Planning to do dentistry in the UK, is it worth doing 1 year in Poland?

[PhotonMan62]

As in the title, I'm planning to study dentistry in the UK (in the end I plan to move back home to Canada, but studying there is problematic since there is a big risk of not getting into dental school after 2-4 years of useless undergraduate studies - UK seems the better option for now).

I sadly missed the UKCAT deadline this year by two days (totally my fault, had no idea the deadline was that early), so I theoretically have a free year ahead of me. I currently live in Poland, so I was thinking I might as well start studying here in case I don't get into dental school in the UK. But now I'm thinking that the recruiters could look at this in two ways:
1) Having done Y1 dentistry, I have a good grasp of academic chemistry and biology and this experience would make me a worthwhile student.
2) Since I'm already studying dentistry in Poland, why should they accept me into a UK school? My application goes into the trash.

This is really boggling my mind now, as it is very important for me to study dentistry in English since I plan to move to Canada. The Polish degree is literally just a failsafe for me.

If anyone has knowledge of how recruiters react to people already studying in university, I would really appreciate sharing it.

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[CamTheFirst]

As in the title, I'm planning to study dentistry in the UK (in the end I plan to move back home to Canada, but studying there is problematic since there is a big risk of not getting into dental school after 2-4 years of useless undergraduate studies - UK seems the better option for now).

I sadly missed the UKCAT deadline this year by two days (totally my fault, had no idea the deadline was that early), so I theoretically have a free year ahead of me. I currently live in Poland, so I was thinking I might as well start studying here in case I don't get into dental school in the UK. But now I'm thinking that the recruiters could look at this in two ways:
1) Having done Y1 dentistry, I have a good grasp of academic chemistry and biology and this experience would make me a worthwhile student.
2) Since I'm already studying dentistry in Poland, why should they accept me into a UK school? My application goes into the trash.

This is really boggling my mind now, as it is very important for me to study dentistry in English since I plan to move to Canada. The Polish degree is literally just a failsafe for me.

If anyone has knowledge of how recruiters react to people already studying in university, I would really appreciate sharing it.

Since you are Canadian, find a place when you can get into Canada quite easily. For example a dentistry degree from Ireland will get back into Canada with no issues according to the latest mutual recognition agreement:
http://www.atlanticbridge.com/agree...commission-on-dental-accreditation-of-canada/

Talk to the Atlantic Bridge.

 

[PhotonMan62]

Since you are Canadian, find a place when you can get into Canada quite easily. For example a dentistry degree from Ireland will get back into Canada with no issues according to the latest mutual recognition agreement:
http://www.atlanticbridge.com/agree...commission-on-dental-accreditation-of-canada/

Talk to the Atlantic Bridge.

That's interesting! I heard about the reciprocal agreement but from the research I've done they're quite hostile to non-Irish students. They also apparently expect prospective students to already have an undergraduate degree. Still, never hurts to try, so I entered my info and requested an application.

I'm actually still thinking about actually starting from scratch in Canada, but the whole undergraduate thing really scares me. Studying a field that is not even directly connected to your job for 2-4 years, and then learning you were not accepted into dental school seems absolutely horrible, and it's a real risk.

 

[Medstart108]

That's interesting! I heard about the reciprocal agreement but from the research I've done they're quite hostile to non-Irish students. They also apparently expect prospective students to already have an undergraduate degree. Still, never hurts to try, so I entered my info and requested an application.

I'm actually still thinking about actually starting from scratch in Canada, but the whole undergraduate thing really scares me. Studying a field that is not even directly connected to your job for 2-4 years, and then learning you were not accepted into dental school seems absolutely horrible, and it's a real risk.

Are UK dental degrees recognized in Canada without any additional work?

 

[PhotonMan62]

Are UK dental degrees recognized in Canada without any additional work?

Sadly, no, only Ireland offers that. A UK degree would require nostrification in the US or Canada, which is apparently very tough for Europeans. One would have to get into an American or Canadian university's program for foreign graduates, complete it (usually 2 years), and then do residency as well.

For that reason, I'm seriously giving thought to doing an undergrad degree in Canada and then trying for dental school. But it would really be crushing if it would turn out to have been a waste of 2 years if I don't get in. Still a very tough decision for me.

 

[Medstart108]

Sadly, no, only Ireland offers that. A UK degree would require nostrification in the US or Canada, which is apparently very tough for Europeans. One would have to get into an American or Canadian university's program for foreign graduates, complete it (usually 2 years), and then do residency as well.

For that reason, I'm seriously giving thought to doing an undergrad degree in Canada and then trying for dental school. But it would really be crushing if it would turn out to have been a waste of 2 years if I don't get in. Still a very tough decision for me.

Oh i see, well then why don't you just go to Ireland for dentistry then? If Ireland offers ur degree recognition in Canada then go to Ireland? If not then go to Canada

 

[PhotonMan62]

Oh i see, well then why don't you just go to Ireland for dentistry then? If Ireland offers ur degree recognition in Canada then go to Ireland? If not then go to Canada

One does not "just" go to Ireland. It's really tough to get in, especially since there's competition from the US and Canada, and I assume they would already have undergraduate degrees. Still, I requested an application, just in case.

 

[Medstart108]

One does not "just" go to Ireland. It's really tough to get in, especially since there's competition from the US and Canada, and I assume they would already have undergraduate degrees. Still, I requested an application, just in case.

Are you applying as EU or as a Canadian?

 

[PhotonMan62]

Are you applying as EU or as a Canadian?

Their "request application" form just asks you to list your citizenship, so I wrote in both.

 

[PhotonMan62]

UPDATE: I just got a reply from Atlantic Bridge. This is the info they gave me. Basically, you need a bachelor's degree to even be considered.

ELIGIBILITY: US and Canadian students who will have completed (i) a bachelor's degree and (ii) one or more college-level courses in (a) biology, (b) chemistry and (c) either physics or mathematics by September 1, 2014 are eligible to apply for Fall 2014 entry to the courses listed below. These are the minimum application requirements for North American candidates, and there are no further specifications.

• 4-year DENTISTRY course at University College Cork

• 5-year DENTISTRY course at Trinity College Dublin

• 5-year DENTISTRY course at Queens University Belfast