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Dentist, Is she well-enough qualified?

(13 Posts)
Cabbie21 Tue 13-Apr-21 17:09:21

Our dentist, sadly now retired, was a Leeds graduate. He was brilliant, always seeking solutions to preserve teeth rather than extract them. He loved reconstructing teeth which others would have removed.
When I was a student at Leeds I had some dental work done at the Dental School. The students did a great job, properly supervised of course, snd that work has lasted 50 years.
So your dentist has great qualifications!

janeainsworth Tue 13-Apr-21 16:59:57

BChD is exactly the same qualification as BDS. Leeds is the only dental school which awards it.

It means Leeds graduates can easily spot each other. They don’t have to resort to the more subtle observations (preference for certain techniques or instruments, or amusing anecdotes about certain academics, for example) that other graduates do.

suziewoozie Tue 13-Apr-21 16:23:16

The best place to check is on the register for Dentists which is maintained by the General Dental Council. As long as they are on that, they are suitably qualified. They also register all dental care professionals such as dental nurses, hygienists, therapists, technicians and so on. It’s easy to check through their webpage. It also tells you if there are any restrictions on their practice .

Deedaa Tue 13-Apr-21 15:55:50

It's quite usual for a dentist to send you elsewhere for certain things. DH went to one at the local hospital for an extraction when he was on blood thinners and immunosuppressed and I went to another surgery for what my dentist thought would be a difficult extraction.(It was actually done so easily I didn't realise it was out)

Chardy Tue 13-Apr-21 15:46:24

Leeds Uni has more applications per place than any other UK university. It's a 5 yr course that likes AAA entry qualification. Sounds like she's qualified to me.

Nannarose Tue 13-Apr-21 14:55:52

As with doctors of medicine (and surgery) there are different ways to qualify. Some universities can award a degree in dentistry, but some, especially in the past, entered their students for the BDS.
There were historical reasons for the different routes.
I worked with a lovely dentist - she specialised in children & adults with special needs. Her father had been a dentist, and he was 'grandfathered' - the term used when qualifications became mandatory and those who had practised for years were allowed to demonstrate their competence.

M0nica Tue 13-Apr-21 14:10:07

She would not be allowed to practice as a dentist if she was not properly qualified. As it is an offence created by the Dentists Act 1984.

In accordance with section 38 of that Act, it is a criminal offence for a person who is not a registered dentist or a registered dental care professional to practise dentistry, or hold themselves out whether directly or by implication as practising or as being prepared to practise dentistry.

annodomini Tue 13-Apr-21 13:53:39

Ch is an abbreviation for Chirugia, meaning surgery - Ancient Greek, I think. Medics often have ChB as a qualification.

GrannySomerset Tue 13-Apr-21 13:51:02

An early term for surgeon was chirugeon which explains your dentist’s degree - bachelor of dental surgery.

Aveline Tue 13-Apr-21 13:41:55

Bachelor of dental surgery. Should be very well qualified!

lemsip Tue 13-Apr-21 13:37:17

I recently had a tooth extracted by a new dentist surgery, I had a problem after and she said I needed the gum cut and stitched which she wasn't qualified to do. That surprised me. I had to see another dentist where a fragment of bone was removed.

BlueBelle Tue 13-Apr-21 13:08:11

Well according to google is a dentistry degree and took 5 years to achieve so I would thing she’s perfectly well qualified

NanaSuzy Tue 13-Apr-21 13:02:48

I have a new dentist, she seems very nice, but her qualification is something called BchD (Leeds). Is this an adequate qualification? All dentists I've seen in the past have been BDS. Anyone know about this, I'd be glad to hear back.