Teaching & Modules
Teaching methods - what to expect
The aim is to prepare registrable and adaptable dental professionals, through a university education that integrates the knowledge, skills, attitudes, ethics and behaviour relating to clinical, professionalism, communication and management and leadership domains. The intention is to produce dental professionals who are fit to practise as a safe beginner at the end of the programme. They will be able to recognise and accept professional responsibilities for the provision of high quality, effective and safe contemporary person-centred care, reflecting on their practice and appreciate the need for continuing professional development. The programme also aims to develop and equip students with a range of professional leadership, teamworking and management skills so they can work as part of an oral healthcare team in primary and secondary care.
The programmes aspire to be world-class and recognised internationally by meeting and exceeding the necessary educational standards and quality benchmarks. As a research-enhanced institute, the programme benefits from the institutional research and offers the opportunity for students to be involved in, and appreciate, the breadth of research in the faculty and the wider university.
The curriculum is formulated around the General Dental Council (GDC) Safe Practitioner Framework (2025). This is the framework for all UK education and training programmes that lead to registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a dental professional. The descriptions under the four domains in the framework together summarise the GDC’s expectations for new dental professionals, or ‘safe practitioners’.
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Possesses the skills and underpinning knowledge to undertake routine clinical and technical procedures and tasks. This includes the ability to apply that knowledge and those skills to specific contexts and situations, patients, and stages of treatment including, where relevant, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and onward referral
Interpersonal skills
Uses interpersonal skills and emotional awareness to enable effective communication with all patients and colleagues which is underpinned by behaving in a caring, compassionate, empathic, and respectful way. Demonstrates effective teamwork and helps foster wellbeing of others.
Professionalism
Demonstrates professionalism and integrity by behaving ethically, shows leadership and social accountability. Is committed to advocating for oral health, promoting good oral health and understands the importance of sustainable service provision in the population and across communities, and addressing priority health needs for the communities.
Self-management
Can self-manage, adapt, and respond to different situations using insight and reflection. Plans and manages their time and keeps up to date with continued learning and development.
By the end of the programme, students will be expected to be able to:
- Practise safely and effectively, making the high-quality long-term care of patients the first concern
- Recognise the role and responsibility of being a registrant and demonstrate professionalism through their education, training and practice in accordance with GDC guidance
- Demonstrate effective clinical decision making
- Describe the principles of good research, how to access research and interpret it for use as part of an evidence-based approach to practice
- Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice, clinical judgment and decision making and utilise critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Accurately assess their own capabilities and limitations, demonstrating reflective practice, in the interest of high-quality patient care and act within these boundaries
- Recognise the importance of lifelong learning and apply it to practice.
The programme employs the following teaching/learning methods and strategies:
- Lectures: Mixed-mode or blended learning combining face-to-face and digital technology (e.g. digital and online resources).
- Participation in seminars, practical laboratory classes, workshops, which require prior preparation, High and Low fidelity simulation.
- Clinical observation to supplement, consolidate and broaden what has been taught
- Participation in clinics to develop principles of thinking and reasoning inpatient management; identification of health at the level of the patient, as well as comparison of normal with diseased and/or treated tissues.
- Self-directed learning: Narrated presentations, recorded online tutorials, online formative assessment
- Student-led peer teaching
- Assessment: Examinations, coursework. Assessment will be formative and summative. Formative assessments will, as far as possible, be designed to include dialogic feedback, peer-assessment and self-assessment linked to reflective practice.
Course Stage | % time in scheduled learning & teaching activities | % time in guided independent study | % time on placements | Credit Value |
Year 1 | 34% | 56% | 10% | 120 |
Year 2 | 11% | 34% | 55% | 120 |
Year 3 | 16% | 27% | 57% | 120 |
Year 4 | 31% | 7% | 62% | 120 |
The timings detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they may change if course modules change. You will normally take modules totaling 510 credits over 4 years (see course structure below). Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work
Assessment
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations and there are ongoing competence-based simulation or clinical assessments throughout the programme which must be passed prior to progress to the next level.
The assessments may include:
Formative:
- E-Portfolio
Summative:
- Computer-based assessments (e.g.: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Situational Judgement tests (SJTs), Ranking Questions)
- Short Answer Questions Examinations
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Written (Typed) Essays
- Case Based Poster presentation
- Structured Clinical Reasoning Examination
- Clinical OSCE’s (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)
- Unseen Clinical scenarios & Structured Oral Test
DISCLAIMER
The information above programme represents the updated GPEP programme that is being introduced by the faculty in 2026/27. Whilst there are no plans to further modify the structure of the programme (as described above), please be aware that some changes may be required in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Modules
Year
The programme is divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 510 credits over 4 years.
- Year one comprises modules totaling 135 credits.
- Year two comprises modules totaling 120 credits.
- Year three comprises modules totaling 120 credits.
- Year four comprises modules totaling 120 credits.
In the first year of the GPEP BDS programme, students study the following modules, all of which are core modules:
- Human Health & Disease I (30 credits)
- Sociology and Psychology in relation to Dentistry (15 credits)
- Law, Ethics, Communication and professionalism (15 credits)
- Simulated Clinical Skills and Dental Materials I (30 credits)
- Integrated Care I (15 credits)
- Professionalism, behaviours and Lifelong Learning (15 credits)
In GPEP Year 1, students build foundational knowledge and begin integrating theoretical concepts with clinical practice. The curriculum focuses on biomedical sciences, social and behavioural aspects of dentistry, clinical skills, and professional development.
Human Disease I (30 Credits): Covers key medical conditions relevant to dental practice, including their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management, ensuring students understand the systemic implications of oral health.
Sociology and Psychology in Relation to Dentistry (15 Credits): Explores patient behaviour, communication strategies, and social determinants of health to enhance patient-centred care.
Law, Ethics, Communication, and Professionalism (15 Credits): Introduces ethical decision-making, legal responsibilities, and effective communication skills required for professional practice.
Simulated Clinical Skills and Dental Materials I (15 Credits): Provides hands-on experience with dental procedures, materials, and instrumentation in a controlled environment before clinical exposure.
Integrated Care I (15 Credits): Focuses on holistic patient management, emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches to diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care.
Professionalism, Behaviours, and Lifelong Learning (15 Credits): Encourages reflective practice, leadership, and continuous professional development to prepare students for evolving roles in dentistry.
By the end of this year, students will have developed essential knowledge and skills to transition into more advanced clinical training and patient care.
Key Information
Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Duration:
Four years
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026
Application deadline:
15 October 2025