to use their skills against each other in a set of 18 individual heats in dental schools across the British Isles. The winner of each heat will win a travel and accommodation package to compete in the Grand Final at the RCSEd on 28th February 2019.
The RCSEd’s aim is that the competition will complement the basic dental skills taught at undergraduate level in the UK and Ireland and foster self-improvement and excellence in postgraduate dentistry.
Professor Fraser McDonald, Dean of the RCSEd’s Faculty of Dental Surgery commented: ‘This is a unique competition for aspiring young dentists to attempt practical evaluation in areas not often assessed in their normal environment. It allows access to the ambience of the Royal College and its distinctive backdrop and buildings, and friendships forged in this arena are lifelong.’
Mr Brian Nattress, member of the RCSEd’s Dental Council and Senior Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry at the Leeds Dental Institute believes ‘The clinical skills competition really captures the students’ enthusiasm and drive, challenging a range of key clinical dental skills – it’s the dental schools’ equivalent of the Great British Bake Off! There’s a real sense of excitement at the regional heats and a great atmosphere watching the students compete against each other.’
Speaking of Dentsply Sirona’s sponsorship of the competition which is now in its fifth year, Gerry Campbell, Vice President and General Manager of Dentsply Sirona UK, said:
‘We are honoured and delighted to continue our partnership with The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh to celebrate the talented dental clinicians of tomorrow. This competition continues to bring the best out of students. Through our continued commitment to providing innovative solutions for better, faster, safer dentistry and our expansive education programme, it is our desire and privilege to support dental professionals throughout their career.’
Dentsply Sirona are also delighted to be providing the prizes which includes a travel and accommodation package to the Chicago Dental Society Conference plus a digital SLR camera for the winner and an educational visit to the Dentsply Sirona endodontic facility in Switzerland for the runner up.
The exciting Grand Final takes place on Thursday 28th February 2019 at the Royal College in Edinburgh and will be followed by a dinner at the college, at which presentations will be made to the winner and two runners-up. All participants in the competition will receive a certificate of participation and two years’ affiliation to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
To find out more about the Dental Skills Competition and keep track of heat winners as they are announced, go to or you can either follow the RCSEd Faculty of Dental Surgery on social media via or Dentsply Sirona @dentsplysirona.uk and #dentalskillscomp.
To find out more about the Dentsply Sirona extensive range of dental solutions, materials and equipment, please visit dentsplysirona.com or call us on 01932 853 422.
For more information on Dentsply Sirona Academy and to access a range of education resources, video tutorials, courses and CPD webinars go to dentsplysirona.com/ukeducation
